Pinchbeck (alloy)
Pinchbeck is a form of brass, an alloy of copper and zinc mixed in proportions such that it closely resembles gold in appearance. It was invented in the early-18th century by Christopher Pinchbeck (died 1732), a London clock-and watch-maker.[1] Since gold was only sold in 18-carat quality at that time, the development of pinchbeck allowed ordinary people to buy gold-"effect" jewellery on a budget. The inventor allegedly made pinchbeck jewellery clearly labelled as such. Pinchbeck jewellery was used for things like stagecoaches where there was a risk of theft. The original pinchbeck ware was made by Christopher Pinchbeck and his descendants until the 1830s.[1] Later dishonest jewellers passed pinchbeck off as gold; over the years the name came to connotate a cheap and tawdry imitation of gold.[2] Today, depending on the dealer, "Pinchbeck" can mean original Pinchbeck or any gilt metal.[1]
Pinchbeck fell out of favor[3] in the second half of the 19th century after England legalised low-carat gold in 1854.[4]
Pinchbeck is typically composed of copper and zinc in ratios of 89% copper to 11% zinc; or 93% copper to 7% zinc.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Tolkien, Tracy; Wilkinson, Henrietta (1997). A Collector's Guide to Costume Jewelry Key Styles and how to recognize them. Firefly Books. p. 33. ISBN 1552091562.
- ^ "Pinchbeck". World Wide Words.
- ^ Levine, Gilbert; Vookles, Laura L (1986). The Jeweler's Eye: Nineteenth-century Jewelry in the Collection of Nancy and Gilbert Levine. Hudson River Museum. p. 28.
In 1854, the legalization of low-carat gold erased the price advantage that pinchbeck enjoyed, and it fell out of favor.
- ^
Goldemberg, Rose Leiman (1976). Antique Jewelry: A Practical & Passionate Guide. New York: Crown Publishers. p. 54. ISBN 9780517526538. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
In England, before 1854, 'gold' meant high karat gold — 18 karat or better. In that year, 15, 12, and 9 karat gold were legally recognized [...].
- ^ "Pinchbeck". Chemistry Learner.
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