Who made this brooch and when??

[Wiggy]

Hello,  

 I wonder if this or the photography board is the right one for this?

I would really appreciate help with this one - I know nothing about it but that it is believed to be my Great great aunt's brooch - she was born in Melbourne in 1867 - her parents came form Devon.

I think the mark on the back says R A James -   followed by numbers  5 6  - I think - can't be sure though and my camera isn't up to the task of reading it .

Maybe the style of brooch will help.     Have tried Googling goldsmiths but no luck as yet!

Wiggy     

[Joyful]

 Hi Wiggy

There is a R A James Watchmaker and Jeweller in the UK. Just google R A James w & j.  They

seem to specialise in clocks now but this guy is the third generation. Might be worth an email...

all they can say is no

As for the numbers take the Brooch to a reputable jeweller and get them to decipher it with

their loupe...just a thought

It's a lovely brooch and you must treasure it ... lucky you

Joy

[Wiggy]

Thanks Joy - that's a good idea. 

It also raises the question about whether I have the provenance of the brooch incorrect - the other side of the same family came from Staffordshire.

Thanks for that - I wasn't having any luck finding R A James in Australia.   I have emailed the jewellers in Staffordshire.   

Wiggy

[Ruskie]

That's very pretty Wiggy. Not sure your ggAunt would like you saying her brooch was a fly though. (I think it's a bee  ) .

You can usually id gold from it's marks, and work out when and where it was made. The numbers 5 and 6 don't really make sense as far as hallmarks go:
375 = 9ct
585 = 14ct
750 = 18ct
916 = 22ct
Could the numbers be 585 or 750?

Are you able to use a magnifying glass to have a better look at the numbers and anything else stamped on the back. Sometimes the stamps aren't very clear.

[Wiggy]

Actually on closer inspection  . . . . . .   (I am using a magnifying glass - plus my magnifying specs!!!  - I need more!  )   The light has changed here now and it is easier to see maybe.

I really can't tell - will have to do as Joy suggests and take it to a jeweller to look at!    Sometimes I look at the raised bits and get the C^t sign and others I see the depressions and get something quite different!  Too blind!        Would it ever be marked 15 or 18 C^t??   'cos it may be that!   It looks a very old gold colour.

So the stamping says R A James   then the ?? 15 /18 Ct  ??   that's all I can see.  No room for more anyhow!

When I look at the photo again I can see the C^t sign right at the end - can you??

[Ruskie]

Image isn't clear enough to read anything other than the name. Yes, I believe the Ct number could be used. 

[Wiggy]

Well R A James in Staffordshire have answered the they don't know

- told me to contact the London Assay office - so I've done that.

Wiggy   

[Joyful]

  Finger crossed for you Wiggy

Joy

[Ermintrude46]

Could it be a tie pin, looks as though the pin part is on the end of a little chain rather then part of the structure or does it clip on somehow?
Ermy