QuestionQUESTION: Hi, i have a single stone set gold ring, which was my grandmothers (stone approx.10mm diameter). Possibly princess cut but was valued for insurance purposes 25 years ago as a Blue topaz ring, but marked in the ring is SYN/ST. Does this mean synthetic stone therefore not Blue topaz or any other gemstone? A local jeweller had a quick look at the stone before i noticed the mark and said the type of light blue colour could mean it was a different stone altogether (beginging with T i think). The 9ct yellow gold ring also has an R and a M furthur on.
Thanks , Lou x
ANSWER: Hi Louise,
I must say I am a bit puzzled by your ring. Let me tell you what I do know and then we can work on the puzzling bits.
Natural Topaz can come in light blue. It is rare, and I have seen it more often in antique pieces than in modern jewelry. The 3 shades of blue on the market today are irradiated and/or heat treated. The lightest version of this treated Topaz is known as Sky Blue and is a pale blue similar to heated aquamarine.
I will tell you that no one can positively identify a stone just by looking at it. A few simple tests can tell you what the stone is beyond a shadow of a doubt.
If the ring is old and the stone is topaz, it is more than likely a natural stone as the irradiation process is quite new. There is not a synthetic topaz, however, there are simulants. A synthetic is a lab grown exact copy of the real thing, whereas a simulant can be anything made to copy the original, including glass or plastic.
Now the bit that puzzles me: SYN/ST. I have not seen, nor heard of this and I can't find any makers marks like that. It does lead one to think synthetic stone, but that doesn't make sense as there is not a synthetic for topaz, I have never seen anything like that stamped in a setting and you have an appraisal. The RM are likely makers marks.
As I can't solve this one, I will give you some links to sites with hallmark and makers mark information. Have a look and see if you can find it.
http://www.925-1000.com/foreign_marks.html
http://www.morninggloryantiques.com/JewelChatMarks.html
http://www.modernsilver.com/basichallmarks.htm
http://www.silvercollection.it/bisrussiansilverhallmarks.html
Do let me know what you find out,
Lisa
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Hallmarks
QUESTION: Sorry to be a pain but this ring hasn't got an M on. I have a number of rings i am attempting to identify! Also my father has just informed me the insurance document hasn't got this ring on! So, i am guessing it is a synthetic stone, 9ct gold, made in Birmingham, England in 1991. Still have no luck with the maker W&G. However i am going to get this ring dipped to make it white gold as i don't wear gold and i like the stone, i hope this isn't a bad idea!? Thanks for your help, Here are some photos.
Louise
AnswerHi Louise,
Sorry for the delay in my response, we have been dealing with the flu here.
I would have to test the stone to verify if it is natural or not. This is something a gemologist in your area can do. If you are looking to sort out a number of pieces of jewelry, you might consider finding a gemologist appraiser.
There is a listing of trained professionals here:
http://www.jewelryadjuster.com/
Like I said, there is no synthetic available for Topaz. The only other option is a misuse of the word synthetic for a simulant.
I did find some information regarding your makers mark of "W&G" in Birmingham:
Williams, Grenfell & Co 1820's Birmingham
and a little information about them here:
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/GLA/Swansea/pigot.1822.html
As far as "dipping" a ring in white gold, gold is yellow by nature. White gold is created by using an different alloy to get it mostly white. Almost all white gold is plated in Rhodium to create the bright white you would see in silver or platinum. You could have it plated with Rhodium, but this can be expensive and it will wear off over time as all plating will.
You are best leaving it as it is, or if the stone is natural, having the stone set in a new white gold setting.
Lisa
