Another brooch. Thistle.

[LoneyBones]

Hi all,
this brooch belonged to my mother but I don't think it's antique.
It is silver, with marcasite and an amethyst. Mum may have bought it herself.
It doesn't have any hallmark, just the number 81, then STG SIL. So unless the 81 means something there's nothing else to go on except maybe a date when marcasite became fashionable and a date/place when hallmarks were not compulsory.
Any help will be much apreciated.
Leonie.

[LoneyBones]

A close-up of the marking.

[elinga]

hi there STG stands for Sterling , Sterling Silver ,could the 81 be for the year, ie 1881?
 thats all I can help you with.
lovely brooch!
regards
Elinga

[LoneyBones]

H Elinga,
if it's a straight forward date it would more likely be 1981. 
It's a fairly classic Scottish design, Mum could have bought it just about anywhere, but most likely in Sydney. (Aus.)
That said, there are some very good antique shops in Sydney, but 1881 would definitely have had at least a makers mark, even if made in Ausralia.
Leonie.

[bykerlads]

The amethyst has quite a bit of wear on the surface perhaps indicating some age?
It has rather a 1940's/50's look to it to me , in its style.
Lovely piece.
Brooches like this always remind me of my grandmother and her sisters in the 1950's- not well-off ladies but always smart with a nice brooch and beads, g;oves and a good handbag.