QuestionQUESTION: Hi David, I found a pair of small gold/colored earrings. They read, "825 RL." There is a small chance that the # is 325. Do you know what this means?
Thanks, Larry
ANSWER: G'day Larry and many thanks for your query.
Sometimes Hallmarks can be very hard to read. The 825 is wrong, but that leads us to other possible answers.
1: the stamp is 925 which is correct for Sterling Silver.
2: the stamp is 375 which is correct for 9 carat gold.
3: the stamp is simply a design or Maker's Mark.
You might have to take this to your local FRIENDLY jeweler and have them test it for you. There will be a small charge for this but at least then you'll know for sure.
Get it written down.
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...
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks again David, Of the possible answers, I would have to guess that the # is 925, yet the earrings are gold in "color". Is it possible that they are Sterling Silver-Gold Plated?
Thanks, Larry
AnswerG'day again Larry (you're very quick) ;-)
Yes. Many items which were gold plated had sterling underneath, but you are still going to have to have them tested to be sure.
The main problem with that is the test is an ACID test and usually jewelers have to file into, or scratch deep into a section of the metal before applying the acid.
Being earrings - that might not be possible.
See your local friendly jeweler, and many thanks once again for the follow up. You can also 'Ask The Appraiser' at my website at this address: http://www.online-jewelry-appraisals.com/
Kind regards. David
