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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Bronwen, post: 4599473, member: 5833&quot;]That&#039;s exactly what it is.&nbsp; This type appeared in the early 20th century.&nbsp; If they were as unreliable when new as I find many of them these days, no wonder there was demand for a better design.&nbsp; Some of them you can hear &amp; feel snap shut; they stay closed well.&nbsp; On some the mechanism moves freely up &amp; down; these are liable to opening spontaneously, sometimes with unwanted consequences.</p><p><br /></p><p>Although not an extreme example of the form, brooches in this shape are said to have been inspired by Halley&#039;s comet, which made an appearance in 1910.</p><p><br /></p><p>It is a strongly built piece.&nbsp; I think you are correct that it is gold &amp; amethyst.&nbsp; I sometimes see this paler color referred to as &#039;rose de France&#039;.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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