Identifying Antique Unmarked Bracelets: Real or Fake?
Question
bracelet
Hi. I have a bracelet that is around 60 or more years old. It was given to me 23 years ago by a patient of mine. At the time I figured it was fake, because it was so beautiful and it is completely unmarked (unstamped). But in retrospect, it came out of a locked box containing other "real" pieces. I have saved it all this time, to remember my friend. Now I have reconsidered it, as if this bracelet is real, it will help me realize a life goal. It is quite obviously made of silver but there are no markings on it at all, anywhere. What I need to know is how to determine if the "diamonds" are real. They are 1 or 1 1/2 carats each and there are 10 of them. The pass the "fog" test. The refracted light is varying shades of grey. They cut glass. There is a cutout in the metal behind each stone. The cutout cannot be to provide light as the bracelet sits against the skin and does not allow any light through. It has a safety clasp. Is it possible that it could be real, even with no markings and set in silver? I believe it to be silver because of slight tarnishing that gets very shiny when wiped. It is possible that it was custom made for this woman, as she was VERY rich. And she preferred silver, judging from her jewelry collection. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated as I am very poor and unable to pay for an appraisal. However if I can get enough evidence toward them being real, I will get an appraisal when I can. Thanks.
AnswerHi Jimmie,
Unfortunately your photo is no help since it is out of focus. But there is a chance that your stones could be natural stones if the backs are cut out. That is usually done to facilitate cleaning of natural stones. If you have a jewelers "loop" to look at the girdles of the stones, the outside diameters edges, then look to see if they have a granular or sugary look to them. Diamond has that look. If they are polished it doen't tell you anything. Unless it has a waxy look, then that would be indicative of a fake. I know you can't afford an appraisal but take it to a jeweler and tell them you were thinking about getting it appraised and did he think it was worth the trouble. That should get you an answer. Give it a try and let me know how it comes out. Thanks, Peter
