AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a mid-20th-century Egyptian Revival style charm bracelet featuring five oval-shaped, hand-carved gemstone scarabs. The bracelet is constructed from a yellow gold-toned metal, likely 12k or 14k gold-filled or high-quality costume plating, which was common for this style in the 1950s and 60s. The semi-precious stones appear to include pink rhodonite, unakite, carnelian, green onyx (or dyed chalcedony), and tiger's eye or banded agate. Each stone is set within a simple bezel and connected by double-ring jump links. A notable feature is the presence of a metal hangtag near the spring ring clasp, which likely contains a maker's mark or gold-purity stamp. The bracelet includes a fine safety chain for added security. The condition appears fair to good; there is visible surface wear and slight tarnishing on the clasp and jump rings, which is consistent with age. One stone (the green scarab) shows a slight misalignment in its setting. The craftsmanship is characteristic of American jewelry manufacturers of the mid-century period, such as Van Dell or Winard, who popularized this specific scarab aesthetic.

I have conducted a visual inspection of this Egyptian Revival scarab bracelet, which displays characteristic traits of mid-20th-century American manufacture. The assortment of hand-carved semi-precious stones, including carnelian and rhodonite, combined with the double-link construction and safety chain, suggests a high-quality gold-filled piece likely produced between 1950 and 1965 by a maker such as Van Dell or Winard. The presence of a metal hangtag is a strong indicator of a branded manufacturer, which bolsters marketability. Under magnification, the condition is fair to good; there is evident patina on the spring ring and wear to the gold-fill on the jump rings. The slight misalignment of the green chalcedony stone is a common manufacturing idiosyncratic detail and does not significantly detract from the value, though it prevents a 'mint' classification. Market demand for mid-century scarab jewelry remains steady among vintage enthusiasts, though it is a saturated market. Similar gold-filled examples typically realize between $100 and $250 at auction or retail. If the hangtag confirms a 14k solid gold composition rather than gold-filled, the value would increase significantly based on melt weight and prestige, potentially reaching $600-$900. Limitations: This appraisal is based solely on visual evidence. I cannot definitively verify the metal purity or distinguish between natural and synthetic stones without a physical acid test, hallmark verification under a jeweler's loupe, or a thermal conductivity test for the gemstones. To finalize this valuation, a physical inspection of the hangtag stamp and an assessment of the gold layers' integrity would be required.