14K & "diamonds" starburst brooch - need help with makers mark14K & "diamonds" starbu

[silverdollarbill]

14K & "diamonds" starburst brooch - need help with makers mark14K & "diamonds" starbu

Hello everyone,

I picked this up while on vacation. I asked for jewelry at a yard sale and the lady said to come back later. As I was leaving she asked if "I like diamonds". I told her I don't really know anything about diamonds and I personally don't like them, which is true. She showed me this brooch. She said an elderly lady gave it to her for taking care of her while she was sick. The other lady told her is was gold and real diamonds.

I gold color made me think it was 18K, but it is marked 14ct with a makers mark. (I don't want to acid test it, since it's kind of delicate)

Does anyone recognize the mark? It was in a Michael's Jewelry West Palm Beach box, but not sure that is original.

The stones looks like diamonds to me, but I have no idea. What do you think? There are 40 1.5-2mm diamonds surrounding a 4mm center stone. It's 2.5" tall and 2" wide. It weighs 14.5 grams.

Let me know what you think. Going to take it to a jeweler next weekend.

happy hunting,
bill

 

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[pganjon]

Beautiful! Paul

 

[GibH]

I can't help with the maker, but being marked 14ct rather than 14kt makes me think it is British.

 

[Drmad7]

That is a stunner! I’d hazard a guess at the middle stone being about .25ct and total carats being almost 1ct. Either way, it’s certainly European. And that starburst is certainly worth at least $500. And that’s an eBay price in my opinion. That’s a beauty! Based on large size...I would not sell it for less than $650

 

[trdhrdr007]

No idea on the makers mark. It's probably 14k & diamonds. If I had to guess I'd say it came from QVC or one of the other shopping channels.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Very beautiful piece!

 

[silverdollarbill]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I acid tested it and its 14k

@drmad7....I think your price estimate sounds right.

@trdhrdr007...I'm 90% sure this is not QVC. Quality looks good, better than in picks.

Any recommendations for affordable diamond tester?

 

[randazzo1]

Wow that’s a gorgeous piece. With the whole mid-mod craze still humming along it should bring a great price. What is that mark? A little bell or do you think it’s letters?

Given the age, craftsmanship and gold content, I would say definitely diamonds without hesitation. But for Diamond testers - IMO you buy a decent one or ur throwing ur money away. It’s like pinpointers for detecting. I like the Ceres brand detectors.

 

[trdhrdr007]

@trdhrdr007...I'm 90% sure this is not QVC. Quality looks good, better than in picks.

QVC (& similar) sell items that are way overpriced. Quality is still generally good on the jewelry. I've had very similarly styled items pass through my hands that came from QVC. Manufacturers vary and prices on the secondary market run about the same as any other mid level grade jewelry.

 

[Drmad7]

QVC (& similar) sell items that are way overpriced. Quality is still generally good on the jewelry. I've had very similarly styled items pass through my hands that came from QVC. Manufacturers vary and prices on the secondary market run about the same as any other mid level grade jewelry.

It doesn’t look very mid level to me. But you could be right, although I didn’t know QVC made or sold European jewelry (14ct Mark).

 

[GibH]

The 14ct mark isn't European, it is either British, or one of their former commonwealths. Australia, New Zealand or Canada (would have to be antique) are possibilities, but I would almost guarantee it is from the U.K.

The rest of Europe uses either kt or percentage.

 

[Omega]

Any recommendations for affordable diamond tester?

This: https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Diamon...629678&hash=item4d64add093:g:nZoAAOSwTo1csNXz

The cheap ones such, they'll read white sapphire as diamond, as well as false read moisonite as diamond. This is by far the best tester in my professional opinion, if testing diamonds is something you're going to be doing somewhat regularly, I'd definitely recommend getting one of these. You can get them for 125-150 at auction from verified sellers on eBay if you are patient. Just my 2c

-Omega

 

[trdhrdr007]

I guess it all depends on what you call mid level. IMO a nice piece in the $400-700 range without a well known maker fits the bill.