Featured Brooch of mystery

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by Tiliqua, May 13, 2016.

  1. Tiliqua

    Tiliqua New Member

    Hello! I have taken a recent interest in old brooches, and to some degree also pendants, but somewhere along the way I believe I picked up more than I could work with....so I could use some helpful hints and tips.

    First up is this brooch:

    [​IMG]

    My guess is that the turoises are real, and that it's tiny little rubies in those sockets, but I would really like to narrow down the country and time of origin a bit. I think its brass (nothing expensive at least).
    Thankful for any advice. This one has been bugging me a lot!
     
    Last edited: May 13, 2016
  2. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    Please post a picture of the back and a closeup of any marks found.
    The type of pin back will help in determining age.
     
    lauragarnet and KingofThings like this.
  3. Tiliqua

    Tiliqua New Member

    No marks found at all, here is the pin back and a clearer front photo:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  4. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    The C clasp is an earlier type closure.
    I'm not a jewelry guru, but you might investigate jewelry from the 1880s - early 1900s.
    I agree Turquoise and probably ruby. Possibly Persian or made to look like it.
    Most likely 10K - not all antique jewelry was marked with gold content.

    Personally, I hate acid testing as it often is done in a way that scares the jewelry.
    Wait for those more knowledgeable
     
    cxgirl, Brenda Anna, Ruedi and 3 others like this.
  5. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    Have you washed it yet? Mild soapy water, rinse thoroughly.

    Along the top edge is that wear through the metal or just tarnish?
    If wear, then not 10K - but gold plated and maybe a little later around 1900- 1910.

    upload_2016-5-13_9-3-43.png
     
    cxgirl, lauragarnet and KingofThings like this.
  6. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    From what I can tell of the clasp, it looks like very early 20th century... but wait for other opinions.
     
    lauragarnet and KingofThings like this.
  7. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    Welcome!
     
    lauragarnet likes this.
  8. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    I'd guess circa 1890 and it looks like a really old piece of gold-filled "Etruscan Revival". The stones look like Persian turquoise and garnet. Some low karat pieces can fool you though. My first thought when I saw this was a company called Florenza; they used the same colors and similar finishes, but they're post-WWII costume.
     
    Figtree3 and KingofThings like this.
  9. moreotherstuff

    moreotherstuff Izorizent

    I would think those crimped settings offer a clue, but I don't know of what.
     
    KingofThings likes this.
  10. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    It's made to look like something that would have existed in Rome or ancient Persia, or something along those lines. The crimped settings are just part of the design.
     
  11. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    Wanttoknow likes this.
  12. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    I'm in the late 19th camp too. Doubt it's gold, with that wear, no reason they can't be wee real ruby and turquoise cabochons.
     
  13. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    That's another term I was trying to think of. It's got that whole Eastern Roman Empire/Orthodox/ Barbarian Gothic vibe going for it.
     
  14. Bev aka thelmasstuff

    Bev aka thelmasstuff Colored pencil artist extraordinaire ;)

    I know you meant it "scars" the jewelry, but I really like "scares" much better!!
     
  15. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    LOL
    Yes, I did mean "scars".
    I noticed the misspelling last night - too late to correct it.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted
Similar Threads: Brooch mystery
Forum Title Date
Jewelry French paste brooch mystery Nov 10, 2023
Jewelry Sweet little silver mystery brooch, Germany? Jan 18, 2023
Jewelry Nine carat gold brooch mystery mark Dec 6, 2022
Jewelry Mystery silver brooch Jan 22, 2022
Jewelry Mystery Scottish brooch 'PRO MITRA CORONAM'. May 30, 2021

Share This Page