Gold broach?

[Gunner3791]

Found this yesterday in a 1860's California mining camp. There is nothing but sagebrush and a few scattered rocks there now. The cabochon is quartz with gold in matrix. I did polish it with non abrasive gold polish. I am wondering how it was worn and by who man or woman?

 

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[Gene Mean]

Wow! That's in great shape

 

[Hobbs.]

Did you find that with your Bounty Hunter? That is nice! You should be proud!

 

[Red-Coat]

That's just beautiful. It looks to be a completely hand-made piece. You can see the uneven-ness of the aperture and the outline where it has been sawn out from sheet metal and the solder join for the collet holding the stone. It's how a craftsman might make a piece, but not how anything commercial would be made. Far too wasteful to cut out sheet silver or gold like that and then be left with off-cuts that have to be reworked.

 

[ARC]

Gold plated / Rolled Gold... IMO of course.

 

[Machkin]

Bolo Tie

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Based on it's diminutive size and shape, it looks similar to a ladies Victorian/Edwardian Period neck brooch.
This may have been worn on a black ribbon or as a necklace slide.

That's a great find!
Dave

 

[A2coins]

Great job that's freakin cool and in good shape very well done

 

[Gunner3791]

I absolutely appreciate your input. Just kinda curious why you think it's plated or rolled?

 

[Gunner3791]

Thanks man. Glad you found those photos. It's kinda what I was thinking. A womans ribbon neck piece. Very likely could have been owned by a prostitute. Not saying that for fun just the reality of the times and the area.

 

[randazzo1]

Oh wow that’s super cool!