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Old 04-05-2008, 05:42 PM
Bodecia Bodecia is offline
Pearl Designer & Collector
Senior Guide Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 285
Hi Tom and thanks. Here is some more info that the seller had listed. It looks natural to me and not a shell. I will post some more photos in a few minutes. Can you guesstimate on value?

Quote:
Gorgeous authentic Art Nouveau chateleine pin in Sterling Silver with a natural Pearl. At the time this pin was made there were no cultured pearls. I have read that Mr Mikimoto actually developed the technique for inducing pearl creation and that did not happen until the late 1910s. This pin dates to at least a full decade prior to that, and probably more. It comes from the Estate of a family who moved from Russia to the United States in the early 1900s. I also believe it is Brittish as it is marked "Sterling" in the back.

It measures 1 1/8" tall by a bit over 1" wide. Closes with an old fashioned C shaped clasp. It is in beautiful condition, only showing a small bowing to the clasp prong due to wear.

The pearl measures 1/2" tall by 5/16" wide. It is lustrous and has good orient, with many colors displayed. It is a baroque pearl which happens to resemble a flower, the silver leaves enhance the shape. A very unique piece and truly one of a kind.
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