Let me start by saying this brooch is a SHOWSTOPPER. The first time I pinned it onto my little black dress for a holiday party, I felt like Audrey Hepburn in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' - if she'd raided her grandma's vintage jewelry box. The Austrian crystals catch light like real diamonds, and the floral design has this romantic, heirloom quality that made three separate strangers ask if it was a family antique.
But here's the tea: the clasp is its Achilles' heel. During that same party, I had to discreetly re-pin it twice in the bathroom when the single closure popped open. A second clasp would've saved me from that awkward mid-conversation jewelry adjustment.
The weight? Substantial in the best way - you can feel the quality when holding it. I've since repurposed mine as a hair accessory (wedding season hack!) and even clipped it to a plain tote bag for instant glam. Though fair warning - at 5 inches, it's definitely not for wallflowers. One guest actually mistook it for part of my bouquet when I wore it on a cream blazer!
Would I buy again? Absolutely, but only for special occasions where I want to be extra. For daily wear, I'd probably opt for their smaller 4.5 inch version mentioned in other reviews.