An old Cameo from the beach

[plymouthian12]

Last night I went back to the beach where i found the gold ring the other day and managed to find about $5 in clad a silver ring and a cameo which may be jade and is in really great shape for bouncing around the ocean surf But im not sure of the metal im thinking it might be Pewter due to its weight and im not sure if platinum tarnishes like this any input would be awesome thanks for looking
kent

 

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[Mercy]

Nice find Plymouthian

 

[birdman]

Now that ,is awesome.

 

[Breezie]

Plymouth, Hopefully I can answer your questions. Your cameo brooch is from the late Victoria period, probably 1880s-1900s or either a reproduction of a late Victorian cameo. It's hard to tell without seeing it in person. Real cameos are carved from different things: shell, agate, jet, ivory, and mother of pearl. Fake ones are made of resin, plastic, and glass. Agate comes in green, so yours could be real, but resin also comes in green, so it could be fake. Older cameos are generally set in gold,(or gold-filed) brass, pinchbeck, silver or silver vermeil.

Here are some tips to determine if it is a real cameo or not: Real cameos have a matte finish; they are not shiny. The backs of real ones are curved, not flat. Of course you can't see the back of yours. Real cameos are thin and have polished sides. If held up to a light, you will be able to see light through a real cameo. A real cameo when touched to your lips will feel cold; plastic will feel warmer. Older real cameos are generally set in gold, (or gold-filed) brass, pinchbeck, silver or silver vermeil.

Yours is 'relief,' which means the surrounding material was cut away; therefore, the image is raised. It's a neat find whether it's the real deal or not. Since yours has a solid back, you can't see whether it is light permeable, nor can you see if the edges are polished. I would recommend taking to a jeweler and getting his opinion.

Breezie

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

Certainly a nice find, see less of them than George Washinton buttons posted.

One has been on my top ten list.

I certainly wouldn't think platinum, Breezie seems to have a handle on them, but again nice find, one I'd be happy with.

 

[CoilyGirl]

It's very pretty and I hope Breezie's knowledge can help you determine if its an old cameo or not.