Featured Gold Jewelry and Tarnish

So, in recap, what have we learned today?
Don't put this:

in one of these:

 

Was this by any chance described as a cameo egg?

 

@Dawnno
That was hilarious.

Your posts about materials and what causes tarnish were interesting. Just hope I will remember some of it.
Thanks.

@Barn Owl
This piece although there is a chance it is 9K, is most likely Rolled Gold.
Rolled Gold is basically a type of plating, thicker than today's plating. The plating done today is a different process. If the piece was worn a lot, near the edges you may see some wear showing a brass base.

This pin is from about 1860 plus or minus a few years.

 

Wow, I never realized it was that old. That makes me love it even more.

 

This thread is an excellent idea!
I can add that old gold pieces with silver parts become red blue or black with oxydation!

 

Do you have pictures? :O

 

Think kyra & I are describing the same thing:

 

There are pieces which have had an oxidizer applied when made and can deteriorate after to other colors...... https://www.seattlefindings.com/Oxidizer--VIGOR--4-oz_p_175.html

 

I've seen the rainbowed finish on freshly made silver before, after a dunk in the rotten egg solution (liver of sulfur) and before being cleaned up.

 

Can you show a photo of the back of that piece?

 

There has been a great deal of research in the Museum and Conservation fields about interactions between art/artifacts and their surroundings (wood, paper products, paints, carpeting, even other artifacts, etc). Some interesting and unique corrosion products and other forms of deterioration have been observed on objects in long term storage and in closed exhibit cases. This is the reason for the emphasis on archival quality storage products, and testing of any materials to be used in exhibit cases.

 

of course, that makes sense to check there first, in retrospect.

 

I think 1880s-90s, brass/tombak, possibly gilt front.
If there is a way of taking the C-shaped decoration off without damage, you'd never know there was anything missing.

 

Looks like stamped brass; may have been gilded.