Gold ring 18k - what the marks means?Please help.
- Thread starter portic
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Those are "assay marks," most likely European, and they can tell you a lot, but it would help to have one crucial piece of information first - what country the piece was made in.
Most likely the marks indicate the following:
~ that the gold purity equals or is greater than a specific standard (i.e., 14k, 18k)
~ the town or province in which the piece was assayed - i.e., in which the gold purity was verified, and
~ the year in which it was assayed
The main problem is that different countries, and even different municipalites, used different systems. That's why it would help to have at least a country of origin as a starting point. The second problem is that these marks can wear over time, particularly in a ring, so it can be hard to match them even once you've identified the country.
Here's one on-line resource:http://www.ebooksantiques.com/epage...Shops/62484473/Categories/Hallmarking_systems I'm sure you can google and find many more.
ETA - welcome to Pricescope!
Most likely the marks indicate the following:
~ that the gold purity equals or is greater than a specific standard (i.e., 14k, 18k)
~ the town or province in which the piece was assayed - i.e., in which the gold purity was verified, and
~ the year in which it was assayed
The main problem is that different countries, and even different municipalites, used different systems. That's why it would help to have at least a country of origin as a starting point. The second problem is that these marks can wear over time, particularly in a ring, so it can be hard to match them even once you've identified the country.
Here's one on-line resource:http://www.ebooksantiques.com/epage...Shops/62484473/Categories/Hallmarking_systems I'm sure you can google and find many more.
ETA - welcome to Pricescope!
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2006
- Messages
- 10,928
Similar hallmarks:
http://www.rubylane.com/item/1088739-x23RG107/Vintage-18ct-Gold-Snake-Ring-Rose
(The shield/triangle shape identifies it as being assayed in Chester - but there are other cities in England that used similar shapes.)
http://www.rubylane.com/item/1088739-x23RG107/Vintage-18ct-Gold-Snake-Ring-Rose
(The shield/triangle shape identifies it as being assayed in Chester - but there are other cities in England that used similar shapes.)
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