14K B
Question: Hi ,David:
A lady asked another expert a question about what 14K B was. But I think they were not available at this time, so I seek help from you.
I also have the same experience like that lady.
My father in law gave me this silver like necklace which was clearly marked 14K B and not 14k P.
I thought it was 14K brass or something. Could you please tell me what exactly metal it is?
Answer:
G'day and many thanks for your query
Not much to go on for maker's marks but I suspect the item is simply marked with a 'B' for 'Base Metal'
Naturally I can't see, feel, weigh, test ot touch the item, but I have come across this myself over the past 35 years in the business.
It may be 14 Karat gold plated over a Base metal. Try a child's magnet and see if it jumps onto the magnet.
This test is NOT absolute of course, because it could be copper underneath - which is also NON MAGNETIC. But if it does react - it certainly isn't gold.
There are some great gold testing methods explained at the Antique 20th Century Jewelry site or you might like to try the Jewelry Hints Tips and Reviews Blog for poible answers. They are a fairly new site but seem to be getting a bit of a reputation on the web.
Hope this helps.
Tags: 20th century jewelry, karat gold, many thanks, s marks, web hope
In my usual capacity of answering questions, here is one worthy of note, not because of any major conclusion but because of the suggestion right at the end...
QUESTION..?
I have one gold cuff link which belonged to my late father. He would have been given it around 1950-1953. The markings on the back are as follows:- The first marking looks like a bird or a bell (not sure) followed by 9 375 (which I believe means 9 ct. then followed by "E". It also has the name PROUD (Probably the name of the Jewellery store).
Are you able to shed any light on the markings and possible year it was made. Many thanks
ANSWER..!
I don't know where you live or where your Father lived when he received the cufflinks in the first place, but the marks are certainly British (or colonies)...
You are correct in the 9 375 means 9ct (the 375 is the decimal code for 9ct gold).
The nearest date letter would have been 1954 for the date 'E' but the assay office would be an 'Anchor' mark for Birmingham.
PROUD is the name of an Australian Jewellery Store, but again I don't know if there is any connection. The Bell or Bird is a puzzle...
Hope this helps, and might I suggest you get your local Jeweler to convert it to a very attractive Pendant.
You can get a FREE Hallmarking Course at 20th Century Jewelry Antiques
Tags: 20th century jewelry, assay office, australian jewellery, gold cuff link, jewellery store
A client wrote to ask me the following on an Aquamarine Pendant which I thought was a common enough problem.
She was given a pendant: aquamarine in 18 K gold frame with "TINA" engraved on the back. Front of the aquamarine is uncut.
She is trying to find the designer's full name and other work.
ANSWER..!
The name 'TINA' doesn't mean anything to me but you didn't say whether it was STAMPED Tina or ENGRAVED as Tina?
If it was engraved it may simply be the name of the person who was given the pendant as a gift. To 'TINA' with love etc...
If it was stamped - there doesn't appear to be any Manufacture or Makers Mark to link it to...
Finally, it may also have been the work of a Jewelers' Apprentice, (yes they have girls too) who made the item and marked it with her own name. Craft schools also teach jewelry making around the world, so it may have come from that also.
Personally - if it were engraved and not stamped, I would go with the first option. It was the name of the person to who the item was first given.
For more on Hallmarks in General go to 20th Century Jewelry Antiques and sign up for their FREE course on hallmarking. Well worth the effort...
Tags: 20th century jewelry, aquamarine, craft schools, gold frame, jewelry markings