Posted 4 years ago
freiheit
(1223 items)
Recently, there hasn't been much to buy here where live. I saw this necklace and usually I would have shied away. The reason why I would not have bought it is the fact that someone changed it: The necklace consists of a brooch. On either side there have been three fishing lines carefully attached. Then, silver colour and blue plastic beads have been strung and a sterling clasp has been put to allow the opening and closing of the necklace. The blue beads appear like Lapis Lazuli but I am positive that they are some kind of plastic. All tough everything is well done, it is not exactly up to my taste and standard.
Now that I have explained the main negative points of this purchase, I have to say that the reason I bought it was the brooch. The brooch is rather pretty: it is marked "925" and features marcasite stones and a lovely large blue/lavender cabochon. I am not sure what the stone is but one of my guesses is chalcedony. The brooch could be easily converted back to its former form. The pin and catch mechanism is still present and in working condition.
But here comes another negative point: I have not been able to find out where and when the brooch was made. I like the brooch, and this is a good thing but I would like to get more information. I spent a good few hours searching online. The only close item I found was a brooch by Judith Jack. This brooch had the same overall design but featured an onyx cabochon. The size was close; both the Judith Jack and my brooch are about 2 1/2 inches but the setting of the cabochon in the back and the marks are different. Also, the setting of the marcasite stones showed some differences. I know that many Judith Jack designs are based on Art Deco and other older styles but they were made in the recent past.
I have been wrong many times in the past - it's a great way to learn! For this reason I am open to any suggestions about the brooch, starting from the possibility that this brooch could be from the Art Deco period (wishful thinking), a recent Chinese import (worse case scenario for me) to anything in between. My feeling is that the quality of marcasites and the overall finishing of the brooch are not of the highest standards - but it is pretty.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for looking:)
Vetraio50, many thanks for loving my necklace:)
bellísimo
Ms.CrystalShip, thanks so much for your comment. I am glad you love the brooch, too. The brooch was the reason I bought the necklace. At first, I wanted to take it apart and fix it up with amethyst beads and put metal rings to attach the string of beads to the brooch. Later, I realized that the cabochon is more blue than lavender and the choice of amethyst beads might not look right.
It's going to be along winter in Canada and I will have plenty of time to think about what to do with this piece - LOL
Mary, as always I enjoyed your kind and knowledgeable words. I think that the silver beads are sterling. In my humble opinion, they are too well made to be something else. But I cannot say for sure because I don't have a testing kit. One of those days I will get one.
Take care,
Gudrun
Kivatinitz, muchas gracias mi amiga:)
Many thanks for the love, Peasejean55, Newfld, fortapache, Manikin,Watchsearcher, and vetraio50 :)
I love this brooch too!!! It's a beauty. I thought maybe it was moonstone but I don't know other than it sure is pretty. Funny, I have a piece that seemed to be oddly matched also, in fact, the clasp is just like the one you have here. Mine is actually a good size Lapis stone set in sterling for the clasp but it was matched up with aroura borealis square stones. Even those stones are pretty but they did not go well together in my opinion. I wish I could just attach a pic of it right here in my reply.
Shareurpassion, I would love to see yours! Thanks so much for your comment!
I have seen this kind of converted jewellery before but I don't remember where. Someone used high quality vintage brooches and semi precious beads to create them and sold them for a pretty penny. Too bad that mine is not one of them.