Featured Enamel & Pearl gold cross pendant

Please tell me about this! Love to know age of origin.
It’s completely unmarked. I’m presuming it is antique?
It looks to be blue enamel over an unknown metal form with a gold back that holds with 9k but fades out with 14k acid.
The pearls, (or what’s left of most of them,only three are intact/semi intact ) are real and look to be set in gold.
The enamel is sky blue throughout, not the deeper or uneven blue the photos suggest, sadly damaged and cracked. Would have been a pretty thing in its heyday.
It’s approx 1.5” tall.
Thanks for looking

 

Pretty! Setting style is 1870 to 1920 ish, I would expect it to be towards the earlier end given the overall look. The pearls will be natural and not cultured at this age. Is the rest of the metal not silver?

 

Once upon a very long time ago I bet it was beautiful.

The centre could be, I can’t get to it to test it and as it’s a bit fragile

 

Poor little pretty. I get a Russian or Greek vibe ?

 

I'd bet on low carat gold...
You can wash it with soapy water to get rid of the grime in cracked enamel but look forward for loosen pearls.

 

Another vote for low carat gold. My guess is 1880-90. Are the pearlies mounted in silver?
It is still lovely, but it has had a hard life. A gentle wash as kyra suggested will make it look much better. And maybe try to kyratise the enamel?

 

I’ll give it a go. Hopefully I can’t make it much worse
Is there anything you would use to fill in the spot where the enamel has gone? I know you used to use nail polish. This could end in disaster…..

 

once clean, try to find a matching color of nail polish and apply it in tiny droplets with a wooden toothpick (not the brush) in the lacks, letting it dry before doing it again till the surface is even.
If you can't find an exact match, cover all enamel with same technique in a thin layer with the nail polish. You will still be able to remove it by soaking in aceton. Pearls shouldn't be affected as it will be an exceptional process

 

Stupid question probably but have you used the gel nail polish that cures with UV or just the standard stuff?

 

Both I now use UV resin because I'm more confident in the result I can get, but I never tried to remove it... So it is better to practice with nail polish for first attempt!