QuestionHELLO: I HAVE A QUESTION REGARDING A MARKING ON A PENDANT. THE PENDANT IS HOLDING AN OLD SILVER COIN ON THE LOOP OF THE BEZEL IS THE MARKING 750 THE BEZEL APPEARES TO BE GOLD AND THERE IS WEAR MARKS INSIDE THE LOOP. ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
RESPECTFULLY
REV. DENNI
AnswerDennis, hi and thanks for this question.
Genrally a mark of 750 is the legally accepted standard for 18k gold. This number comes from the designation of pure gold as 24k. 18k gold is mix of pure gold with other metals like silver and copper to give the gold enough strength for use in jewelry. There are 18 parts of pure gold to 24 parts altogether.
Where does the number 750 come from? With 24 considered the entire number of parts in the mix, 18/24 as a fraction divides out to 750. Acutally the number is 0.750 but the stamp in jewelry is simply 750.
There should be a makers mark also somewhere on the bezel holding the silver coin. The makers mark is like the signer of a check attesting to the authencity of the check. The maker stamps the makers mark and in effect says, "I sign this with my mark to assure the quality stamp(the 750) is true."
If the metal is not tarnished and does not show signs of a surface layer peeling off or worn through, it may very well be 18k. The mark is for 18k, that is certain.
If you have concerns about the authenthicity of the 18k, a jeweler shold be able to perform a simple acid or electronic test to verify the karat of the gold in the bezel.
If you need more info, do not hesitate to get back with me. I do not attempt to identify makers marks but other subjects are open. Use the follow-up option pertaining to this question or ask again for a clean page.
Dennis, thanks again.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas. 7:40pm June 22, 2006
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