Featured Gold(?) catch, pearl strand

I'm on a quest to identify everything I own and learn as much as I can. This pearl strand is a family heirloom, supposedly from a duchess great-aunt. My grandmother received it from her in Brazil. From what I see online, this type of bright-cut catches were fashionable in the 1950s. It used to be a double strand but it was mistreated, as can be seen. I always assumed in was gold set with a diamond but it's unmarked, as far as I can see (and I went all over it very, very closely).

 

The front could be platinum. The back looks silver to me, and it tarnishes like silver. I have seen that combination before.
But I would have it tested. Also have the stone tested, it may not be a diamond.

 

I will, thank you. It needs fixing and restringing anyway.
Is platinum jewellery ever marked?

 

It is usually marked, but I know nothing about Brazilian marking.
Platinum is found in Brazil btw. Just about everything is mined in Brazil.

 

Necklace lengths are helpful in dating. What is the length of yours?

Debora

 

Unfortunately, it was divided into several strands, so I have no way of knowing.

 

Looks like the small "stones" are marcasite set into the ribbon design around the top. I've just learned that marcasite is a misnomer in jewelry, and that the small faceted pieces are usually pyrite.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcasite_jewellery

 

It is difficult to see, but it looks like those are faceted 'bumps' that are meant to look like marcasites or small diamonds.

 

I always assumed that marcasites were inexpensive in the first place. But I can only see the facets on one of those "bumps" and that one is pyramid shaped with a slightly flattened top. So you could be right! Hard to know when it's not possible to see them. And looking at online photos can at times make identification perilous!

 

Yes, these are facets cut into the metal, not stones. I tried to take a focused picture but I see it's time to learn to use a real camera and take proper macro photos.

 

Absolutely. That is why it is good to have as many eyes as possible on an item, because we can all miss details.

 

You did a good job, we've seen much worse here, believe me. But better closeup photos are always good of course, because we don't have the item in hand.

 

Some appear to be cast but some look like what used to be called diamond chips. That was common .

 

It's always helpful to see the entire item even if it's no longer intact. And close-up photographs of any marks. With pearls, important to know if they're hand-knotted; it does appear in the photos that yours are.

Debora

 

I have had costume pearl necklaces knotted. So that can be an indiction of real pearls or high end costume pearls.

 

The inset faceted bits may be cut steel, or simply 'steels'.