QuestionI found a braclet years ago that looks gold, and has a double safety clasp on it. On one side of the clasp it is marked 18k 74020, on the other side of the clasp it has it is marked Italy. Is it possible that this braclet is real with the Italy marking? I put the braclet in a cup of bleach to see if it would turn color but it didn't. The braclet is heavy also, it's not a bangle, more of a flat snake look braclet. Please reply.
Thank you,
Toni
AnswerToni, first of all from the markings I have no reason to believe the bracelet is other than marked. The 18k and Italy tell the story overall. The only way to know for certain is to have a jeweler check the metal (call first to be sure of which jewelers do this service) and verify the gold content. Other than that, from the stampings you have told me I say it is as marked and is 18k gold.
Now, a very important consideration: I know why you put the bracelet in bleach. Honestly this is not a good test and will not truly give you and answer. More importantly, CHLORINE IS LIKELY TO CAUSE MORE DAMAGE TO JEWELRY THAN ANY OTHER CHEMICAL ENCOUNTERED IN DAILY LIFE.
Ok, I put it in caps and that is to make a point. Jewelry and especially white gold should not go into pools or hot tubs with chlorine and certainly should not be exposed to bleach as used in cleaning and laundry. The chlorine can lead to breaks and invisible cracks in the metal plus corrosion of solder joints. Whew..
Toni, likely a short contact with the bleach did little harm and 18k is resistant to chlorine damage, more resistant than lower karats.
Sounds to me like you have an 18k Italian bracelet. Feel free to get back with me if you need to do that.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
