Featured 19thC Gold & Tortoiseshell Bracelet

CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS IS FOUND ON CHINESE EBAY？

FOR LESS THAN £100?



I was browsing new listings from saved sellers on Chinese ebay and suddenly ran into this: a set of bracelet and padlock, offered by a seller specializing in Japanese vintage.

She clearly had no idea of the age & origin of it, so I immediately paid for them & express delivery. Today they are ready to be shown!

They are made in the end of 19th century, UK, and crafted in gold ( tested as higher than 9ct) and blonde tortoiseshell. I’m not 100% sure if they are original to each other, but there are plenty of similar bracelets offered by various antique dealers- one of them was sold for more than £800!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/720419882/?ref=share_ios_native_control ( but IMO too high )


Please enjoy! And thanks to @Any Jewelry and @kyratango for confirming the authenticity

 

Also wanna share this: some artificial materials also react to UV light, but this wavy pattern( growth lines) is a good indicator of a real deal:

 

Also showing off my beryl and south red agate beads! They are newly made by myself, not vintage or antique at all, so not posting them separately. But I’m sure some will love to see them!

PS: I should have said, newly strung, as one cannot make these gems!

 

Wonderful finds, true beauties. Good to see you removed the barrel clasp and returned the heart lock to its proper position and purpose.

Don't you love sellers like that.

Excellent photo, and thank you for posting it, very educational.

Very nice pastel colours on the beryl, and both the colours and the shapes are set of nicely by those special south red agate beads.

 

But I keep the small metal pins as I can attach safety chain onto it also if removed, it will leave holes

I also took a better photo few days ago, from a Japanese comb:

Did you know them before? The information I found online states that they are exclusively produced in China, do other cultures use them too?

 

I did.

Other cultures often use the more orangey-brownish red variety called carnelian. Here in the Netherlands carnelian is valued nearly as much as Mediterranean red coral and also worn with the regional costumes.

'Our' carnelian is part of the south red agate family, but south red agate covers more shades of red. Red agate as such is also found in some other countries, but not prized as much as in China, and the pure red colour is pretty rare.

 

I agree they look alike in China south red agate is as pricey as red coral, if not more expensive but only those agate not transparent at all, which almost look like red jasper but with more jelly texture

 

Dutch carnelian and 14k gold jewellery, as worn with traditional dress:


https://juweelwinkel.nl/product/gouden-antieke-hanger-met-carneool-2/

I have a necklace like this one below, but with beads the same thickness as the clasp:

 

So cute! I particularly like these multi-faceted beads( the metal clasp too!), often seen with Whitby jet and garnet sadly I possess none

 

There are a lot of those overhere. Especially garnet and carnelian, but also some jet. I even have a faceted citrine bead necklace, also traditional Dutch style.

 

I will keep hunting

 

My rare faceted citrine bead necklace, this one came from Friesland, in the north of the country:



It also has one of those 14k faceted clasps:

 

How wonderful this find is! I was always so disappointed when I spot juicy T-shell antiques on eBay but no these are illegal to be shipped to me. I won’t buy an expensive one when in UK either, as I fear the customs will confiscate it and it’s too big a loss.

But I found one in where I live! And at such a low price, while it’s the most valuable in my whole T-shell collection!

I figured that it might come to Japan at earlier stage, then sold as originally vintage jewelry, probably by the family of a deceased owner. Then brought to China.

 

It almost looks like amber to me! And love the graduation in colour&size!

 

Beauuuuutiful bracelet! A classic style. I love the gold work.

Thanks for posting the close up UV + growth lines photo for others. I got another cameo recently that really shows them well but i haven't taken photos yet.

Your bead necklace turned out so well! It looks great on you.

Just lovely. I bet it sparkles so prettily.

 

Would love to see everything T-shell related

 

I love this. I am always wondering how to tell real from plastic! The bracelet is amazing!

 

I have seen a real convincing faux t-shell material (not sure what it is made of), and it also has bluish glow under UV light. Always look for growth lines!But some smooth surfaces may not display growth lines at all, so you need to consider other aspects, i.e. edges of dark spots, layers indicating it is made of several pieces

 

You did so well!
The bracelet is SPLENDID.
Your long necklace is top too, I didn't know about the south red agate, learning something new everyday
And, AJ, so beautiful dutch carnelian!!!
I have (somewhere...) a faceted carnelian necklace with faceted clasp, must find it to show

 

We’re doing our best sharing our knowledge and teaching each other, aren’t we