Ivory broach.....i think

[Turbo21]

Found this in the backyard of a house built in the 1840's. Definitely gold plated. But I believe it's ivory. It passed the hot needle test. Not leaving a mark or creating a burning hair smell (bone)

What do you think. And what age could be placed on this? It still needs cleaned up a little better but I don't see any markings on the back

 

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[CRUSADER]

These are often made from shell or stone.

 

[Turbo21]

These are often made from shell or stone.

How can I tell the difference? It is very smooth to the touch. Light shines through it. And on the back I can see striations like looking closely at a fingernail. At least it's not plastic lol

 

[TNGUNS]

Wow, that thing is beautiful. Wouldn't ya love to know how and when it was lost. Always makes ya wonder the story behind such a piece.

 

[Turbo21]

Got the front cleaned up a little better

 

[Isaac]

That is a beautiful cameo brooch! Excellent find!!! Probably Victorian Era!

 

[CoinandRelicMan]

Really nice artifact there, I would love to find one of those !!

 

[CRUSADER]

How can I tell the difference? It is very smooth to the touch. Light shines through it. And on the back I can see striations like looking closely at a fingernail. At least it's not plastic lol

Victorian Cameo's are not really my area, I like the workmanship, but I'm no good at telling which material they used (& they used many).

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

Welll I can't tell you much either except I do like it, a cameo is still on my wish list, and therefore I think it a really nice find...whatever it is made of. If it is Ivory it would be the second ivory item posted this week. That's unusual for sure.

A lot of nice finds continue to surface, which amazes me after all this time.

Dang I got to get out there myself.

Congrats, nice find. And something different for a change.

 

[Silver Searcher]

Victorian Cameo's are not really my area, I like the workmanship, but I'm no good at telling which material they used (& they used many).

Soapstone... Nice Brooch.

SS

 

[Turbo21]

Soapstone... Nice Brooch. SS

Ok. Now adding soapstone to the mix. How to tell the difference ?

Thanks

Bob

 

[49r Relics]

No matter what it's made of (my guess would be tusk), cameos are very collectible, it's a fantastic find! Congrats. Bone and tusk is a little heavier than soap stone.

 

[Turbo21]

Thanks guys. Will a jewler be able to tell what material it's made out of? Any one want to take a guess at when it was made?

 

[BurntBear]

If it's a type of stone or mineral, you could take it to a gemologist or maybe a college that has a geological department that might help.

 

[Guest 1551]

Thanks guys. Will a jewler be able to tell what material it's made out of? Any one want to take a guess at when it was made?

its possible they'll be able to tell. Im leaning towards shell like Crusader said but i wouldnt throw ivory out of the mix. The color (IMO) doesn't look like ivory though i could very well be wrong. Beautiful and awesome find either way. Congratulations.

 

[jewelerguy]

beautiful!

 

[Turbo21]

The one thing I read about ivory is that it can dry out. While cleaning with just water I noticed it seemed to absorb water and look better with color

Look at the differnece when dry and when wet. It darkens and looks more like ivory in the picture where it was wet. Ivory can be rehydrated by using mineral oil in a cloth wrapped around it overnight. And this done without hurting the piece.

I can see ivory being in dirt going through extreme cycles of drying and being over hydrated. So I will give the mineral oil a try

 

[rodarian]

When you do find out the details i would really love to know. It's gorgeous!

 

[CoilyGirl]

Very nice find!

 

[dirtlooter]

I believe that the older ivory(at least the ivory that has been handled very much) yellows somewhat with age.... but no matter what it is made of, it is a beautiful cameo, congrats on the spectacular find.