QuestionHi there
I have recently bought a silver coloured snake bangle from a local antique fair. On closer examination, the only mark found is a capital S inside a diamond shape.This is found in each half of the hinged bangle. Will this help identify place/time of origin or is it a foreign hallmark or makers mark or does it indicate that it is actually silver/silverplate?
Your expert opinion would be of great help.
Many Thanks
Annabel
AnswerG'day Annabel and many thanks for your query.
The major problem for us 'So Called Experts' is that there is NO CENTRAL REGISTRY of hallmarks around the world where everyone complies. So we end up in the dark along with the rest of the world, trying to figure it all out.
However; with some experience and testing we can begin to make some assumptions - but that's all we can do.
In this case, Snake Hinged Bangles have been seen overseas for sale to tourists and yes - they really look antique. Because of this, they end up in Antique Fairs and the like.
The 'S' mark can be used to 'suggest' silver - but until you have the item tested you are not going to know for sure.
Your local FRIENDLY jewelry will charge you a small fee for this, but all that will tell you is if it is really silver or not. My guess would be silver plate as silver is so affordable right now, why would a manufacturing jeweler NOT stamp it correctly if it WAS made in silver?
But even then - it will not tell you if it is a real antique, which is 100 years old or more.
Try a magnet test first (silver is NOT magnetic) but remember that most Plated items can be made from Copper - which is also NOT magnetic, so it's not a perfect test.
But it's a start.
You might also like to add this query to my blog at http://how2valuejewelry.com/ as other may have had a similar problem. Can't hurt anyway and who knows what answers you may get.
Hope this helps...
