Jewelry Gemstone Insiders Guide

Hand Crafted Ring Identification: One of our clients (rachael) wrote recently with this jewelry identification problem.

Hi - I have a gold ring which looks to be hand crafted. It has leaves on both sides and a cluster of seven diamonds that look like a flower.

Art Nouveau Jewelry

Price: $18.83 USD

It has no number markings as to what karat gold it is, only a hallmark which looks like a "s"that is a snake in a circle and possibly a cats head in a circle next to that.

Is there anything you could tell me about this hallmark? thanks. Rachael.

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You can read my answer below....

G'day Rachael and many thanks for your query

The ring sounds very unusual and this is why there may not be a 'Regular' Hallmark.

If it is (as you suggested) handmade - it could be a one-off item made by a jewelry 'Artisan' which would make their stamp of a snake or cat in a circle - their personal mark.

However - as there is NO central registry of Maker's Marks - it could be anyone - anywhere (you didn't say where you live or where you purchased the ring?).

The largest manufacturing base in the jewelry world right now is China and South East Asia, and they have some VERY FINE craftsmen working there and selling their wears all over the world.

But can you imagine that factory complying with American - European or British Hallmarking standards - I don't think so.

On the other hand - the item could have been made at a local Technical college or workshop. There is no way of ever finding our except by pure luck.

Thankfully you have added this query to my blog, so other may have had a similar problem. Can't hurt anyway and who knows what answers you may get.

Hope this helps...

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Tags: art nouveau jewelry, flower art, jewelry world, personal mark, south east asia