What does “20” on the pin of a brooch mean?

Vintage brooch with a “20” on the pin. Does that mean silver plate or does it mean 80% silver?

 

nice brooch...but we gotta see what yer on about...!!

oh..but 20, don't mean 80% anything..

 

I’ll have to look in am not finding anything now

 

20 isn't a silver mark. 80% silver is marked as 800, or with a mark that is specific to the country it was made in.
20 could be a design number.
Could you show us the back of the brooch, and the mark please?

 

Looks like the end of a trombone clasp sticking out.

 

That's what I thought, which means it wasn't all that cheap at the time.

 

Sometimes the stone setter marked a piece, maybe that is what it means?

That is a lovely pin

 

it has the look of a pin that could easily bu full of real gem stones..

 

Is the large stone dirty or is there a "veil" in it? The photos are too out of focus to see details of the setting.

 

20 on pins and needles may be an old norm for construction steel.

 

It could be a reference to the steel makeup used to make the pinstem. It would help to see the back. I'd guess the stones are glass; the trombone clasp indicates European origin. Did the Czechs use them, or just the French, Italians, and Spanish? (and maybe Dutch? I'm trying to remember.) It also says someone cared when they made the pin.

 

More than just Europeans used them: Indian and Middle Eastern, North African as well. Colonial influence. But certainly all those you've mentioned and more.

Centre stone looks like between the wars Czech glass to me.

 

It's gorgeous. First thought was French, but who knows. Love the black enamel. A lot going on with pretty brooch.

When you have a chance to show the back, would love to see it.

 

It’s French, not sure that the other marks mean View attachment 223688

 

well now we got some marks worth digging into....

that puppy looks better all the time !!!
Happy New Year !