What is my brooch made of?

I am going to spend the next few posts examining the different materials vintage brooches were made from . Hopefully this will help you to identify the ones you have - please do mail me if there is anything interesting you would like covered or you think I am going to miss ( Always quite possible)

Here is a quick list but I am sure to think of a few more as I go along

Precious metals ( Gold, silver, platinum)

None precious metals ( copper, brass, silver plate, mixed metals, pewter, Iron, Steel and stainless steel, pot metal, pinchbeck)

Gemstones ( precious, semi-precious, hardstones and imitation)

Wood, Jet, Plastics of all types, glass, Bone & Ivory, Hair,

Pottery and porcelain, Rubber, Gutta Percha, Horn

enamel, butterfly wings, shell, paper ( including paintings), leather, insects ( scarabs)

Coral, pearls

and anything else I can find an example of .................