QuestionI have a ss bracelet,inside it has 3 crowns in a triangle form
it has robert underneath right side of triangle.another writing underneath left side (but I can not make it out,kind of like vll number ) not sure.then at bottom it has
sterling. above crowns it has 925.Thank You for your time.Melinda
AnswerHello Melinda
I apologize for the slow response but I have been at a gemstone and jewellery show this past weekend and am just getting sorted out from the trip.
Now regarding your piece: I am fairly sure it is of Swedish origin. The 3 crowns in the triangle are typical of a standard Swedish makers mark.the company that most probably produced it is Robert's Guldsmedja, located in Koping Sweden that began producing, or rather registered their mark in 2003.the "v11" as you said refers to a date most likely- without actually seeing it I am speculating based on the fact that from the 1800's on Swedes have been using similar standards positioned as you described to indicate dates.925 is the fineness mark that indicates it is Sterling silver,or 92.5%pure silver and the balance most likely copper (7.5%).
If the piece was fabricated before , say the 1970's when metals were standardised worldwide as not only protection for consumers, a point of reference for repairs and so that all trade (retail and wholesale, designers, manufacturers, etc.)would be on the same page".Whereas if it were stamped 999 or .999 it would specify that the piece is Fine Ag- "fine "meaning 100% pure silver according to the worldwide precious metals market and a softer more malleable and ductile metal that is considered by some unsuitable for jewelry making because in normal wear it gets scratched and dented quite easily.Retailers then in attempts to imply a lifetime guarantee on the jewelry they sell would constantly be polishing out the scratches and dents particularly in rings.
I personally use fine silver when I design and silver is part of the workpiece preferring it to sterling or the newer alloys "Argentium" or "Brilliante"that tarnish less readily than traditional sterling alloyed with copper.Because many skins react with copper leaving that distinct tell-tale green swath upon the skin where the jewelry is worn and allergies to copper occur in some people gives me 2 more reasons to use .999 Ag and eliminate the occurrence of that biochemical reaction( some jewelry makers use a coating similar to fingernail enamels/ polishes to prevent or seal sterling that is in contact with skin to prevent reactions too)!
So I hope I have given yo some of the information you sought and if you have any other questions I invite yo to contact me again.If you have a photo of the mark or can draw it on a whiteboard and cut and paste it or in another drawing application( like Google's free download"3-D Sketch-Up" for instance)that would further help me offer an absolutely correct assessment to you. If you get a magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe you may be able to see the other stampings better.
Best regards
