QuestionI found a Gold ring ( I believe ). I do not see anywhere where it is marked KT but on the underneath in a square rectangle it is marked with a C inside a circle (like a copyright symbol) Followed by a Star Symbol. Any insight will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
AnswerWell Dave, Thanks for the question,
here is a link to the Trade mark page that may have the star you mentioned.:
http://www.illusionjewels.com/costumejewelrymarkss.html
That doesn't mean it's Gold. in fact if it isn't stamped it probably isn't unless it is Very old. you could test it with a gold test kit but that would only tell you the surface metal. To test the ring you should cut or file enough to get below the surface and then test with aqua regia or a gold test kit. If it turns green or almost any color it isn't gold. Green is probably brass white or creamy brown could be silver, blue is most likely nickle or some other pot metal. The Gold test kit usually uses a very strong acid like Nitric or has a special aqua regia mix.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqua_regia
Or you can order one already mixed to turn only the Karat you test. You can order a test kit or tester from a company like this if you don't have one.
http://www.scales-n-tools.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=10&gclid=CN-yg4akx
Both can burn your skin and are only to be used with proper directions. I recommend gloves and eye protection.
To tell the Karat a test sample of each type of Karat that you want to test for is needed to compare the fade time on a piece of slate,when you put a drop of aqua regia on the gold stripes you rub on the slate. or you can buy an expensive electronic tester but again that will only tell you the surface Karat.
I hope this helps you.
C
