Wow, that was fast. Thanks! I guess I'll start there with the research.
Yeah you are fine! I just mean they aren't $5!! Very pretty piece. As for dating see below post. The design is common but again there are some older ones so always check the clasp to date it
I couldn't tell in the pic--should have put could be earlier not def!
I couldn't tell what the back looked like and again it could be much later
The catch is really key to the date both the hinge and catch, it looked like a c but again its kind of dark. I think either way it was a fair price. I've included a pic of the older c closure.The newer chinese pieces are also marked Chinese and sterling or silver.... Persian turquoise was a fav of the Victorians but the pin design you see often - the center stone flanked by filigree and enamel so again it comes down to a combo of things. There is a good site-http://www.langantiques.com/university/index.php/Main_Page that has videos about each of the antique closures for pins from early victorian until later. They are kind of like the Vintage guild exclusively for jewelry. There are different resources and you can also ask questions about pieces you are stumped on. Here is the exact video which shows the various pin closures starting with victorian: http://vimeo.com/21395986 - good luck! Here is the 1901 safety closure example:http://vimeo.com/21438768
Of course this is so true you have to use it all but I like to start with clasps
Good point on Lang and the construction- the persian turquoise part is what got my hopes up!
