Featured Moonstone stickpin! Age?

Found this at an antique store for $27. The moonstone looks very very clear, not sure if this is good or bad? Are they more desirable in a milky color? The stickpin itself looks and probably is gold of some sort, no markings. The lady who sold it to me said it was late Victorian, looking at similar examples I may agree with that. Thoughts?

 

Beautiful. I agree, Victorian.
I like the clarity of the moonstone, and it would show the material underneath.

 

These were often rolled gold or low karat 10K. Fancier ones might be 12K.

Could be as late as the 1920s. Hard to tell with a simple style.

Nice, I like the clarity.

 

Is it really a moonstone? What color of rotating flash does it have?

 

I was wondering the same thing.

 

Take a tooth brush and soapy water and clean the back of the stone,it looks like something is in the center of the stone but dirt and reflection are seeing what it is.

 

Interesting find here, I had noticed there was something behind the stone when i bought it but never really looked closely. Still not sure what it is exactly, could be an initial or just scratches. What do you guys think? I got some good pictures here. As to what color it is when I roll it, hard to explain.... Milky I guess? As I look at it more they just seem to be scratches, but how? and right in the middle? Odd.....

 

Not sure where the scratches came from,but it looks like air bubbles at the 7 o'clock position and maybe others or lint elsewhere.

 

It looks like a really nice moonstone from here. I'd have snagged that too.

 

Here are super close ups of the stone. How in the world can I clean the dirt out from under the gold bezel on the back? Also, don't see any air bubbles, maybe it was the lighting? Take another look here? Thank you! Those bad scratches are on the back. Anyway to buff em out?

 

It doesn't look like dirt, more like glue separating from 2 layers of a doublet.Without knowing what type of stone it is,polishing out the scratches would need to be sanded and polished with a specific compound.

 

I am assuming you bought this for your self and not to resell, is that correct?
Are you planning on wearing it? Displaying it? or Making into another type of jewelry piece?
If selling or making into another jewelry piece, then maybe the scratches would be a problem. Otherwise, I personally wouldn't worry about them. They look worse than they really are because you have blown up the size of the photo and it magnifies all flaws.

As for the lint, have you already washed it? Dawn dish washing detergent (the original blue one) and a soft toothbrush.

 

Okay so I will be keeping this for myself. The scratches don't bother me and are almost invisible in certain light. I did wash it with just water but I think I can do better! Kind of hesitant to throw soap on it. If this isn't a moonstone what else can it be? It really does look like a moonstone to me! Also, can we agree on late Victorian? I really don't sell any of jewelry as long as it is something I can wear myself!

 

Well most of us are in agreement that it is probably a moonstone.
Other possibilities include quartz, or glass. None of them should be affected by a good soapy wash. You just need to rinse thoroughly, other wise it may leave a residue causing it to be cloudy.

As to time period, I'm not sure when tie pins went out of favor. They are still used, but tie bars are used far more often.

I would think 1920/30 at the latest. Only my opinion. Fashion experts may know better than me.

 

After seeing the picture in post #10, I agree it's a moonstone.

 

Okay great thanks! I will definitely have this tested for gold content. Really does look like solid gold of some sort based on the fact I see no wear spots anywhere. Lastly, what is a doublet and is this one? I read briefly about them and would they really doublet a moonstone like this? Seems like the method became popular around 1850 but they would adhere a piece of colored glass to a gemstone. Interesting!

 

A doublet is a stone that's topped with a layer of glass or another stone. It's usually done with fragile pieces like opals, especially the boulder ones. They tend to be thin slices. Sometimes it's done to change the color of a stone or to imitate something more expensive.

 

Emeralds(soude emerald),rubies,sapphires,etc, can also be doublets and triplets.

 

Garnets and tourmalines too, if memory serves, but they're not nearly as common as shell and opal. Or butterfly wing in some vintage costume jewelry.

 

So it is 14k solid. Definitely is a moonstone as well! Nice piece here!