Antique Gold Bangle Bracelet with Art Deco Floral Engraving - George & Alice, 1912

Question
What can you tell me about a gold bangle bracelet, etched on the front with 3 (art deco?) flowers evenly spaced with some stylized bars behind each flower. The piece is hinged; opens by pressing tiny metal piece sticking up; single thin curved band of metal is the "stopper" (you can only open the piece so far). This was my grandmother's bracelet. It is engraved inside "George to Alice". Also engraved inside on the side behind the etched flowers is "chi 1912". Thru the 9 in 1912 there appears to be a curved double-headed arrow. On the engraved "George to Alice" side there is a very small heart to the right of Alice that has a small arrow on each side of the heart pointing toward the heart. Thank you for any information you can offer!

Answer
Hello Mary and thank you for your inquiry. These bracelets were popular around the turn of the century through about the 1930's and remain popular today. Most of them were gold filled or rolled gold and some were even made in karat gold. Very few companies marked their bracelets and verifying the marks is difficult unless the company name is used in the logo.  These bracelets were usually delicately engraved with flowers and scrolls and some left room for a monogram or sentiment making them perfect gifts. The "chi 1912" is probably the manufacture date - chi maybe indicating "Chicago". The curved arrow could be a part of the logo but I was unable to find anything similar. There is a book that pictures some of these bracelets "200 Years of American Manufactured Jewelry & Accessories" by Suzanne Marshall. You may be able to find it in your local library or book store.  You are lucky to have this heirloom - wear and enjoy it !

Sally
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