Featured Cartier brooch

Found this week. Marked Cartier!
Best find ever, thrift store $2.80
14k , 11.43 grams, really nice quality pearl
(Ps, not for sale! )

 

I am gobsmacked ! How in the world did they miss that ???

 

A little thrift store in a rural place, where they might not know too much.......
It was my lucky day!

 

Aaaaaaaaaagh!

Debora

 

I've recovered from my initial shock and just want to add... 1960s.

Debora

 

Guess they NEVER heard of Cartier? Maybe some 18-year old was doing the pricing? Lucky you!

 

I see 14k. What are the other marks?

Debora

 

Hahahaaaa did you get that full body rush feeling when you flipped it over?? Did you drop everything and buy it immediately hoping they didn't see you shaking? It's marked so prominently! They probably never see anything like it and thought it looked like fashion jewelry. Wowww. I hope you really enjoy wearing it out (with some security on that pin stem)!

 

Looks like a an early lever locking clasp more 1900? Am I seeing that right? The style definitely looks much later though.

 

how does one miss those marks ???????

Great find !!!!!!!

 

Here's how these floral pins were worn. On a shift, at the shoulder or centered on the upper bodice.

Debora

 

You are correct, I stopped breathing for a few minutes!
I saw the 14k right away, and I grabbed it real quick to keep it away from the other lady who was looking at jewelry. I might have elbowed her out of the way.......if I recall correctly.
I didn't see the Cartier mark till I was outside the store. I may have screamed, I don't remember!

 

I have found a 14k pendant and chain at the thrift (that never even carries jewelry!) for 3 bucks but you have me beat by a mile! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!!

 

The arrow mark gives me pause. What do you think?

 

I've not seen that before.

Debora

 

Me either, but I'm not a Cartier expert. I spent all day looking at everything Cartier, my eyes hurt at this point. The Cartier marks have really varied over the years, and researching the range of hallmarks was somewhat confusing.

 

Hearty Congratulations...a very sweet score!

 

Once upon a time I found a very real 14k brooch with a very fake designer mark. Since I couldn't sell it with the fake mark, it was melted; that was a shame since it was a perfectly nice if nondescript brooch. What's weird about this one is it has a pre-WWI style clasp and a design that looks like 1960s. Would Cartier have done that? Did they even use that style clasp? I'd be very careful selling this as Cartier without showing it to someone first.

 

Somebody out in the hi-desert boonies was either a bit past their prime or doin' the Dennis Hopper 'spirit walk' (trippin') !
Congrats- big Jewelry win for our favorite jeweler.

 

I agree with you about all of this. I do have issue with that arrow mark.
But why would someone put a fake mark on a very out-of-style flower brooch? It's a mystery.
Perhaps I'll never know.
But I do know that I love it, and I will wear it no matter if it's genuine or not.
I won't be selling it.