R. Rajola Shell Cameo Brooch with Marcasite Detail

A shell cameo brooch by R. Rajola, a shell cameo brooch by R.…
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A shell cameo brooch by R. Rajola, a shell cameo brooch by R. Rajola, featuring the finely carved profile of a woman, pierced filigree mount with marcasite detail, sign R.R to verso; sterling silver. Cameo measures 4 x 3 cm.

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  • Verso - Verso is the "back" side of a sheet of paper, art work, coin or medal. The front side is "recto".
  • Marcasite - Marcasite is a mineral, iron sulphide, but is rarely used in jewellery. Instead marcasite is the name given to iron pyrites, the mineral sold as marcasite which is identical in copmosition to iron sulphide but crystalises as a cube, making it more suitable for jewellery. It is a brassy yellow in colour and is also known as "fool's gold", and sits well with silver rather than gold becasue of its colour.

    Marcasite has been used in jewellery since ancient times and became popular again in jewellery in the 18th century, continuing through to the early 20th century, with the settings becoming cheaper as time progressed, eventually earning the sobriquet "costume jewellery" along with other cheap jewellery that was made for a prevailing pattern and meant to be changed with each new outfit.
  • Filigree Work - Jewels - Filigree is delicate and intricate ornamental metal-work made from thin threads of gold or silver, soldered and twisted together to give the effect of lace. The filigree work may be freestanding, or attached to the surface of an object.
  • Sterling Silver - Sterling silver is a mixture of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% of another metal, usually copper. Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver, and is relatively soft and the addition of the very small amount of copper gives the metal enough strength and hardness to be worked into jewellery, decorative and household objects.

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