QuestionI have a gold bangle bracelet, inside is a inscription " L W F to J W Apr, 8 '09" It has a stamping on it D & C. I can't find any other markings. What does the D & C represent?
AnswerMarcia, while am expert in jewelry design, custom work and repair, I am not an expert in identification of the literally thousands of manufacturer marks. I will give you help in doing exactly what I would have to do run down a manufacturer's mark.
As for the D & C, there is little doubt that this is the maker's mark. If this is a hinged bangle, sometimes a stamp is on the tongue end of the clasp but I suspect you have looked there already. When the particular mark is not known already, the next step is to prowl through listings of makers marks and names. For instsnce, if you found a D & C stamp listed, the next step is to see if they made bangles in the Victorian time period, about 1835 through early 1900.
The Victorian was chosen because of this:
http://www.rubylane.com/item/61838-617897x2002213/Rose-Gold-Plated-Hinged-Bangle Although the item is already sold, it was said to be Victorian and the mark was D & C. It is a starting place. Also, compare style and design with bangles from a particular period of time.
The websites below have a lot or information on maker's marks. I recommend you take a look.
http://www.morninggloryantiques.com/JewelChatHinged.html
http://www.langantiques.com/university/index.php/American_Jewelry_Maker%27s_Mark
Check online sellers and auctions like eBay, too.
Marcia, most experts on this ALLEXPERTS site will not try to identify maker's with whom they are not already familiar. Honestly, it is not worth the time put in, not to the expert or to the questioner. I look at this sort of search like chasing a rabbit down its trail in the forest. The rabbit ie quite familiar with the patt; we are not. A turn is rounded and the rabbit is gone, vanished into the brambles or into the woods. So we turn and go, knowing finding that elusive rabbit will be a fruitless search. I hope you are fortunate and come across a mark or maker who would reasonably use those letters to abbreviate the company name.
Sorry, this is the best I can do. Gof Bless and Peace. Thomas.
