No MARKS - Can anyone guess the age and the stone? Thanks

jenznz56 · Post by **jenznz56** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 2:56 pm

This has been in my own family for 60 years and belonged to my Mum, she fastened her plaid with it. All the family were competition pipers in NZ and their plaid jewellery was a point of pride.

It is quite heavy compared to the other 3 brooches I have posted but strangely the back is as smooth as a baby's bottom - not a single mark. Why would it not be marked?

Any clues as to any likely history? - guesses will be gladly accepted!

Many many thanks - kiwi jen

lifeintheknife · Post by **lifeintheknife** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 2:28 am

Brooch is from the mid to late Victorian period (the C clasp is the giveaway), which dates it from 1860 - 1901. It is probably Scottish in origin, and the pattern is of a thistle. The stone is probably citrine - of this I am 99% sure. There is a slim chance that it is a topaz, but I can almost guarentee it's a citrine.

Hold on to it. Although not worth a fortune, it is already has value above $50 US, judging from similar items that I have seen close on eBay.

jenznz56 · Post by **jenznz56** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 3:35 am

Thank you very much for that!