Posted 10 years ago
Lorriej47
(1 item)
The stone is vintage or antique as had for 20-25 yrs before setting in 14 k gold pendant and that was 15 yrs ago. Always receive compliments whe worn and I have not met anyone else who has ever seen one. Great but problem is through all my research I have never come across a "3rd" one, ( I have another loose one). Therefore I have no idea if it's valuable or not. Either way it's a wonderful conversation piece and the mystery, although sometimes frustrating, is part of the fun!
Your mystery stone is a particular shell part.
It is called "operculum".
Very used in some victorian jewels, still today in Corsica.
In French, it is named "oeil de Sainte Lucie", renowed to protect from devil's eye!
Google for it, I will search some links!
One link for images:
https://www.google.fr/search?q=victorian+operculum+jewelry&client=safari&hl=fr&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=ipoAVKi-LebW0QWMx4C4Dg&ved=0CBwQsAQ&biw=320&bih=372
Your's is actually from a Turbo petholatus shell, due to it's color.
Google for "Turbo Petholatus operculum" images.
kyratango, wow thanks I was looking at it and also wondering ! Great solve :-))))
http://www.rubylane.com/item/637592-23437blx2f231/Victorian-Era-Tan-Green-Operculum-Shell
http://danielleoliviatefftwrites.com/1/post/2013/10/jewelry-oddities-operculum.html
Nice info here also thanks to kyratango !! I had never heard of it before
Thanks Manikin! So, I'm not only a troll... LOL ;-)
Your a troll lol I did not know that :-))
Wow Kyra! Information Queen!
Kyratango and Manikin, tysm for your help! You have solved my mystery! The story behind the Operculum Shell and why it is worn is very interesting. I can't begin to tell you how excited I was to go to these sites you suggested and have my stone pop up immediately, I have waited soooo long! Thanks again!
Thanks for your thank Lorrie, we love to solve mysteries here ;-)
Thanks I have a ring like this been searching forever glad I happened upon this:)