2 Pcs - How to Read Marks

I have a pair of vintage earring that appear pewter in color with fronts in black and bright white enamel on ceramic? The background has bumpy texture and the bamboo is white with gold trim. The back marks are Japan and some Kanji(?) characters. Does anyone know what the material(s) of the front and/or back is? And can you take a guess at age?

Second item is a pair of sterling silver earrings. I guess I'd call them a cage style--any other ideas? I think the mark is Italian because I've seen similar on pieces from Italy either stamped Italy or with "made in Italy" tags. It's a lozenge with a star on the far right, 22 in the center and PI on the right. Is this an Italian mark? And is there a way to ID the maker based on the 22 or the PI?

Oh, one last question: I see some posters embed their images right in the listing, instead of using attachments. I didn't see a link to do so on this message page. Can someone give me the instructions? Thanks so much!

 

The first pair is Toshikane and I think it's porcelain:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-toshikane-porcelain-screw-1544206333

After you upload the pictures, you will need to choose "full image" instead of "thumbnail" (at the bottom of the post).

 

Yes, they are porcelain, and gorgeous.
The sterling ones look 1970s to me.

 

Yes, the second pair are Italian sterling, made post 1968, based on the style of the mark. See this page on Italian marks. http://www.silvercollection.it/italianhallmarks.html

There does not appear to be a region with PI as its initials. Maybe FI for Firenze?

 

PI is Pisa. I hope the earrings hang straight down.
I couldn't even read the marks.

 

Oh, that's good to know. I didn't see it in the list, but it was early! (And I didn't is because it's not there and I assumed he had them all, clearly my error in thinking so.)

 

That is strange, but he is still working on his site. From what I see, his province list is only for the provinces that he has a list of makers for.

I just checked, the 925 site has a more complete province abbreviation list, including Pisa:
https://www.925-1000.com/Fitalian_marks_01.html

 

My goodness, yes! But they have no lists of makers.

 

Hi Komokwa--thanks for the tutorial link. I'm going to test it here.

Xristina -- yes, they are Toshikane! Now that I see the images online, I realize I've had some before, just had a blank brain.

And thanks to Bakersgma & AJ, I appreciate the links to the hallmark sites. I've used the .92-1000 many times looking for makers; I didn't realize it had info on hallmarking in general. These earrings are stamped PI, so AJ is correct.

Here are a few links to show how they are constructed. The post is on the back of one of the four curled ends.

 

I was wondering about that, they're gorgeous!