Decoding Ring Marks: Identifying IVO and Gemstone Origins

Question
I purchased a ring from an estate sale, uncommon K worn off two smoky topaz and a peridot. My interest lies in the mark IVO. wondering it's meaning. Thank you!
Lani

Answer
It is difficult to know where the ring came from but with the smokey topaz and the peridot stone unless they are a very unusual cut or shape it probably wasn't a particularly valuable item and the mark was just a part of a manufacture name stamp. perhaps TIVO and the T worn off meaning Tivoli area or a manufactures name. with wear several things are difficult to assume. as for the K  before i believe 1952 in some places they didn't have legal stamp requirements however there are many areas that used sub standard stamps and perhaps the best way to determine is to test for yourself. It was not uncommon for knock offs to use part of a well known manufactures name to accelerate their products worth.
Again it's difficult to say without seeing the piece. you might check the Tivoli website to see if it matches any of their designs:
http://www.tivolijewelers.com/rings.html
I hope this helps.
C