Featured Finds from a house call to die for

OK, here is the story, my camera is on the fritz! After 10 years of constant use I guess it is about time!

I checked the ring and the back of the cameo is flat. I pulled the cameo of the painter that is easy to ID as pink shell (curved back) and tested both with my gem tester. Both tested just at the cusp of quartz, who knew? I never expected it! Based on that I think the ring is also pink shell.

Very cool, it never occurred to me to test what is obviously a shell cameo. Thank you Bronwen, I love having tested the shell cameo and I would never have thought of it if not for you

DH and I will be going to get a new camera next week so maybe I can get some decent photos of the ring, but I think it's moot, it must be shell!

Thanks Bookahtoo, it was so much fun! The pieces we set aside for auction are supposed to come up in November at a local auction house. I think I will have to go incase I can snag anything else

 

My sympathy on the demise of your camera. Know I would find myself very handicapped if mine gave up the ghost. Happened to look again at the photo of the ring right before getting to this post. Even without seeing any other views, I am sure it is conch, which I happen to love BTW. Interesting to know that conch shell tests so close to quartz. Have never known anyone try that before. Thanks for that tidbit of info.