Antique seed pearl and green stone stickpin

[glitterata]

I'm back with another antique stickpin. As usual, I wasn't sure whether to put it in the antique jewelry forum, the pearls forum, or the colored stones forum.

This style of jewelry, with tiny natural pearls sewn onto a mother-of-pearl frame with white horsehair, was popular from the beginning to the end of the 19th century. People liked to give these pieces to young girls and brides. I'm not sure when this example is from. The stone is 8mm in diameter. The seller thought it was peridot; the photos looked more like chrysoberyl; but now that it's here, my jeweler friend thinks tourmaline. Whatever it is, it's not glass, judging from the inclusions.

 

[stracci2000]

Wow, that is really gorgeous. So labor intensive. I bet they had young girls with good eyes making those things.
And do tell about the lovely sterling silver engine turned box .......

 

[glitterata]

Wow, that is really gorgeous. So labor intensive. I bet they had young girls with good eyes making those things.
And do tell about the lovely sterling silver engine turned box .......

Thank you! A whole batch of little antique treats arrived over the past few days (including this pin and the silver box you spotted in the background--good eye!). I'll start a thread about them after I get some good photos.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Wow so pretty and weird! Just the right combination of characteristics.

 

[Dreamer_D]

It looks like a sea creature!

 

[Catmom]

Oh that is so beautiful! What an amazing find.