Featured Tortoise Shell Brooch Help

Hi all,
When taking photos of this brooch, I noticed initials JS on it - would this be the maker? I've been looking around and not finding others with initials, so maybe the owner?
Can the silver and gold (pique) be polished on something like this? Maybe using a sunshine cloth? It is missing one section of the gold.
Also, there is an indent next to the pin part, I thought maybe the pin had been replaced but have found others with similar indents and pins, so maybe just part of the shell?
Is it possible to date this? I remember that a longer pin is an indication of being older, just not sure how old. From looking on-line these were most popular from 1850-1890s, not sure if that is correct information though.
any information appreciated
thanks for looking

 

Yes, pique, late 19th. And a Sunshine will work fine.

 

Wonderful, thanks bear, will give it a polish once I find the cloth

 

that...is unusual !
good eye CX !!!!

 

It looks like the pin hinge end has broken loose from the original mount point and been re-fixed a bit further around. So the pin is probably original, just not in the original location. The reason you see this on other items is that is is a common issue with tortoiseshell, so you see it regularly.

 

excellent, thank-you Ce BCA

anyone have ideas on the initials?

 

Probably the owner.

 

I can't see the initials, where are they on the brooch?

Cool brooch by the way!

 

thanks bear

thanks Lucille I didn't see the initials until I was looking at the photos