Pendant in an Art Nouveau-style silver-tone setting

This item is an ornate pendant featuring a large, oval-shaped, light-green cabochon. While the owner identifies this material as potentially jade, the stone is unverified and could also be chrysoprase, chalcedony, or a glass/composite simulant. The cabochon is opaque with a smooth, polished surface and a uniform mint-green hue. It is housed in an openwork metal frame featuring flowing, organic scrolls and foliate motifs stylistically consistent with the Art Nouveau or Nouveau-Revival periods. The metal appears to be a silver-toned alloy, exhibiting significant dark tarnish and surface patina in the recessed areas, which provides depth to the sculptural elements. No hallmarks or maker's marks are visible in the image, so the metal content (such as sterling silver or silver plate) remains unauthenticated. The construction appears sturdy, with the stone secured by four decorative leaf-shaped prongs. The bail at the top is integrated into the scrollwork design. The presence of dark oxidation suggests age, though the exact era cannot be determined without physical inspection; it is consistent with mid-20th-century costume jewelry or boutique artisan work.

Based on my examination of the image provided, the item is an Art Nouveau-style pendant featuring a mint-green cabochon, which the owner identifies as potentially jade. From the photo, I can see a stone with a dense, opaque color consistent with jadeite or nephrite, but it could also be chrysoprase or a glass/composite simulant. I cannot verify the material's identity without gemological testing. The setting exhibits a silver-tone finish with heavy tarnish. While it has the appearance of sterling silver, I cannot confirm the metal content because I cannot see any hallmarks or maker's marks; it may be silver-plated base metal or a non-precious alloy typical of mid-20th-century costume jewelry. The $45–$85 range reflects the value for a vintage boutique-quality piece assuming the metal is a silver alloy and the stone is a semi-precious variety like chalcedony or lower-grade jade. If physical inspection confirms the metal is high-purity sterling silver and the stone is a high-quality jadeite, the value could increase toward $150–$250. Conversely, if it is confirmed to be silver-plated metal with a glass cabochon, the value would likely fall below $25. Market demand for Art Nouveau-revival aesthetic remains steady, though unbranded pieces depend heavily on material verification and condition for their final valuation. To reach a higher degree of certainty, an in-person examination using an acid test for metal purity and a refractometer for gemstone identification would be required.