Featured Pierced Silver Brooch- Old or new? Stone or glass?

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by Darkwing Manor, Jan 31, 2021.

  1. Darkwing Manor

    Darkwing Manor Well-Known Member

    Good morning Ladies,
    I'm trying to figure age and stone type on this. It is only 2" x .75" so it's a tiny and delicate thing. The 70-something owner says it belonged to her grandmother. I haven't tested the metal yet (too nervous). No marks.
    The roll-over clasp dates it not much earlier than 1960's, correct?
    And how on earth do I test glass versus amethyst? It is faceted on both sides.
    Thank you all!
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    Last edited: Jan 31, 2021
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  2. Marie Forjan

    Marie Forjan Well-Known Member

    Sweet! I suspect costume because I can see where the plating has worn on the edge and brassy color metal is showing through. Also, looks like nibbles on the stone, so maybe glass. But test it for metal content, if it is confirmed costume then you can be pretty sure the stone is glass.
     
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  3. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    1920s North Attleboro, Massachusetts costume is my guess. The filigree was hot in the early to mid-1920s and a lot of it came out of Providence and N. Attleboro. They're on top of each other geographically. It was done in costume and precious metal both, but I suspect costume in this case.
     
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  4. Darkwing Manor

    Darkwing Manor Well-Known Member

    Really, that old? And specific region? I need to quit learning things on the Internet. It does look rather Gatesbyesque, doesn't it? That would fit in with the timeline better. Thank you!
     
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  5. Darkwing Manor

    Darkwing Manor Well-Known Member

    Thank you! I suspect it's plated too, but I haven't cleaned it yet either. It's not what i would call high-quality workmanship, the casting, altho minute is rather crude around the clasps. Is amethyst un-nibbleable?
     
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  6. Marie Forjan

    Marie Forjan Well-Known Member

    Glass should be more fragile than amethyst, but if knocked around I think amethyst could also be damaged.
     
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  7. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    I'd lay odds it's glass in this case.
     
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  8. Darkwing Manor

    Darkwing Manor Well-Known Member

    Thank you, Ladies!
     
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  9. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    This is the older model roll-over clasp, used in the early 20th century.:)
     
  10. Figtree3

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

    It's very pretty... I like amethyst and silver (or silver-colored) jewelry.
     
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