Question
markings
Hello, I inherited this ring after my grandmother passed many years ago. I assume it is just a piece of costume jewelry but I'd like to know what the markings mean. Inside it says Mexico. I believe the first number is a 9 but it's hard to read so I may be wrong but it has 925 ARO and a creepy face stamped into it. Any ideas? Thanks!
AnswerHi, Samantha. I appreciate the photo and I can see the marks you described.
I can tell you immediately the ring is sterling silver. The mark 925 is a numerical mark for sterling which is legally 92.5% pure silver mixed with other metal to make it strong enough for jewelry. (The other metal is usually copper.)
I would believe the ARO is the makers initial marks and that face symbol is also representative of the maker. What is interesting about ARO is this is also a Spanish word, translated as: ring; hoop; earring; arum, wild flowering plant; quoit, ring used in the game of quoits (type of ring-toss game), according to Babylon on-line translation. I cannot identify the gemstone from a photo, sorry.
Much silver jewelry comes from Mexico, of all qualities and styles. Some of the individual creative designers producing silver jewelry in Mexico are very talented.
Enjoy your sterling ring! God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
