I see differences too, cuz I zoomed way in, and that also made me wonder if they are not hand carved. Look at the neck of the gown on the left, it looks like a 'v' neck. The one on the right appears more rounded (can't see the bottom of the 'v' anyway). Look at the waves in the end of the hair, behind the ear at the nape of the neck. On the right it appears to be 3 thinner symmetrical waves, on the left it appears to be two fuller waves. Facial features; the one on the right appears to have a more pointed chin, more defined lips, rounded nose. The one on the left has a softer chin, softer lips, straighter 'romanesque' nose (that's not a word, lol). If they were not hand carved, wouldn't the only other option then be machine made? And if machine made, wouldn't they be much closer to almost virtually identical? (Don't know about cameos much.) Imagine the skilled labor that would have to go into something hand-carved in such minute detail! Here is an example I found (bottom center of page), they are cuff links, but still a matching pair, they have subtle differences as well and are priced at $500. I just did a little googling, and found this from How to Identify Antique Vintage Sterling and Silver Jewelry Content: Look for marks, usually on the inside or clasp. If the jewelry is marked 800, it is considered COIN SILVER, and is 80 percent silver with 20 percent alloy. Jewelry must be .925 to be sterling silver in the USA. Most of the newer jewelry is marked .925 if it is sterling silver. .950 is a little better quality of sterling silver, and is found in older jewelry. .835 is common for older European silver. This offers some dating for the .835 silver in Europe. (I'm not big on yahoo's Q&A but that answer came from a librarian it says. ;) They are very pretty sweeby!

I don't have wrinkles, yet; probably because I'm too plump for them to show! LOL As for the chins, and grey/thinning hair - that's me! And inside I am still 17. I have always loved, LOVED jewelry, any and all jewelry. I have a gypsy's soul and a magpie's love of the sparkly. A crystal to hang in the window, or a diamond on my finger...they make me equally happy. In my early years, I could not afford the types or amounts of jewelry I wanted. It was the 70s, and I was very happy with macramé bracelets, beads, and faux scrimshaw earrings. Still, I loved jewels and gold and sparkles. I certainly wasn't jewelry impoverished; I just felt as though I was. I had (and still have) a lovely amethyst ring from Grandma; a green-faced gold Seiko watch, a pair of pearl studs, a sterling charm bracelet, and a pearl pendant necklace. At age 27 I joined the Air Force and finally had the freedom and income to enjoy more "girly" things. I bought gold stud earrings, since we could wear them with our uniforms, a pair of diamond-cut gold dangle earrings (that I have worn every Christmas since 1984) a gold bangle bracelet and a couple vintage rings. I love them. After years of working and living in areas with more resale shops, I accumulated lots of shiny things, new and vintage, real and faux, many of which have now been shared with nieces and younger friends. I still have my favorites...a collection of costume jewelry brooches, "good" earrings, and a knotted/beaded Swarovski bracelet that has just the right amount (too much!) sparkle. Mom recently gave me her diamond stud earrings. I was speechless; I had always wanted diamond earrings but wouldn't buy them for myself. I thought they should be a gift from "a sweetheart." I was wrong; nothing can match the charm of diamond earrings from your Mom while she enjoys you wearing them. Wes has spoiled me with more "real" jewelry, three rings, an 18k gold chain and cartouche from one of his stints in one of the desert wars, and the freedom to look for vintage treasures as I like. I'd much rather have a vintage, well-loved piece of jewelry, real or costume, than the new items I see in the stores. I look at my well-used, worn, red, ashy hands and think, what a beautiful ring...it would have shown better on my "young" hands, but it still makes my "old" hands and eyes happy. And when a niece admires it with a magpie glint in her eye I will take it off and give it to her. Let her young hands enjoy it now. HeeHee, I know Santa Wes is giving me a pair of vintage late-40s, 14k gold, amethyst (my birthstone) and emerald (his birthstone) earrings for Christmas. I helped choose them, but I can't see or touch them until Christmas morning.

Lisa brought up something I was wondering, but was hesitant to voice. Many home health aids aren't nurses--not even close. They take a quick course (6-8 weeks) and are proclaimed to be medical personnel. My mom had home health aids for the last few years of her life. When we cleaned out her apt., after she died, there were a number of things missing that we all thought should have been there. Nothing definite, nothing really valuable, nothing we could prove, but independently, we'd each noticed that there were things that seemed to be missing. And while some of the aids were wonderful, caring and hardworking, there were some who would come in, sit down, chat with mom for 2 hours and figure they'd done their job--NOT! So I'd add my concern about the women who might have been there. Some come from better backgrounds than others. Some have more personal integrity than others (and that doesn't really have anything to do with how much training they've had). Just one more personal thing--I don't even take my jewelry into the bathroom. Not for any of the issues being discussed here, but I'm always worried that a piece will fall down the drain. So I keep mine in my dresser drawer in the bedroom, put it on and take it off there, I even clean it in the bedroom--just to make sure I don't lose a piece down the plumbing. Not saying yours went down the sink--know that's not the case--just making a side point for your consideration.

To the OP, if this has been a somewhat sudden/recent change (that washing your hair is exhausting) you might need to pay a visit to your MD. It sounds from many of the posts that this is not so uncommon as we age, but it also would be a classic symptom of silent heart problems and worth getting checked out. Women tend to have much more subtle symptoms than men, sometimes it can be hard to get our MDs to take them seriously. And, a recent check-up with no signs of trouble is not a warranty. Heart disease is notoriously hard to detect without symptoms. Not that I want to scare you, but I felt it should be said to be on the safe side. Heart disease is still the #1 killer of women, and symptoms like fatigue, an little ache in the shoulder or back, or an upset stomach are so easy to think are nothing.