Antique 1800s jewelry - trash or could this be something special?

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by Aopocetx, Aug 17, 2021.

  1. Aopocetx

    Aopocetx New Member

    no_name_94.jpg IMG_20210815_085354_258.jpg IMG_20210811_084144253_1.jpg Hello. Recently I came into ownership of a few very old pieces of jewelry. My diamond tester broke right before I got them. None of them had any corrosion or patina whatsoever and they all have yellow stones. Anyone have some ideas? Ofcourse they look like mine-cut diamonds (it's probably hard to do in pictures but in real life, if you really look, each diamond is just a little different - one will have a bigger table, one will have a smaller table, etc.) but at the same time, costume jewelry was supposed to imitate that. So going off the fact that the metal does NOT corrode or tarnish, it's a white metal but grayish (let's pretend it's platinum), and has these mine cut yellow stones, what do you guys think?

    Bonus: Victorian pewter portrait frame (I'm sure someone switched it out to a mirror)? Fleur de Lis design... It's completely black, guessing pewter. Does it turn this dark?
     
    pearlsnblume and LauraGarnet02 like this.
  2. i need help

    i need help Well-Known Member

    Moved to Jewelry Forum
     
    LauraGarnet02 likes this.
  3. Aopocetx

    Aopocetx New Member

    Thanks.
     
    i need help likes this.
  4. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

    Unfortunately, your photos are rather blurry.
    Please do post clear photos of the front and back of the earrings. :)
    The small pair in the second photo appear to be clip-on? If so, I've read that hinged clip-on earrings didn't start until the 1920s/30s or so.
    Offhand, I'm thinking mid-20th century costume jewelry on your pairs but do wait for other opinions. Clearer photos may change my mind, too.

    EDIT: Just wondering...why do you believe they are "Antique 1800s"? It sounds like you know history about them that you've not shared?
     
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2021
  5. Marie Forjan

    Marie Forjan Well-Known Member

    Are the earrings have any marks on them? Do you have a jeweler you take them to have the stones tested?

    Yes please, better photos and always show the backs plus any marks :)
     
    LauraGarnet02 and kyratango like this.
  6. moreotherstuff

    moreotherstuff Izorizent

    Please show a close up of the back of the mirror frame as well.
     
    LauraGarnet02 likes this.
  7. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

    The circular/scalloped prong setting of the round stones looks "costume" to me, too...
     
  8. kyratango

    kyratango Bug jewellery addiction!

    Sorry, the mount and findings scream costume, vintage rhinestones:cyclops:
    The mirror may be pewter or silvered and tarnished metal:) as others said, a pic of the back may help!

    Welcome on board! :)
     
  9. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Welcome @Aopocetx .
    Absolutely costume. Clip earrings are a 20th century invention, so they can't be 1800s.
     
  10. Marie Forjan

    Marie Forjan Well-Known Member

    I thought so too but I was hoping to let her down gently :rolleyes:
     
  11. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    :shame::)
     
  12. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    Hi and WELCOME to ANTIQUERS, @Aopocetx !! Are you positive that round frame is metal....it just seems awfully shiny.....if it's possibly tarnished pewter or silver......kind of has a Gutta Percha look to it.....IF they even did that then, which I believe they did!!!
     
  13. wiscbirddog

    wiscbirddog Well-Known Member

    Him not her. ;)
     
    Any Jewelry likes this.
  14. Marie Forjan

    Marie Forjan Well-Known Member

    OOPS! My bad!
     
    wiscbirddog likes this.
  15. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    I agree that the earrings look like 1950s rhinestone. No idea about the mirror without seeing the back.
     
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