QuestionQUESTION: hello Thomas,
I recently purchased a gold bangle from a pawn shop and while it has no markings they assured me it is gold as per acid test. I took it to a different pawn shop and they tested it as gold. It looks 22 or 24k very shiny yellow diamond cuttings on solid bangle that slips over the wrist. Why would it not have a marking? Any educated guesses? Thank you so much! Rhonda
ANSWER: Rhonda, thanks for the bangle question.
As for markings, the USA law does not require a jewelry item to be marked with karat but if "it is marked", the maker must also put the maker mark with the karat mark. This is something like signing a check to verify it is yours. The law in this case allows recourse for jewelry marked a certain quality and not meeting those standards. All in all, the law works pretty well.
Generally, on bangle bracelets the mark in on the catch, the part next to the bracelet and the part which slips into the other end to close and latch the bracelet. It is possible the catch has been repaired and the mark was inadvertently removed in polishing the repair. This sort of thing happens fairly often when rings are resized smaller and the quality mark is in the worst place to be, at the center of the bottom of the ring where metal is removed to resize a ring down or metal is added to make it larger. Buffing the repair work will often remove the mark.
I would expect at least a quality mark showing karat or a makers mark showing whatever stamp the manufacturer uses as id. With neither present, there is a chance the testing with acid was not thorough enough. Old items can be made of what is called "rolled gold plate", a layer of gold done in a manner similar to gold filled which has a layer of gold over another metal like brass.
To truly test, a cut must be made in the bangle in an inconspicuous spot, deep enough to penetrate any surface layer and then acid applied directly to the bracelet. I am not suggesting the bracelet is not gold but another test is advised, of the more thorough sort.
The yellow color may be indication of yellowing from age or from high gold karat content or plating to add a richer color to a lower karat gold. Did those who did the acid test give any idea to you of what the karat might be? Did they offer to purchase the bangle?
Also, some items made in the Middle East and other countries will not have marks with which we are directly familiar. Most high karat items come from overseas and particularly from eastern countries, including India and further. This is to be considered.
Without having the bangle in these hands, I can honestly say no more.
Let me know if my answer helps a little. God Bless. Thomas.
March 3, 2008 9:56pm
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello Thomas,
Yes, your answer was very informative. The person who did the acid test said he cut a pretty good cut in the gold and did lay acid directly on the bracelet. From what i have learned from you, I believe this bracelet is either very heavily plated, or from overseas. It is a slip over the hand heavy type, and it was sold to me from a pawn dealer as 18k but only by their acid test. No high tech. testing. Honestly, I paid $200.00 for this bangle and I do love it, so perhaps since two dealers who tested it say it is gold, I will just believe this and be happy. God's blessing to you as well! Rhonda
AnswerRhonda, thanks for the fine comment. This encourages me to keep it up here. I have to answer to clear the board of unanswered questions since the allexpeerts machine does not know the difference in a comment and a question. : )
Best wishes and yes, God's Blessing. Thomas.
