Question
Brooch
I am sorting thru jewelry from my mother and she had several pieces I think belonged to my grandmother, born in 1887 in Scotland. Are the British marks different than typical American ones? (10K, 14K, etc.) The marks I'm seeing are 16 CT and 9 CT for example. I am including a photo of one brooch that can be worn as a pendant or a brooch (pin back.) It is marked 16 CT. Also, any way of knowing if the tiny pearls are real? And how about the stone? Thanks for any help you can provide!
AnswerJane, thanks for this very neat question. Of course, without the items in hand I cannot say much about the jewelry. I will say, from the picture of the brooch, the item looks genuine and the pearls appear to be partially half pearls and perhaps some round ones. Generally, these are called oriental pearls, pearls fished from wild oysters in the sea and not cultured in pearl farms. The stone is the color and look of Peridot (pare-i-doh). Still, for positive identification, you will need to take the brooch to a reputable jeweler who has credentials for knowing these things. Look in the least for a GIA Gemologist. Beyond that are specialists who hold certifications in appraisal and may provide more info than the gemologist. The gemologist should be able to tell you what the metal is and if the stone and pearls are genuine. All looks genuine to me but that is only an opinion from the fine picture you thoughtfully attached.
Hallmarks in the UK are quite different than in the USA. The tradition of hallmarking in the UK is quite old, going back a few hundred years. Some parts of a hallmark will vary depending on where the item was made, in Scotland or Ireland for instance.
The following websites will provide some information. These are copy and paste links:
http://www.chicagosilver.com/marks_master_list.htm
On the above site, scroll down to British and click.
Here is another site showing the basic marking system in the UK:
http://www.thomas-skipton.co.uk/Hallmarks.htm
9kt gold is an accepted standard in the UK but is not accepted at karat gold in the USA. I am not certain about the 16kt items.
Jane, I believe a visit to a gemologist jeweler is in order at this point. Where I can generally dismiss many items as costume, the image of the brooch makes me think differently and believe you may need the items evaluated professionally.
Best wishes in the discovery of what your mother provided through her mother. This should prove to be interesting indeed and a taste of family history.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas. June 30, 2008 9:10pm
