QuestionHi Thomas,
Re my previous question about a brooch I inherited from my mother: does the slightly curved mark AMERICAN with a little rectangular mark after the last letter say anything about the metal quality of this gold brooch? The brooch feels a bit light.
Thank you.
AnswerAnne-Marie, thanks for getting back. The standard marks for precious metals in the USA are either karat stamps, such as 10k, 14k and 18k or the numerical equivalent of those. 10k is 417. 14k is 585 (sometimes rarely 583) and 18k is 750. Sterling is marked with an abbreviation for sterling or with the entire word, or the numbers 925. Platinum is marked with a PT and sometimes followed with numbers telling the quality of the platinum.
Gold filled would have a mark similar to this, as often seen on gold eyeglass frames: 1/20 12k GF. The percent and k will change depending on how much of a layer of gold is there and if of another karat.
I wish I could tell you "American" means precious metal but it does not. You might look very closely all around the brooch for perhaps a tiny metal quality mark. If not there, you can likely assume this is costume jewelry.
Keep in mind that older costume jewelry is often collectible when in fine condition.
I am glad you got back.
Again, God Bless and Peace. Thomas. November 26, 2007 6:40pm
