The $104 chance I took...

[KristinTech]

The listing said “emerald diamond cluster ring,” but no details were provided. The seller is in the UK. It looks like a very solid ring, but no weight was given. I love this style of ring and I can’t wait for it to get here.

Is this considered Art Nouveau?

Any ideas on the first two trademarks? The last two I believe are 9c gold and the Birmingham assay.

 

[FinleysMom]

I love this ring!
FM

 

[foxinsox]

That was a great gamble! It’s beautiful

 

[soxfan]

Gosh, for $104 it is a beautiful buy!!!

 

[Bron357]

Great buying there. The CJ would be the manufacturer the other mark should be a “letter” but I can’t read it. That would be for the date. If you check out British gold hallmarks you might come up with more answers.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Beautiful, love the style and can't beat the price!

 

[VRBeauty]

Unique ring! Looks like a good gamble to me! This might help you decipher the markings:

https://theassayoffice.co.uk/help-with-hallmarks/anatomy-of-a-hallmark

ETA: The second mark from the left looks like it might be scales with "375" superimposed. If that's the case, the link above suggests that this ring would have been made after 1972, which is kind of consistent with the fact that the ring, and especially the emeralds, look to be in very good shape. Whatever its age, it's a lovely design.

 

[KristinTech]

Great buying there. The CJ would be the manufacturer the other mark should be a “letter” but I can’t read it. That would be for the date. If you check out British gold hallmarks you might come up with more answers.

I’ll be excited when it gets here and I can inspect it more closely! It’s my size; I don’t think I would have pulled the trigger on this if I couldn’t see it in person AND it was the wrong size. I tried looking through makers marks, but there were so many, I just had no idea. We have a huge antique market here May-Nov. I’ll wear it there and ask some questions this spring.

 

[KristinTech]

Unique ring! Looks like a good gamble to me! This might help you decipher the markings:

https://theassayoffice.co.uk/help-with-hallmarks/anatomy-of-a-hallmark

ETA: The second mark from the left looks like it might be scales with "375" superimposed. If that's the case, the link above suggests that this ring would have been made after 1972, which is kind of consistent with the fact that the ring, and especially the emeralds, look to be in very good shape. Whatever its age, it's a lovely design.

I agree, it does look like the 375 with scales to me now that I see that link! Thank you!

 

[KristinTech]

Okay, different ring, but trying to put some new knowledge into practice...

@VRBeauty and others— what year do you think this ring was made? London assay, and is it a script H?

 

[meely]

Okay, different ring, but trying to put some new knowledge into practice...

@VRBeauty and others— what year do you think this ring was made? London assay, and is it a script H?

1982

 

[KristinTech]

1982

Thank you!

 

[KristinTech]

Ebay shipping says that my ring made it to NYC last night!

 

[AnnaH]

Nice! Good buy.

 

[KristinTech]

This shipping business from the UK is tough stuff! The waiting! It is out of NYC customs and has also left the USPS NY location.... hopefully it will be here on Tuesday or Wednesday! The official arrival time says Feb 14, but I can’t imagine it will take that long?

In other news, later that week I also made a $115 offer on this gold ring (the one with the above hallmark I was also asking about) and it may be here next week, too!). It’s 3.6 grams of gold, so I figured it was a safe bet. It is sized now for my index finger/middle finger... It was made in 1982–an antique style and ‘82 is now “vintage. I just liked the style, and there are several more expensive diamond ones on the market—just wanted to see how I liked this style in real life.

I’m now on a self-imposed Ebay ban! We’re “taking a break.”

 

[KaeKae]

Love both rings!

 

[KristinTech]

Both rings came today! I gave them a once-over and they’re now soaking in a warm bath. Pics to come! Getting two packages from the UK was pretty exciting to see this afternoon.

 

[KristinTech]

These were all pre-bath...

 

[KristinTech]

These are all post-bath!

 

[KaeKae]

Wow, Kristin, both rings are so, so pretty!
I need your ebay skills. Such great finds.

 

[KristinTech]

So, hmm... the rings definitely cleaned up nicely. Just warm water and some dawn soap and a little soft brush.

Sapphire ring: The sapphires are very dark, which I knew from the pictures. The side stones look the same—well matched. The center stone looks a bit brighter in some light. The diamond specks don’t really do much, but they did shine up with a bath. It’s a hefty little ring (3.6 grams) and I do really like the design. The swirl detailing on the gold is pretty!

Emerald ring: I love this style of ring! I like it much better than the sapphire ring. The diamonds must be 1 point single cuts. I can see the facets better in some diamonds than others. I have no idea if these are real emeralds. They seem window-y. And the middle one has a crack or something in it under my loupe, but I can’t make it out with the naked eye. It doesn’t really sparkle, but it does shine, and I love the ring. It definitely had lotion or something build up underneath, and a nice warm bath helped to clear away the diamond film from under the ring. The openings for the emeralds were bigger and didn’t seem to have the same clogging issue. It weighs 2.35 grams on my kitchen scale. It’s daintier, but the band is solid. It feels like it belongs on my finger—very easy to wear!

@KaeKae - thank you! But I do much prefer buying in person! I still feel like I got a good deal, even though I’m still not sure what I have.

 

[FinleysMom]

Excellent. Both are great!
FM

 

[FinleysMom]

Maybe we need an Ebay Find thread! Maybe we do.....

FM

 

[KristinTech]

Maybe we need an Ebay Find thread! Maybe we do.....

FM

Ooh, I’d love to read through a thread like that! It’s definitely risky, but with a good return policy by the seller, you can take the chance if you’ve got a bit of money to play with!

 

[kgizo]

Both rings are lovely! I think the sapphire is my fav as I think middle/index finger rings are so cool and I like that swirl pattern. Enjoy them!

 

[FinleysMom]

Ooh, I’d love to read through a thread like that! It’s definitely risky, but with a good return policy by the seller, you can take the chance if you’ve got a bit of money to play with!

I purchased an emerald ring off of Ebay in 2010. I paid $129.00 for it vs paying much more at a jewelry store...what the heck! I was very happy when I recieved it. To this day it is one of my favorites! JEWELERS even ask to take a look at it! Lol!

FM

 

[KristinTech]

I purchased an emerald ring off of Ebay in 2010. I paid $129.00 for it vs paying much more at a jewelry store...what the heck! I was very happy when I recieved it. To this day it is one of my favorites! JEWELERS even ask to take a look at it! Lol!

FM

Well, now we have to see a pic!!

 

[Maja]

@KristinTech Great finds, they are both so cunningly-worked, I love the details in old rings like that! Also, please let us know how it goes when you and eBay get back together, lol.

 

[FinleysMom]

Well, now we have to see a pic!!

Here Here you go! My ebay find ...

FM

 

[KristinTech]

@KristinTech Great finds, they are both so cunningly-worked, I love the details in old rings like that! Also, please let us know how it goes when you and eBay get back together, lol.

I am looking at inexpensive lockets there right now, but hopefully after mid feb (at our local “Third Sunday Market”), I’ll have some new vintage pieces!