QuestionHello, I have purchased an estate piece, an engraved 1 inch round gold locket with an intricate design on the front with inset tiny jet stones. On the back is an engraved letter initial. My question concerns the marks on the inside of the locket. When opened, the left side shows an engraved figural bee (insect) with the letters RBM over the top, and underneath ATRICE 1874. The edge of the opposite side is marked as PAT. FEB. 10-03. If you have any information concerning the bee and the other marks, I would be very grateful as I have not been able to find any reference to them. Thank you so much.
AnswerG'day Star and many thanks for your query
I cannot find anything about these marks either so my best guess is all I can provide.
The Bee and RBM are the Maker's Marks or Store Name but as there is NO World registry of Maker's marks it means that basically anyone - anywhere - can make and stamp their jewelry with whatever mark they want.
You didn't mention where you live or where the locket may have come from. As you can imagine - a Maker in say 'Sweden' (this is just an example you understand) would not have his marks registered in the USA.
The other marks - ATRICE 1874 suggest the date but it has been my experience in over 35 years of valuing jewelry - NOT to take that as gospel. We can't PROVE it anyway.
The last marks may be the previous owner (PAT) who received this item (not as a new item) on their Birthday or Anniversary on Feb 10th 2003. Notice I didn't suggest 1903 because it was not an accepted shorthand in those days to use 03 for the year.
So for what it's worth (not much really) that's all I can suggest. You may like to add your question to my blog at: http://how2valuejewelry.com/ as someone may have come across these marks.
But my best piece of advice is simply to enjoy it.
Hope this helps...
