Vintage Acorn? Pendant

After debating if this is animal vegetable or mineral I've come to the conclusion it may be a slightly squished acorn even though it's got some odd lumps and bumps that acorns don't usually have.
Is there a time when these were popular?. The metal work tests as gold but I'm not sure what ct.
Is this something worth saving as is or scrap for the gold?. Not sure I fancy wearing it!
Thankyou

 

The Victorians would use just about anything from nature in jewellery, so I think this dates from the mid to late 19th century.

It seems we both have nutty jewellery.
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/s...identification-help-please.41450/#post-922266

 

Is the cap part of nature? If so, it does not seem typical of acorn caps.

 

Acorn cupules are scaly and sort of flattish topped usually. And acorns are not black, although I suppose at that age, anything is possible. This is annoyingly familar, my botany brain isn't working. It's more like a chestnut cupule, but the thing is too small.

 

Acorns are black.............. https://www.google.com/search?q=bla...y_HkAhUI-6wKHVSlA4MQ_AUIEigC&biw=1513&bih=867

http://christhephotog.blogspot.com/2013/10/black-acorns.html

 

How big is it?

 

I think the bit round the top could be the remnants of the cap. It may have lacquer on it which would have darkened it?

 

About an inch.

 

a scarab or a beetle ?

 

Now I want to wear it even less.........

 

I have a very classy collection of jewellery I'll have you know!
Other people have gold and silver and I have bug and poo brooches.

 

Fortunately with a nice little bit of gold running through it saves the day!

 

After further examination, I'm on the acorn train.

Really worn down cap.