Unusual GOLD (?) Pretzel Snake pin

[mjm579]

This piece is not marked, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it is gold. Any thoughts?

The piece is hollow with some sort of stone (perhaps precious) eyes.

 

[cyberdan]

looks hand made. everything about it looks fabricated. could be gold. stamps can be smaller than an ant. did you look on the pin? some designers like to hide marks.

 

[tamrock]

Definitely have this guy checked out. Not impossible to find unmarked gold. The holes in the back I've found on hollow gold pieces. Put there so the gasses can escape when the back is soldered on. The gold mark may be very worn and hard to see also.

 

[capt-zero]

Nice pin. I would have picked it up and I dont wear pins. I have come across unmarked gold often enough to risk it when the price is right. As was mentioned by others, frequently marks can be hard to find. Definitely have it checked out.

 

[mjm579]

Thanks for the info. I'm getting a little better at spotting the "gold possibles" when I'm looking inside a case. This one cost me around $2.50.

It is a fairly large piece too. I'll have to take some pics next to a quarter or measure it tomorrow.

I thought that it almost had to be gold bc who would hollow out a piece of base metal and go through all if the hand forming and bending for a cheap piece of jewelry. But, I've been fooled before.

I just LOVE anything with insects or other small critters. Mostly bug pins and realistic mice/rat pieces. Hubby owns his own pest control business....so it's only fitting, right?

Any chance anyone on here would know how I could make my own acid test kit out of organic acids? I know we have sulfuric and hydrochloride acid in my lab at work is it just different concentrations?

 

[tamrock]

Thanks for the info. I'm getting a little better at spotting the "gold possibles" when I'm looking inside a case. This one cost me around $2.50.

It is a fairly large piece too. I'll have to take some pics next to a quarter or measure it tomorrow.

I thought that it almost had to be gold bc who would hollow out a piece of base metal and go through all if the hand forming and bending for a cheap piece of jewelry. But, I've been fooled before.

I just LOVE anything with insects or other small critters. Mostly bug pins and realistic mice/rat pieces. Hubby owns his own pest control business....so it's only fitting, right?

Any chance anyone on here would know how I could make my own acid test kit out of organic acids? I know we have sulfuric and hydrochloride acid in my lab at work is it just diffconcentrations?

Just go to a pawn shop for a test.They have to test it correctly. They'll tell you what K you have and wieght.

 

[mjm579]

Just go to a pawn shop for a test.They have to test it correctly. They'll tell you what K you have and wieght.

Thanks Tam.

 

[trdhrdr007]

I'm with cyberdan. It's entirely possible it's marked on the pin or one of the attachment points. I've found several "unmarked" items that had tiny marks hidden in unusual places.

 

[isabella1]

If you find out it's not gold I'll be surprised. It looks pretty good from here. Also it might be Marked On the side of the clasp word opens were on the pin itself. That's a nice find! You can pick up the acid test kit off eBay for like $30. I got mine from there. Plus a loop. Hope it turns out to be good

 

[tamrock]

Thanks Tam.

Geat work for the man in you life. My father was an entomologist and responsible for the bug Holocaust of the 50s, 60, & 70s across the whole planet

 

[mjm579]

Geat work for the man in you life. My father was an entomologist and responsible for the bug Holocaust of the 50s, 60, & 70s across the whole planet

He is working on his own holocaust (of sorts) with the current bed bug outbreak in Philadelphia. Only problem is that he has a heart, and generally doesn't charge enough, especially where children, elderly, or extremely poor individuals are involved. I really can't blame him though....I would be the same way! It just hurts the business when he spends more for gas, tolls, and chemicals than he gets paid. I almost wonder if he could charge some of his services off as a charitable contribution. Not sure if it would need to be a non-profit organization in this case.

BTW, thanks for all of your jewelry information. Happy hunting! LOVE the butterfly brooch!!

 

[pat-tekker-cat]

That is a cool snake! Are the eyes green? The way the eyes are mounted in the 2nd pic, looks nice.
Sometimes, I have found marks on the inside or underside part of the pin, when opened up.
I hope you can get it tested soon, it's very pretty! (I got a nice silver gemstone cricket you would probably appreciate, and a gold ruby fly)
I used to do pest control in my mid and late teen years, yep everyday, head to toe, Lindane and Dursban with glycerin, sometimes sevin.
What was I thinking? I was always extra cautious working with that paraquat! LOL!

 

[randazzo1]

Congrats! That is a treasure. 100 to 1 say's gold. The vent hole in the back by the catch, the smooth back and the luster all say gold, gold, gold. And --- despite the catch having been replaced in the 20th century, the pin is a least 120years old. I think perhaps a bit earlier, possibly pre U.S. civil war. The tabbed hinge tube is a giveaway for early construction. I would do research on the symbolism of the snake. It does not look like mere figural piece to me -- I'm thinking symbolic, fraternal, political.

 

[randazzo1]

Congrats! That is a treasure. 100 to 1 say's gold. The vent hole in the back by the catch, the smooth back and the luster all say gold, gold, gold. And --- despite the catch having been replaced in the 20th century, the pin is a least 120years old. I think perhaps a bit earlier, possibly pre U.S. civil war. The tabbed hinge tube is a giveaway for early construction. I would do research on the symbolism of the snake. It does not look like mere figural piece to me -- I'm thinking symbolic, fraternal, political.

Here you go: Mid Victorian Antique Vintage Gold Snake Brooch Set with Turquoise and Rubys | eBay

antique victorian 18ct gold serpent trilogy snake brooch | eBay

Stunning Antique ART NOUVEAU 18KT Gold Serpent Snake Brooch, Ruby Eyes from lapetitecerise on Ruby Lane (VERY early art-nouveau if at all --- I would have just said Victorian).

 

[jerseyben]

I agree with what everyone else has already stated. As soon as I layed eyes on it, I knew it was gold. Congrats!!!

 

[mjm579]

Another pic for an idea of the size.

 

[cyberdan]

Geat work for the man in you life. My father was an entomologist and responsible for the bug Holocaust of the 50s, 60, & 70s across the whole planet

So was my sister's father in law. He was a Professor at U of WI and developed pheromone-baited insect traps. I am sure your father has read many of his papers or even knew him. (very small circle) My sister has a travelling insect and reptile zoo and give lessons at schools.

 

[mjm579]

So was my sister's father in law. He was a Professor at U of WI and developed pheromone-baited insect traps. I am sure your father has read many of his papers or even knew him. (very small circle) My sister has a travelling insect and reptile zoo and give lessons at schools.

You need to have your sister search all of the thrift stores during her travels.

I'm sure glad I'm not in sales (yet). I prob wouldn't get any work done bc my mind would be focused on the closest thrift stores in the area and what time they closed...I need help.