We were lucky to find a whole bunch of these cabochon pins as new old stock - never used - in a Brooklyn, New York warehouse. They are cleverly made and are in pretty nice shape considering that they were meant only to be novelties - and they are still around! There is slight wear from handling, but that's about it.
It appears that the cabs are made of metal and that the cabochon is white enamel and the stitching image has been transferred onto the cabochon either by printing or some other method.
We make a point of not cleaning vintage items - just in case! We wouldn't want to ruin the value.
If you care to do so, you might re-work these into assemblage pieces by removing the cabochon and applying a new image, or, indeed by replacing it with something else. Please be careful if you choose to remove the cabochon - especially if you are bending the prongs.
These were made by a novelty company - not a jewelry company - so please be careful when working with them.
Each measures 15/16 inch in diameter and has a self-pin on back that has been attached mechanically rather than by adhesive. So, for novelties, these are pretty well made.
These pins are from the 1950s and 1960s and were meant for sale in 5 and 10 cent stores such as Murphy's, Ben Franklin and Woolworths. We love them for embellishment and just for the memories (of the future)! One of these would make a swell gift package decoration, too!
Not for children.
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