Spinel various color gemstones.! I recently located a jewelry necklace which came to a friend in her inheritance .Markings say 925 Italy on clasp.!

[edw_kym]

 

[qubitasaurus]

I think 925 is a sterling silver alloy. It's pretty, I would have guessed at apatite and synthetic spinel for the stones, it's impossible to tell from the photos though so I am just guessing.

 

[edw_kym]

I think 925 is a sterling silver alloy. It's pretty, I would have guessed at apatite and synthetic spinel for the stones, it's impossible to tell from the photos though so I am just guessing.

Here's another image

 

[edw_kym]

The back of the piece reads 18Kt.at the very bottom of the larger portion.!! It appears to read 18Kt but the area that says that is corroded and could use cleaning.!!

 

[stracci2000]

It's a pretty necklace.
Yes, the chain is sterling silver, and is clearly marked. But the chain is not original to the pendant.
The pendant is costume jewelry with glass stones that are glued in. The pendant marking might say "18k GE" this means gold electroplate, not solid gold.
A solid 18k pendant would never have glued-in stones.
As you can see, there are little bumps but no functioning prongs. I'm afraid that these stones are glass, not spinels at all.
The chain was added by someone at a later date.

 

[edw_kym]

That's not entirely true until the gems get viewed by a gem expert.!!! Everybody wants to believe they found the real deal..But they're not always correct until the verification process complete.!!

 

[qubitasaurus]

If you wanted to check you could do a few things, one is to check the prongs. Looking closely I think stracci is likely right. They don't seem to be holding the stones in.

You can also check the stones for wear and tear, as glass abrades on the facet edges. And you can scratch the pendant in an unobtrusive place as this will likely let you see what's underneath. I would actually suggest you look at all of these before taking it to an expert as it may save you some time and money.

 

[edw_kym]

That's really good of you to help.!! But I plan to let a gemologist person study the piece.! Better insight if I pay for the information.!!

 

[edw_kym]

Furthermore I located another hallmark on the opposite side of 925 Italy .The emblem "$ Sign" inside letter U Or square.!! I will add a photo of that hallmark soon.!!

 

[edw_kym]

 

[dk168]

OP,

I personally would trust @stracci2000 for her expert opinion with regard to the construction of the pendant, as she is a silversmith in her own right, and know a thing or two about how jewellery are made.

By all means send the pendant for evaluation for a peace of mind; however, I would advise evaluating the cost benefit first to establish if it is really worth it.

Good luck.

DK

 

[edw_kym]

Does anybody have knowledge of the $ sign hallmark is it a year/date mark.? Thanks again for all your replies.!!

 

[Ionysis]

I would be extremely surprised if those are spinels. You can see immediately just from the photos.

 

[Bron357]

The $ sign could be a makersmark. The 925 is for Sterling silver.
Its only really English gold and silver pieces that use the “date system” with letters.
The pendant appears to have been added to the chain. As mentioned before given that the stones are set into a closed back it’s most likely they are glass.
If you visit a pawnbroker or jeweller with a Presidum gem tester, they can instantly tell you if the stones are indeed glass. If not glass then more investigation would be needed to correctly ID the stones.

 

[stracci2000]

OP,

I personally would trust @stracci2000 for her expert opinion with regard to the construction of the pendant, as she is a silversmith in her own right, and know a thing or two about how jewellery are made.

By all means send the pendant for evaluation for a peace of mind; however, I would advise evaluating the cost benefit first to establish if it is really worth it.

Good luck.

DK

Awww, thank you @dk168!

@edw_kym You've gotten good advice from us, but by all means, have it checked out if you feel strongly about it.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

It's a pretty necklace.
Yes, the chain is sterling silver, and is clearly marked. But the chain is not original to the pendant.
The pendant is costume jewelry with glass stones that are glued in. The pendant marking might say "18k GE" this means gold electroplate, not solid gold.
A solid 18k pendant would never have glued-in stones.
As you can see, there are little bumps but no functioning prongs. I'm afraid that these stones are glass, not spinels at all.
The chain was added by someone at a later date.

I feel so inadequate! I just fussed about prongs today in another matter and I didn't even notice this piece had no prongs!!!! *Hangs head in shame*

 

[fredflintstone]

Well, no one can say for sure if a stone is real or not from pictures. But I must be honest. The blues and green blues look very suspect to be synthetics. The greens have to be, Never seen a natural spinel as green as those. They're always a dark teal.

 

[edw_kym]

Synthetics..Thanks Fred...!!! We'll have to study synthetics..

 

[yssie]

OP,

I personally would trust @stracci2000 for her expert opinion with regard to the construction of the pendant, as she is a silversmith in her own right, and know a thing or two about how jewellery are made.

By all means send the pendant for evaluation for a peace of mind; however, I would advise evaluating the cost benefit first to establish if it is really worth it.

Good luck.

DK

This.