Any Ideas on the Lava Cameo Bracelet

[Mark]

Hi,

Would anyone have any info on this lava cameo.

It looks like brass although I have not yet acid tested it, I guess it could be gold as it does have some weight to it?

What are those metal beads called?

It is unmarked.

Any info on where and when it was made (And if it has a particular name eg Berber) would be brilliant.

Thanks,

Indy

[vicki hufstetler]

Wow Mark, Cool old pieces there. I'm pretty sure what you've got here is a "Refab" or "Marriage" of old pieces. One appears to have been a locket or had a pin back at some point, while the rest here I think may have been parts of a watch fob. The short length of chain, and the unusual clips, indicate that to me anyways. 

My hunch is that your beads are gold, or gold filled, just because of their color. But of course without a marking, or testing we won't know for sure. They would be called "Filigree" I think?  Also, check carefully with a jewelers loop, or a good magnifying glass is you have one, for markings of any kind, front, back on rims and on all the pieces here - the chain may have a marking somewhere to. Any marks will help you ID your pieces.

These could be Lava carved cameo's, but might also be Onyx or if they are Victorian - which they might be, they could be made of a substance called "Gutta Percha" - it's actually a coal pellet type material, and very collectible. These were made as "Mourning" Jewelry in most cases.

I found a good article on ID'ing your cameo, which might help you too. Here it the link: https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-a-Cameo-Is-Authentic

Good Luck and please keep us posted. It's a lovely old thing! 

[Mark]

Hi Vicki,

Thanks for your comments you definitely have given me a good base on which to research more.

Much appreciated,

Indy