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Circa late 1800s / early 1900s Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity badge, converted to a stickpin.
The badge is the fraternity\'s emblem, a gold Maltese cross with Φ, Κ and Σ on its arms. Members are known as \"Skulls\" after the skull and crossbones at the center of the standard badge; on this piece, the center is set with a red stone instead.
Gold, tests 14K by acid, and identified as 14K by an estate jewelry buyer.The hallmark is covered by the soldered pin mount and has been left undisturbed.
Set with 3 genuine diamonds (2 bezel-set Old European cuts and 1 small old cut), 8 genuine opals and 8 genuine garnets.
The center is synthetic red ruby, common for that time period, in a white metal collet.
Includes the original pin keeper, base metal, marked \"Pat. No. 13009.\"
Badge: approx. 13 x 13 mm Overall length: approx. 70 mm (2 3/4\")
Weight: just under 5 g without keeper, 7 g with keeper
Please see photos for scale and condition.
Phi Kappa Sigma was founded October 19, 1850 at the University of Pennsylvania. Family provenance: this pin belonged to my great-uncle, a Pullman Porter, and was given to him by a Phi Kappa Sigma alumnus.
