OT: Gold hallmarks

JoeJoe

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Aug 5, 2021, 5:12:54 AM8/5/21

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Any of you smart guys know anything about those?

Daughters bought a ring from a charity shop for pennies, and later found
that t had hallmarks on it.

Not sure if it is gold, but it is pretty heavy and looks way too good a
quality to be just plain metal.

There are 3 hallmarks: the letter "M", a circle with what looks like a
swan (or a duck) in it, and another circle with what could potentially
be the letter "C"

Photos are here:

https://tinyimg.io/i/TINo2EW.JPG
https://tinyimg.io/i/paBuI0E.JPG

Any idea anyone?

Andy Burns

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Aug 5, 2021, 5:29:03 AM8/5/21

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Don't think a swan is a UK hallmark symbol

<https://www.assayofficelondon.co.uk/hallmarking/what-is-a-hallmark>

Andy Burns

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Aug 5, 2021, 5:32:33 AM8/5/21

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Andy Burns wrote:

> Don't think a swan is a UK hallmark symbol

Swarovski? in which case yellow metal with glass rocks!

nightjar

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Aug 5, 2021, 7:28:15 AM8/5/21

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Swarovski, made after 1988, when they adopted the swan symbol. The C is
the copyright mark. Not sure about the M, but it probably means
something to the company.

--
Colin Bignell

Spike

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Aug 5, 2021, 7:43:05 AM8/5/21

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M might be the size marking.

--
Spike

Chris Bacon

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Aug 5, 2021, 9:54:56 AM8/5/21

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On 05/08/2021 10:12, JoeJoe wrote:

> There are 3 hallmarks: the letter "M", a circle with what looks like a
> swan (or a duck) in it, and another circle with what could potentially
> be the letter "C"
>
> Photos are here:
>
> https://tinyimg.io/i/TINo2EW.JPG
> https://tinyimg.io/i/paBuI0E.JPG
>
> Any idea anyone?

It doesn't look like gold. The markings do not look like hallmarks. If
you live near a place that says "We buy gold", ask them what they will
give you for it.

nightjar

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Aug 5, 2021, 12:06:44 PM8/5/21

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If it is about 5/8 diameter, then it probably is.

--
Colin Bignell

newshound

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Aug 5, 2021, 12:06:55 PM8/5/21

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I'm sure they are not. My late father used to pick all sorts of stuff in
junk shops, one time he bought home an impressive heavy brass ring (he
did *not* pay gold prices for it!). This had various very small fake
hallmarks, on looking closely with a good lens it was obvious that a
jeweller / scrap merchant or whatever had defaced the main one with a
chisel, presumably covertly when offered it, to prevent anyone from
being taken in.

Cursitor Doom

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Aug 5, 2021, 2:05:46 PM8/5/21

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Those are not Assay Office hallmarks. They look like they've been
placed on there by the manufacturer for god knows what reason. If it
were gold, there would be some numbers. You'd see .375 for 9ct. or
.750 for 18ct. IMO it's junk.

JoeJoe

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Aug 5, 2021, 3:40:19 PM8/5/21

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Not planning to retire on the proceeds, just interested and couldn't
find details online, that's all ;-)

It is well made, definitely not cheap and nasty and the hallmarks are
very nice which is why I thought that it could be real gold.

She paid £2 for it and is really happy to wear it, regardless of its value.

Based on what was suggested here, it is very likely a Swarovski. Not
available on their website for sale, but the cheapest ring there (and
only very few of them are real gold) is around £60, some a LOT more, so
a bargain nonetheless.

Thanks all for you help!

Brian Gaff (Sofa)

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Aug 6, 2021, 3:27:09 AM8/6/21

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That company if you were in their collectors club used to give away each
year some kind of gift, key rings flowers etc, and I guess maybe rings, but
surely they would not have fitted everyone?
Brian

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This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
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Another John

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Aug 8, 2021, 1:25:25 PM8/8/21

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In article <cZGdnW64q8A9o5H8...@brightview.co.uk>,

JoeJoe <n...@mail.com> wrote:

> Not planning to retire on the proceeds, just interested and couldn't
> find details online, that's all ;-)
> It is well made, definitely not cheap and nasty and the hallmarks are
> very nice which is why I thought that it could be real gold.
> She paid £2 for it and is really happy to wear it, regardless of its value.

Agreed! In my limited experience, Swarowksi make really nice jewellery.
In my opinion the real value of jewellery is if it gives the wearer (and
therefore the giver) pleasure, not if it's made of precious metals
(which have their own burden).

Well done, your daughter!

J.