Sea Opal - Vintage Sterling Silver Abalone Brooch (VBR018)

Sea Opal - Vintage Sterling Silver Abalone Brooch (VBR018)

$195.00

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Sea Opal - Vintage Sterling Silver Abalone Brooch. This lovely Brooch is crafted from sterling silver, hallmarked STERLING, Mexico and a makers mark. Featuring a genuine oval abalone, and vintage styling. The expertly bezel set abalone displays a beautiful rainbow of colours, and iridescence. The gallery is polished, smooth and solid, and the pin and lock mechanism is in perfect working order. The Vintage Brooch would make a great addition to any Jewelry collection.

Abalone shell pieces are found in Indian middens along the coast of California, showing that this was a common food item for hundreds of years. Asians harvested abalone in California during the 1800s and early 1900s. Most of this was done intertidally in the late 1800s. and then by diving in the early 1900s.

Also known as abalone shell and oyster shell, the abalone is where Mother of Pearl is found. They reside in South Africa, where they're considered very valuable. They can also be found in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and on the west coast of North America.

Silver's history is long. The first evidence of silver mining dates back to 3000 B.C., in Turkey and Greece, according to the RSC. Ancient people even figured out how to refine silver. ... The silver does not react to the air, but the base metals such as lead and copper oxidize and separate from the precious metal.

Measurements: Brooch 42.00 mm x 32.00 mm

Stone Size: 21.00 mm x 31.00 mm

Weight: 10.60 grams

Condition: Excellent

Origin: Mexico

Date: Circa 1960