Antique lava cameo of mother & three children pin/pendent

A jeweler has confirmed this is a Victorian lava brooch from the late 1800’s. These brooches were popular during the 19th century, especially in the mid to late Victorian period due to the discovery of the the buried cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae. It is not created from molten lava but rather from the cooled and solidified volcanic rock, known as lava stone. Lava stone, often sourced from volcanic regions such as Italy's Mount Vesuvius or Mount Etna. The gold frame in this brooch is unmarked. It can be used as either a pin or a pendant. The jeweler looked at it with his magnifying glass and said it was in good condition and was unscratched. This particular lava cameo is very detailed with a woman and a baby and two small children. They are highly prized for their unique appearance and craftsmanship and are sought after by collectors.