Jewelry

[Jeneenrenee]

I'm wondering if anyone has figure out how to get the enhancer bail off so it can be used as a pin.

[Kachina624]

@Jeneenrenee    I got the star pin/enhancer and have fiddled with it several times to no avail.  I cannot get the bail off.  I never intended to wear it as a pin so I gave up.  Very poorly designed.

[Venezia]

@Jeneenrenee @Kachina624 - I don't have this piece, but it looks to me as if the base of the bail is open.  (Otherwise, the bar gets in the way of removing the bail.)

Try opening the pin so that the bar of the pin is out of the way.  Flip the bail down towards the back of the pin, then lift it straight up.  It should just slide off.  Reverse that to reattach it.

Hope that works for you.

[Shanus]

I don't see a photo of the pin/enhancer, but a jeweler could use a small jeweler's saw to remove the bail. 

[depglass]

I figured they were mis-using repousse, but checking the definition, they are not.  It means the design is hammered into the metal from the back.  I'm familiar with a pattern of sterling flatware by Kirk Steiff with this name.  It is beloved by antique collectors.  I only kept a set of salt and pepper and a pickle fork in this pattern from when I sold antiques.  

[loriqvc]

@Jeneenrenee & @Kachina624 - @Venezia gave you a great start on this one. The bottom of the enhancer bail is connected into the loop on the heart or star in the same way the enhancer bail opens to go over a necklace. It's nice and tight to keep the bail securely attached, but you just need to firmly pull on the "bottom bail" to open it. Looking at that bottom piece from the side may help you see the connection. Let me know if you have any questions or if you successfully open the bail! 

[Kachina624]

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@depglass wrote:

I figured they were mis-using repousse, but checking the definition, they are not.  It means the design is hammered into the metal from the back.  I'm familiar with a pattern of sterling flatware by Kirk Steiff with this name.  It is beloved by antique collectors.  I only kept a set of salt and pepper and a pickle fork in this pattern from when I sold antiques.  

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@depglass    I've always loved that highly decorative Repousse pattern of flatware.  I had a good friend who had a whole set of it and never served a formal or even a family meal in her life.  It must be worth a fortune now.

[Jeneenrenee]

No, it actually isn't like the other end of the enhancer bale.  The only way to get it off is to bend the silver, which damages the loop because it's thinner than the end of the bale.  It really is a poor design.