Question Heart pin
QUESTION: I have a pin, that was my grandmother's, that I know is at least pre-1969. Was too young before that to remember. I was told by my father that it is platinum. The only markings on it is the number 962 stamped in two places. I can not find this number connected to any white metal. Definitely not silver. The piece has 35 2mm diamonds in it, so I would assume it is quality metal ( but you know where assuming gets us). It is very shiny and never tarnishes. Any idea if this would be a number for platinum?
ANSWER: Elizabeth, thanks for this question and especially for the nice photo. Jewelry is difficult at best to describe and a photo is very helpful. From the photo I would think there is some tarnish on the pin but having taken many photos of jewelry, I know any sort of reflection will give that effect and reflections can look dark. Shiny metal is very difficult to photograph and you have done a fine job. That effort is appreciated. : )
I hope you can appreciate my simple answer as much as I appreciate the photo. You see, the numerals 962 have no relationship to the metal platinum. If I am wrong I may be corrected but from my years of experience, this number is not one to come up related to platinum. Platinum has been made in differing qualities, meaning different content of pure platinum in the metal. 962 would be quite high, higher than the accepted standards today which are 950 for 95% platinum in the alloy and 900 which is 90% platinum in the alloy.
The very best and only way to know for sure what is the metal of your grandmother's pin is to have the metal tested. Call around to save wasted drive. Call jewelers and ask if they test metal and if they can test for platinum. Also, consider that those in the business of purchasing scrap metal are set up to test metals. Your intent is not to sell but to know the metal. Ask if the test is non-destructive. Price should be low for the metal test and that will give you the answer you desire.
If the pin is not platinum, you still have a fine family piece. If it is platinum, so much the better. Platinum will normally feel quite heavy compared to similar jewelry, simply feeling at first a bit more weighty than expected.
I wish I could tell you more but the mark does not appear related to the metal quality or content.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
Heart pin
QUESTION: Thought I would send a photo of the front for you. This is a hard piece to get a good photo of.
Answer
Heart Pin
QUESTION: I have a pin, that was my grandmother's, that I know is at least pre-1969. Was too young before that to remember. I was told by my father that it is platinum. The only markings on it is the number 962 stamped in two places. I can not find this number connected to any white metal. Definitely not silver. The piece has 35 2mm diamonds in it, so I would assume it is quality metal ( but you know where assuming gets us). It is very shiny and never tarnishes. Any idea if this would be a number for platinum?
Image: Heart-pin
FIRST ANSWER: Elizabeth, thanks for this question and especially for the nice photo. Jewelry is difficult at best to describe and a photo is very helpful. From the photo I would think there is some tarnish on the pin but having taken many photos of jewelry, I know any sort of reflection will give that effect and reflections can look dark. Shiny metal is very difficult to photograph and you have done a fine job. That effort is appreciated. : )
I hope you can appreciate my simple answer as much as I appreciate the photo. You see, the numerals 962 have no relationship to the metal platinum. If I am wrong I may be corrected but from my years of experience, this number is not one to come up related to platinum. Platinum has been made in differing qualities, meaning different content of pure platinum in the metal. 962 would be quite high, higher than the accepted standards today which are 950 for 95% platinum in the alloy and 900 which is 90% platinum in the alloy.
The very best and only way to know for sure what is the metal of your grandmother's pin is to have the metal tested. Call around to save wasted drive. Call jewelers and ask if they test metal and if they can test for platinum. Also, consider that those in the business of purchasing scrap metal are set up to test metals. Your intent is not to sell but to know the metal. Ask if the test is non-destructive. Price should be low for the metal test and that will give you the answer you desire.
If the pin is not platinum, you still have a fine family piece. If it is platinum, so much the better. Platinum will normally feel quite heavy compared to similar jewelry, simply feeling at first a bit more weighty than expected.
I wish I could tell you more but the mark does not appear related to the metal quality or content.
REPLY TO FOLLOW-UP
Elizabeth, I received your follow-up late and just now got home tonight. I did have a chance to take a close look at the wonderful photo of the front of the pin. Your macro is detailed well and does tell me something of the style of workmanship on the pin. Of course, I could be mistaken by appearances but believe this is precious metal and that could certainly be platinum. Again, a metal test will be needed to know for certain.
I copied your photo and since on my monitor it looked sort of yellowish took it to an imaging program and pulled it back close to white. The workmanship on the pin appears like hand work, judging from the stone setting on the arrow certainly. The milgrain (little beads) on the arrow shaft are characteristic of older hand work and the effect is often seen in modern rings but often cast in the metal, added to give a bit more character to the new rings.
Workmanship as best can be judged by the photo is good and would be compatible with platinum. Often the bead style prongs are smaller with platinum items but I cannot tell for certain how large the pin actually is. I believe the pin to be a quite nice piece of jewelry.
Thanks again for the follow up.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
