Lapis lazuli style cabochon cuff bracelet in a cast metal setting

This item is a cuff-style bracelet featuring a large, oval, blue cabochon that appears consistent with the appearance of lapis lazuli, showing characteristic deep blue hues with potential gold-toned flecks suggestive of pyrite inclusions. The stone is held within an integrated bezel setting atop a highly textured, openwork band. The band's design is stylistically consistent with organic or brutalist aesthetics, featuring an intertwined, vine-like or branch-like metal structure that creates a sense of movement around the central stone. The metal appears to be a silver-toned alloy, possibly sterling silver or pewter, though no hallmarks or maker's marks are visible in the image to confirm the metal content or origin. The interior of the cuff shows a hammered or cast texture consistent with artisan-made jewelry. Condition-wise, the piece shows some surface wear and oxidation in the recessed areas of the textured metal, which serves to highlight the complex design. Due to the lack of visible stamps, its identification as a specific brand or precious metal remains a hypothesis subject to in-person testing. The overall craftsmanship suggests a late 20th-century or contemporary artisan production.

Based on my visual examination of the provided image, I have assessed this cuff-style bracelet featuring a large lapis lazuli-style cabochon. The piece exhibits a textured, openwork cast metal setting with a brutalist or organic aesthetic. While the stone shows the characteristic deep blue and pyrite flecks associated with lapis lazuli, I cannot verify its mineralogical identity or determine if it is a synthetic or a composite material without physical testing. The metal appears to be a silver-toned alloy, but since no hallmarks are visible, I cannot confirm if it is sterling silver, pewter, or a base metal. The value estimate of $150-$350 is a hypothesis based on the assumption that the piece is an artisan-made sterling silver item with a genuine lapis stone. This range reflects the current market demand for vintage-style brutalist jewelry. However, if the metal is found to be a non-precious base metal alloy or if the stone is a simulated substitute, the value would likely decrease to the $40-$75 range. Conversely, if a specific notable maker's mark is discovered upon physical inspection, the value could exceed the current estimate. To confirm authenticity and a more precise valuation, a physical examination is required to test the metal's purity, verify the stone's refractive index, and look for obscured maker marks or provenance documentation. Currently, it is valued as an unattributed artisan piece of mid-to-late 20th-century design.