QuestionI have a large filigreed cameo that was my grandmothers. The story is, it is platinum. How do you tell?
AnswerDear Joan, unless you have experience with all three metals all will be guessing and could definitely be incorrect. First look in hidden places for a metal quality mark. Sterling will generally be stamped "sterling", white gold will generally have a karat mark and platinum will often say "platinum" or an abbreviation of the word. In more recent numerical markings, look for 925 for sterling, 417 for 10k, 583 or 585 for 14k and 750 for 18k. Platinum is numerically generally 950 or 900. These numbers represent the parts per 1000 of the metal which is the pure metal. For instance, 18k is 750, meaning 750/1000 pure gold or 75% gold in the mix.
With many old jewelry items, a marking will not be apparent. At this point you really need to have the cameo tested by a jeweler to know for certain. Call a jeweler first since all do not do metal testing.
Platinum will be substantially heavier in the hand than either gold or silver. Platinum will show NO tarnish. Silver unless stored very carefully or cleaned recently will show the typical tarnish as seen on sterling tableware. White gold would be very unusual in an old item. If it is white gold, look for a slight yellowish tinge to the metal.
You see, there are no quick and easy means to identify a metal. Sometimes, the best we can do is tell what it is NOT, rather than what it is.
Best wishes with obtaining an accurate metal id. God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
