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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Any Jewelry, post: 4552841, member: 2844&quot;]Backs were usually closed to give strength to a piece, especially if that piece was made from a thin sheet of metal, which Biedermeier pieces usually were. Remember this was before the extensive gold mining of the late 19th and 20th century, so gold was scarce.</p><p><br /></p><p>In general, the choice of closed/partially closed back or open back depends on period, style and region. These factors, and the combination of the three, are something you have to take into account when assessing jewellery. Closed or not is never a way to tell gold from gilded, bonded, or base metal. If a piece isn&#039;t marked, testing is the only way.</p><p><br /></p><p>The pieces you showed are excellent examples of how two very different styles are constructed differently, and how a part open setting accomodates a stone, whereas a piece without a stone doesn&#039;t need an open back.</p><p>The lovely pendant has a partial closed back, it is not open. It only has an opening behind the stone, which the Schwäbisch Gmünd style doesn&#039;t need. Their garnets are too small, and the silver setting is already intended to give a clear look to the stones.</p><p>Btw, 10k wouldn&#039;t be considered gold in many countries, but that is another discussion.<img src="styles/default/xenforo/smilies/wink.png" class="mceSmilie" alt=";)" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>The brooch J Dagger posted is South German Biedermeier.</p><p>I have handled countless German Biedermeier pieces, and a closed back does not indicate which metal was used.</p><p>Most German Biedermeier pieces have a gold front and a gold plated silver (partial) back, like my pendant has. But some are gold all over, and some are gold plated silver all over.</p><p>Pinchbeck or similar metals are rarely found in this style. I have never come across one, which doesn&#039;t mean they were never made.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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