Rare Georgian era toadstone talisman brooch with pearl surround. Circa 1800. English in origin. Stones set in gold with original brooch pin and clasp.

1.25" in length.

For centuries, Toadstone was thought to have magical properties and was used for rings and amulets from Medieval times throughout the 18th century. ⁠

In the presence of poison, a toadstone was believed to sweat, change colour and even heat up. It was believed that a toadstone placed on a bite from snakes, insects, spiders and shrews could extract the poison from a wound. ⁠ ⁠A Toadstone, was thought to have been formed in the head of a toad.
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In fact, now known as bufonite, toadstones are actually fossilized teeth of Lepidotes, an extinct fish from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

Mythical properties aside, this specimen is over 100 million years old and remains a rare treasure.