QuestionHi Thomas!
I bumped into this site, trying to find out what kind of markings i have on a necklace i received as a present. Im from Finland and half of my family lives in the states, so while i was there three summers ago i got this necklace that has a 1.5cm x 1.5cm heart. I could describe the color to be half gold half silver, not totally either or. Half of the heart is filled with eight small clear stones and that much i found out from the inside markings that they are cubic zirconia, since the markings on the inside have clearly CZ. But i would like to know something about the metal. I cant tell you exactly what the other markings are, but there are three all together, one is CZ, the middle one i think is the makers mark, but the first one has three letter or numbers and it could be any on of the following.. if any: 33Y, 5JY, 3JI, 3TI, JJY. Or a combination of any of those. The heart is certainly not new, it has some dark spots and i can see some cuts in it, showing that it has most likely been used before. The heart is on a necklace that looks silver and it also has markings that are clear on a tiny plack: JJT or JJJ, 925 italy. Also the lock itself has a clear 925 marking in it. Can the markings on the necklace tell something about the heart too? Thank you already for any help! I have been wondering about this necklace for a long time, and i didn't know this kind of help was available!
Sincerely, Katri
AnswerDear Katri,
Unfortunately personal issues have taken time here and I did not get back to you today. I write now to let you know I will answer as best I can very shortly but not today. We cannot control some circumstances and I am sorry for any delay. I will be back.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
Dear Katri, I am back and do hope this answer will be of benefit. Obviously I cannot provide a definitive answer with out the actual pendant in my hands. I will do what I can with the information provided.
An important is the similarity of the possible makers mark on both the pendant and the chain. The 925 is a clear definition of sterling silver, in this case with Italy as the country of origin. Much jewelry manufactured in Italy is sold in the United States, even with a great influx of items from the far east pushing into a large share of the jewelry market today. in years past, Italy was one of the first countries to readily show pride in country of origin and that explains both older and newer jewelry with the Italy stamp.
With the JJT or JJJ on the chain, is this close to the stamp on the heart? Can you say the mark is the same on both chain and pendant? If so, I am compelled to think the heart is the same metal as the chain, sterling silver. It is quite possible a portion is gold plated, providing the two color effect.
The other letters identification marks are not clear to me and I cannot comment on those with any accuracy.
Are the dark spots on the heart on the silver portion, on the gold or on both? A solid gold metal section would not show spotting from tarnish or blemishes other than wear and tear. The gold color would still be gold, even if dulled or a slightly yellowish tent of unpolished gold.
Spots on the gold sections speak out as electroplated with gold over another metal, likely silver in this case. However, if any spotting or tarnish is a greenish color, neither metal is gold or silver. Base metals such as brass which are often plated with white or yellow will show greenish discoloration over time and exposure. Silver does not create a greenish tarnish but a slight yellowish to quite dark blackish color.
Katri, what I have typed is as far as I can go in speculative identification. There is always a test being done by a jewelere to identify the metal, if you want that.
Thanks very much. God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
