Assistance to identify markers on silver brooch and should I buy

Here's something else I use when purchasing.

If in doubt, Don't. If you think you are paying too much, you probably are.
Something else always comes along.

Adding, if you REALLY REALLY like something price usually doesn't matter.

 

The top one is the older of the two.

 

It does?
Mine hasn't, it has always been pretty eclectic and still is. I still wear pieces I bought as a teen, many moons ago. My mother's taste didn't change either, it was also pretty eclectic.
Maybe we're just a weird family. Come to think of it, yes, we are.

I agree with buy what you would wear (or put on display), that is one of the questions I always ask myself before I bid.

 

They ended up next to each other, but I think you mean the first one, on the left?
It looks like a very desirable example of what wine lovers call 'pourriture noble' grapes, like the ones used to make the prestigious Sauternes wine.
Unintentional maybe, but I would love it just for that.

 

I think I collect for quite different reasons. I’ve always liked jewellery but just had the bits handed down from my mum and grandmother and rarely bought anything. I had another passion in my life which took up my every minute, then the kids came along and my lifelong passion was replaced by two fantastic kids that left no time for anything else. Don’t get me wrong, they are my world and adored above and beyond but sometimes you need something for yourself and 8 years in I was starting to lose the plot. Just stressed about everything.
I randomly bought a box of jewellery at auction and I found a love of sorting and researching vintage jewellery. I like anything I can research as that gives me some time every day when I can mentally go ‘somewhere else’.
Reading that back I sound like a basket case!
My tastes are eclectic but above all it has to be interesting- whether it’s a silver mark or a type of bead or a manufacturing process. I much prefer the older stuff but I’ve got one or two more modern pieces I’ve kept hold of.
If I fall out of love with them I move them on.
Like the OP, I’m also collecting some nice bits for the girls to inherit.

 

No, I think that is a very healthy thing to do.
My collecting and research are certainly therapeutic. And a form of escapism.

 

Definitely. There's only so much over enthusiastic 7 year old one can take without having to hide in a dark closet for a few minutes with a UV light, some pearls to nibble and my new friend Toilet Duck

 

In my case my taste hasn’t changed, but expanded.

When I was 20 I fell in love with silver Art Nouveau pins and I still love them. At that point I could only afford to buy a piece very, very rarely. Now when I see one I love I have the means to buy it.

I have developed a real appreciation for Victorian jewelry and treat myself to that when I see a nice example.

So basically I agree with clutteredcloset49, buy what you like. I do that when I am buying to sell figuring if it doesn’t sell I won’t mind having to keep it for myself

 

So did I, when I still sold. I have never regretted it.

 

Oh you guys are all so smart, and offer up so many good ideas and sound advice , all on a positive note , all trying hard to be most helpful and wise !!
& that's just great !!!

BUT........ then there's the cold hard truth....... my area of expertise !!

" to start a collection of my own and leave it for my children someday."

Don't bother ! You have no conception of what your kids will appreciate decades down the road, & that's a terrible reason to start a collection of anything. If you're going to collect something...anything , it had damn well be something you are passionate about , and can focus on enuf to lean the good from the bad to make wise choices , because it's you that has to live with this stuff and enjoy this stuff.
No honest collection was ever started by anyone thinking.." Gee, I wonder what I should collect , for when I'm dead !! "

" My grandmother had beautiful pieces and some of it I was able to keep to start my collection"

A collection, your collection should not be based on what a dead relative has left you. It can ' add ' to a collection that you've already started....& that's neat & welcomed.....but what we mostly see here is " Grandma left me some wonderful items.... What are they worth and how fast can I sell them !! "

" I have always had an interest in jewelry but never collected anything "

No reason to start now !
What is it you do have?
What is it you fancy?
What brings you JOY !!!!
There is a world out there of collectable items that can fill one's heart with joy, and enhance your life, as you live it ! Just browse this site !!!
There are those that collect , pottery, artworks, beads, artifacts, tools, glass, metals, photo's, ect., all with a fervent desire to live with the beauty they see in these items.... to live life surrounded by what they love.....without a thought of " My family will be so happy with my stuff , when I'm dead ! "

Yes jewelry has a large place in the world of collecting , but for that you'd first need a focus on what drives you , & what's in your heart !
@AnyJewelry 's collection and knowledge antique cultural jewelry that's so close to her heart ... it's so evident when she opines on it that it leaves us all mesmerized !!
@Bronwen 's knowledge and collection of Cameo's ....is so overwhelming that you can feel the love she has for those wonderful little carvings !!

But the love and respect and soul, doesn't stop there....

@Shangas 's love of old silver comes thru....gleaming !!
@afantiques , when he talks about clocks ....we listen !!!
@springfld.arsenal has a love for heavy metal that is 2nd to none ... it's cannonating !!
@VintageMaven 's love of photo's and music has captivated our eyes and ears !
@JamesConrad 's furniture discussions can be so passionate ....they're downright smoldering...

So you see .....it's not what you collect.....it's who you are dictates what you should collect...... and do it for love & for your own happiness.... cuz your family will remember you in their own way............and sell off the rest !

 

Yes, thank you. The one on the left is the earlier one. I also realize I probably could have found one without so many dents.

 

Yes that is probably a better way of putting it.

I started off with glass beads in 5th grade, early 1960s. Wore them all through high school. Still have them and wear them occasionally.
Then moved on to silver jewelry. Mostly found at flea markets for .50 and 1.00.

Didn't start my pin collection until about 15 years ago. The glitzier the better.

I've never been big on gold jewelry, although I have some nice pieces.

My mother wore some silver when I was young, but stopped and only bought gold. Studied gemstones and knew her diamonds, amethysts, pearls and opals. None of which I was ever fond of. Doesn't really matter as my sister ended up stealing most of it.

 

I spoke with the kids and they said they'd prefer a gift card for a iphone 43

 

Don't you mean.....Eye implant 43 !!

 

@komokwa I did come close to mentioning that it's unwise to assume your children will share a collection interest with you. I have a now quite aged uncle who has been passionate about model trains for most of his life. In his 90s, he still sometimes does repairs for other people but has pretty well sold off his own collection because none of his 3 children has the least interest.

I completely agree with komo: acquire what appeals to your heart & mind; don't try to outguess your kids. When the time comes, you children will keep what most reminds them of you (and/or what they always wanted themselves). Too bad collections of superannuated electronic devices are probably not going to be much in demand.

 

Every family is different but two of my most prized possessions are rings from my grandmother. I would have been devastated if my parents had sold them off assuming I wouldn't want them. Sadly most of her jewellery was lost in a house burglary after my grandparents died so those two rings are the only link I have to her.
My OHs mother sold off his grandfathers gold watch and he's never quite forgiven her.
What girl wouldn't want a collection of beautiful and valuable jewellery left to her?. If they don't like it they can sell it as at least a gold or diamond inheritance is unlikely to devalue.
I buy what I love and the girls look through my jewellery and tell me which bits they like so there is a shared interest.
I think it's a lovely thing to do to leave a child some pieces they have seen you wear. As I say, if they don't like them or have no interest they can sell them.Although I may spin in my grave if they sell those two rings
I don't mind why people post on here, their reasons for wanting information are mostly not important to me or any of my business, what's important to me is receiving (and very,very occasionally on red letter days being able to add to)the wealth of knowledge that is so generously given and carries on being given often long after some OPs have disappeared and probably sold that ring,chair,coin or necklace.
This forum is so full of amazing people who all throw their phenomenal knowledge into the mix to help others find out about their gems and so importantly treat all the posters and their 'treasures' with kindness and respect.
Not so sure I'm looking forwards to sorting out my fathers enormous workshop or my mothers antique teapot and feeding cup collection when the time comes though......

 

Think that's the nub, 'some pieces', the select few that the original owner particularly treasured, maybe not a collection inheritor would feel burdened by having to find space for it or bad about breaking up & dispersing. Bequeathing jewellery can be a perilous business: I know at least one pair of sisters who stopped speaking over who was to get mom's engagement ring.

 

If it wasn't the engagement ring it would be the cat or the collection of feeding bottles!.