Who made this brooch and when??

[LoneyBones]

It's all very confusing really. 
Anyway... we haven't found out anything about who made it.
(This isn't getting away from the topic.)
I got some good info about my brooch maker. He was still making jewellery in Chester in 1885, he closed down and sold out in the 1890s.  erm...     somebody posted the newspaper item on my thread. 
It was wilcoxon. 

[Wiggy]

I haven't been able to take the brooch to a jeweller yet

- think that is my next option!   

or to an antique dealer!

[Joyful]

I think that it's the best thing to do Wiggy
...and at this stage your only option

    Joy

[Wiggy]

Very good news about yours LoneyBones.         

[John915]

Good evening,

Gold and silver are both soldered or brazed using the parent type of metal. Either by simply heating and melting the two parts into one another (as a blacksmith does with wrought iron). Or by using thin gold or silver wires as a solder/brazing rod to effectively join the 2 or more parts.

John915

[youngtug]

Heating and melting the two parts into one is welding. Soldering and brazing  is using another substance to stick the two parts together.

  http://youtu.be/Ssmg-D3bjUU

and an example of hammer welding http://youtu.be/dXiideiZnZg

[bykerlads]

I love the brooch- it wouldn't surprise me if it was not of British origin because the insect looks unlike any insect brooches I've seen in English jewellery- small wings, rather mandible-like front legs, looks exotic?
Am no expert, just a thought.