Teeny, tiny maker’s mark

[oldcutclubmember]

These marks are SO tiny. I can’t even figure out if they are letters, numbers, animals, etc to even start googling!

Anyone with eagle eyes able to tell??

 

[stracci2000]

The mark to the left looks like an owl on a perch with 75 in the middle.....so it looks like the assay mark for Paris, France

The second mark looks like a bearded man with letters in the beard.
Your photos are upside down, but that's what I'm seeing.

181. Mascaron hallmark of the head of a bearded man - Osprey Paris

Mascaron hallmark of the head of a bearded man, seen from the front, surrounded by a border. For articles in platinum imported from contracting countries.

www.osprey.fr

explanation on the owl by adin antique vintage and estate jewelry

explanation on the owl by adin antique vintage and estate jewelry

www.antiquejewel.com

 

[oldcutclubmember]

The mark to the left looks like an owl on a perch with 75 in the middle.....so it looks like the assay mark for Paris, France

The second maker's mark looks like a bearded man.
Your photos are upside down, but that's what I'm seeing.

explanation on the owl by adin antique vintage and estate jewelry

explanation on the owl by adin antique vintage and estate jewelry

www.antiquejewel.com

Thank you so much!!

I TOTALLY see the owl now!! Didn’t realize it was stamped sideways!!

I will start googling more now!

 

[stracci2000]

Thank you so much!!

I TOTALLY see the owl now!! Didn’t realize it was stamped sideways!!

I will start googling more now!

I just added more info about the bearded man, above

 

[stracci2000]

@oldcutclubmember
Can we see the whole piece? I'm curious now!

 

[oldcutclubmember]

@oldcutclubmember
Can we see the whole piece? I'm curious now!

I JUST got it in the mail last night after work so I need to take some more pics of it in daylight today. I was originally thinking to keep it in the current setting for a bit and possibly reset the stones but now I am NOT going to touch this unless it falls apart and I have to reset it!!

The listing had no mention of any maker’s marks or assay marks (probably because they are so hard to see). I had to use a 40x loupe plus the magnifying feature on my iphone to get those pics above!

It’s a 5 stone with platinum prongs, 18k shank… estimated to be 3.24 ctw g-i and vs1-si1 stones.

These were taken with 15x macro lens.


Hand shots.

 

[stracci2000]

Oh, it's beautiful! And French , and old!
I'm so happy you're not going to scrap the setting! Those old marks inside are fantastic.
The bearded man is there because of the platinum.....so cool!

 

[oldcutclubmember]

Oh, it's beautiful! And French , and old!
I'm so happy you're not going to scrap the setting! Those old marks inside are fantastic.

Yes! Thank you!! The marks are OUTSIDE on the bottom of the band so very lucky that they haven’t worn off from wear over the years!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

I JUST got it in the mail last night after work so I need to take some more pics of it in daylight today. I was originally thinking to keep it in the current setting for a bit and possibly reset the stones but now I am NOT going to touch this unless it falls apart and I have to reset it!!

The listing had no mention of any maker’s marks or assay marks (probably because they are so hard to see). I had to use a 40x loupe plus the magnifying feature on my iphone to get those pics above!

It’s a 5 stone with platinum prongs, 18k shank… estimated to be 3.24 ctw g-i and vs1-si1 stones.

These were taken with 15x macro lens.


Hand shots.

I love it. That is a ridiculously perfect mahonking example. I would wear that everyday.

 

[oldcutclubmember]

I love it. That is a ridiculously perfect mahonking example. I would wear that everyday.

Thank you Here it is with Cordelia, my OMC 3 stone. I just ADORE them together!! I’ll be wearing this combo often for a blingy stack lol

 

[lala646]

I JUST got it in the mail last night after work so I need to take some more pics of it in daylight today. I was originally thinking to keep it in the current setting for a bit and possibly reset the stones but now I am NOT going to touch this unless it falls apart and I have to reset it!!

The listing had no mention of any maker’s marks or assay marks (probably because they are so hard to see). I had to use a 40x loupe plus the magnifying feature on my iphone to get those pics above!

It’s a 5 stone with platinum prongs, 18k shank… estimated to be 3.24 ctw g-i and vs1-si1 stones.

These were taken with 15x macro lens.


Hand shots.

Well hot DANG!

 

[oldcutclubmember]

Well hot DANG!

Thank you! Lol

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Wow, that band is gorgeous, love the faceting on the stones and it’s French. Doesn’t get much better than that, great find!

 

[oldcutclubmember]

Wow, that band is gorgeous, love the faceting on the stones and it’s French. Doesn’t get much better than that, great find!

Thank you! It also fits in really well with the rest of my collection and plays well with them lol I’m having a lot of fun trying out different combinations and stacks!

 

[VRBeauty]

The mark to the left looks like an owl on a perch with 75 in the middle.....so it looks like the assay mark for Paris, France

The second mark looks like a bearded man with letters in the beard.
Your photos are upside down, but that's what I'm seeing.

181. Mascaron hallmark of the head of a bearded man - Osprey Paris

Mascaron hallmark of the head of a bearded man, seen from the front, surrounded by a border. For articles in platinum imported from contracting countries.

www.osprey.fr

explanation on the owl by adin antique vintage and estate jewelry

explanation on the owl by adin antique vintage and estate jewelry

www.antiquejewel.com

I am seriously impressed, @stracci2000!

 

[stracci2000]

I am seriously impressed, @stracci2000!

Thanks! I suddenly saw the owl, and then the bearded man! Then all the pertinent info was easy to look up!

 

[Mreader]

Astonishingly gorgeous and love that the mark is an owl - so cute!

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

What a find! You have a great eye. That is a marvel of cut and setting! Love that French oomph!

 

[Rfisher]

Thank you! It also fits in really well with the rest of my collection and plays well with them lol I’m having a lot of fun trying out different combinations and stacks!

Beautiful and stunning find!
You have one absolutely gorgeous (and uncompromising) collection.

 

[oldcutclubmember]

Astonishingly gorgeous and love that the mark is an owl - so cute!

Thank you! I love the little owl too and my kids love owls… there are 2 owl ornaments on our Christmas tree right now lol

 

[oldcutclubmember]

What a find! You have a great eye. That is a marvel of cut and setting! Love that French oomph!

Thank you! A higher ctw 5 stone band had been on my someday wishlist and ones in this color range tend to be harder to find so I had to jump on it!

 

[oldcutclubmember]

Beautiful and stunning find!
You have one absolutely gorgeous (and uncompromising) collection.

Wow, what a compliment especially coming from you!! I gawk and drool over your collection all the time!

 

[lulu_ma]

Thank you Here it is with Cordelia, my OMC 3 stone. I just ADORE them together!! I’ll be wearing this combo often for a blingy stack lol

So much bling goodness right there!

 

[oldcutclubmember]

So much bling goodness right there!

Thank you! I love the two of them together!

 

[Lookinagain]

I am seriously impressed, @stracci2000!

Me too! I thought the bearded man was a poodle!

And gorgeous ring @oldcutclubmember. Definitely a special piece.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Wow indeed! Your collection is stunning. I wonder if you happen to know the approximate millimeter diameter of the diamonds? Just trying to visualize the size better!

 

[RRfromR]

Unbelievably beautiful! Tell us more about it. What is the cut? Period? Leave it to the French (and imperial Russians) for exquisite jewelry.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Unbelievably beautiful! Tell us more about it. What is the cut? Period? Leave it to the French (and imperial Russians) for exquisite jewelry.

I have the same questions! The diamonds look like OMCs bordering on OECs. Still a little cushiony with higher crowns, especially the center stone, but the others are definitely more rounded and precise than in the earliest versions of cushions. They didn't figure out how to make diamonds nice and round until 1860 to 1900 according to my handy dandy copy of American Cut. So I'd guess the center stone is from earlier in that period and the others from later. I'd guess turn of the century for the whole ring then!

 

[oldcutclubmember]

Wow indeed! Your collection is stunning. I wonder if you happen to know the approximate millimeter diameter of the diamonds? Just trying to visualize the size better!

Unbelievably beautiful! Tell us more about it. What is the cut? Period? Leave it to the French (and imperial Russians) for exquisite jewelry.

I have the same questions! The diamonds look like OMCs bordering on OECs. Still a little cushiony with higher crowns, especially the center stone, but the others are definitely more rounded and precise than in the earliest versions of cushions. They didn't figure out how to make diamonds nice and round until 1860 to 1900 according to my handy dandy copy of American Cut. So I'd guess the center stone is from earlier in that period and the others from later. I'd guess turn of the century for the whole ring then!

Yes, you are right @Dreamer_D, the center, out of the five leans the most towards OMC. I think it can be described as either a cushiony OEC or an OMC bordering on OEC.


The other 4 stones are definitely more round and I would guess that 3 of them are early OECs with bigger culets and high crowns.


There is 1 stone that’s next to the center that leans more transitional or latter OEC. It has a tiny culet and the lowest crown out of the 5 stones. I think this one could possibly be a later replacement?

I was told that the center stone is 6.3x6x4.05 and estimated to be .97ct.
The next 2 biggest stones are estimated to be .75ct each and the smallest are estimated to be .4 each. I think these are pretty good estimates. Now that I have my pinky ring (that I know are .77 and .79 and each at 5.7mm), I am able to compare. The 2 stones next to the center do look every slightly smaller than the OECs in my pinky ring (with the transitional one being spreadier than the other one).

 

[Dreamer_D]

Those are great pictures to show the faceting! Old cuts are so endlessly fascinating. I bet you are right that the later OEC is a layer replacement because all the others seem much more cushiony now that I see the close ups. The setting makes them look a little rounder.

It really is a spectacular piece though with great presence. I understand your hesitation about a reset you mentioned in another thread . But I think I’d lean towards going for it in this case (not that you asked! lol). Some mountings are real works of art and unique and the fabrication methods are basically lost or unattainable for most of us. But this style is so classic and there are artisans today doing it just as well as the old makers. And the setting you put the stones in could hold them for the next 100 years.

Anyway, it’s a lovely piece.