steel button with opal center ©booksandbuttons
What can you tell me about this old steel button? It’s about an
inch and 3/8″ in diameter, and I know it’s steel because a
magnet sticks firmly to it.
I’m sorry to tell you that it has a lot of rust and so I’m being careful
not to handle it too much. Those are small steel rivets attached in a
floral pattern. The button is cup shaped, but the opal is placed on
the top of the button, not down in the center of the cup.
The back of the button has a simple metal shank:
back of steel button ©booksandbuttons
Maybe there was once a liner at the back?
The opal is especially “fiery” I think, and I
compared it to some earrings I have:
opal button compared to modern earrings ©booksandbuttons
I like the bluer tones in the button’s opal.
Even if the button is in pretty rough shape, I like
it and wish I had more information about it. Can
you help?
The Mystery of the Opal Button
The man in the tuxedo looked around frantically . Where to hide the opals? He threw open the closet door and pushed aside the rack of dresses. At the back of the closet, he saw it. Yes! But he had to work quickly…..
Ha! Wasn’t he clever to have some Elmer’s Glue with him!
Thanks–that solves that!
Do you ever try to clean them? You could cover the opal with painters tape & use some steel wool to get the rust off. I’ve found some amazing designs & details hidden under rust & grime on old buttons.
It’s an idea! I’ll try to get my courage up to try it. Thanks!