Featured Aztec SunGod Aventurine Bracelet & Pin --TU for Comments

I believe this bracelet and pin is the Aztec SunGod and the stone is aventurine. The mark seems to be MEXICO or WEXICO with 3 letters that are hard to read --P? O? D? A

 

The stones look like dyed travertine/Mexican onyx.

 

Thank you for your informative comment. You reminded me that the person who evaluated it and said aventurine also said it was dyed. I am very impressed you can tell it is dyed by the photos. Am I correct to assume that aventurine would be much more valuable.

 

Yes, onyx.

Debora

 

No,both are fairly common stones.

 

The stones are not onyx,onyx is a quartz stone.The stones in the bracelet are travertine,a type of limestone.

 

Thank you. I would like to ask the question that follows this caveat--sometimes via text things can seem rude and I certainly don't want my question to seem rude or that I am questioning your expert opinions--I would just like to learn more. If possible could you tell me when I look through the loupe/or at the picture what I could look for to identify the stone. Thank you.

 

Noted. But it is commonly called Mexican onyx.

Debora

 

Limestone!!! This is so interesting. Thank you. I am going to look into this. I would like to learn more about travertine and limestone.

 

Many stones cannot be identified by just looking at a photo.Experience actually digging the stones and processing them.I started digging in mine dumps looking for tourmaline in southern California. Since then it's been traveling the U.S. for gold,garnets,sapphires and rubies,opal,emeralds,tourmaline and kunzite,etc.

 

Wow!! Sounds like you've been having boatloads of FUN!!!!!!!!!!

 

Wow what an unbelievably interesting and exciting life! I can't believe you actually dug in mines and then traveled around the US in search of gems. It must be wonderful to have found something in life you truly enjoy and are an expert in.

 

Depending on where you live there may be an area near you. Some areas the owners dig the material and people just wash and sort the material looking for the gems,stricter insurance practices now days.

 

There are some small white marks where I think it is scratched. I attached a picture of where the nose is white from being damaged/scratched. Would anyone know if the scratch went through to the color underneath and can not be fixed or could it be fixed. I hope I didn't ruin the piece.