QuestionI was given my grandmothers engagement ring when she died when I was 13 (I'm now 28). It is gold with the following markings on the inside 18ct, a number 1 symbol and a thin triangle symbol. I was told that the stone is a diamond. I believe it is about 70 years old. Please could you tell me what these symbols mean as it has been intriguing me for years!
AnswerG'day Marianne and many thanks for your query.
The 18ct part is the easiest as it simply shows the item is 18 carat gold, but the other marks are not standard hallmarks per say, but simply a maker's identification mark.
The problem is that there is NO standard Hallmarking registry on world marks (I don't know where you live?) but as you can imagine, there is no reason for a manufacturer in Britain or Europe to comply with American marks - or vice versa. This only gets worse as China and Asia are now the largest manufacturing base in the world.
There is a complimentary hallmarking course available here:
http://www.online-jewelry-appraisals.com/free-hallmark-course/
but it covers only British hallmarking.
You might also like to add this query to my blog at http://online-jewelry-appraisals.com/ as other may have had a similar problem. Can't hurt anyway and who knows what answers you may get.
Hope this helps...
