About Coast Guard ring. (Antique oficianados, look away!)

[WHADIFIND]

For those who advocate not cleaning antiques, (I actually agree), but, in this case, I used it for a learning tool. Sorry.

Anyway, for any who saw my last post, know that I recently uncovered an old ring in my junk jar that has sat for about 30 years! LOL While testing all the rings with my new testing kit, I found this one that tested as sterling.

(See this post for the original way this looked. http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/t...t-go-hunting-but-i-still-found-something.html )

Well, I used a bit of lemon juice, electrolysis (both chemical-washing soda and electrical), a bit of water and baking soda, Ultrasound, and finally a bit of polish to get to this end.

Below are a couple pics.



At this point I was able to sort of confirm my testing of silver, at least partially.



Don't know if you can read this but it says something I hadn't seen before. (I need to get out more! ). It said "1/40 10k on sterling". Now, I'm not certain if that means gold plating on a sterling silver ring or gold plating done on top of a silver plating. I don't much care but it does prove I tested correctly. LOL



A bit more cleaning:










It still looks like it says USN to me.

Ok, oficiandos? You can look now, I'm done cleaning.



It might be a shame to "trash" this find, but, it's never going to be valued in dollars and it's not only nice and shiny for my display case, it also has taught me a lot about cleaning things.

Hope some enjoyed.

Thanks!

HH!

 

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[sonofadigger]

thats a awesome ring

 

[Fix]

I see where it says 1/40 10k. I'm pretty sure that means it was gold plated.

 

[WHADIFIND]

I see where it says 1/40 10k. I'm pretty sure that means it was gold plated.

Yep, it does. The key thing was that I didn't know it was sterling. The "on sterling" is directly below the "1/40 10k"

Thanks!

HH!

 

[WHADIFIND]

thats a awesome ring

Thanks! Hmmmm, just think, that ring has sat in a jar for longer than you've been alive. LOL

HH!

 

[sonofadigger]

Thanks! Hmmmm, just think, that ring has sat in a jar for longer than you've been alive. LOL

HH!

I have you to know sir I am 33 years old so ha lol

 

[DocBeav]

The Coast Guard falls under the Department of the Navy during wartime so it may well say USN on the side for that reason.

 

[WHADIFIND]

I have you to know sir I am 33 years old so ha lol

Well, let's see, I first put coil to ground around 1975 and I probably found this in one of the first two years. Looked at it, said, "Junk!" and tossed it in the junk jar. Been there ever since.

I stand by my statement. LOL

 

[pl8man]

Very cool ring !

 

[66Fairlane]

Just as DocBeav stated, the CG falls under the USN during a time of war which has only occurred during WWI and WWII. Therefore your ring is at least 70 years old!

 

[Jess]

Super cool ring!

 

[drbecker]

1/40 10K means it was 1/40 by weight 10K gold when it was made. This would normally be called gold filled and is much thinker then plating but still very little gold 10/24*1/40=.01042 % gold as made. It now looks like there is no gold left on it but it is still sterling silver.

 

[WHADIFIND]

Just as DocBeav stated, the CG falls under the USN during a time of war which has only occurred during WWI and WWII. Therefore your ring is at least 70 years old!

Thanks! That's neat info.

HH!

 

[WHADIFIND]

1/40 10K means it was 1/40 by weight 10K gold when it was made. This would normally be called gold filled and is much thinker then plating but still very little gold 10/24*1/40=.01042 % gold as made. It now looks like there is no gold left on it but it is still sterling silver.

That helps a lot! I knew a little about what they meant, but I wasn't exactly sure. About the gold layer, I also recognized that most of it was already gone so, going for pretty much a sterling finish was somewhat intentional. What little gold that was left just didn't look very good. (to me).

Thanks for the information!

HH!

 

[sonofadigger]

Well, let's see, I first put coil to ground around 1975 and I probably found this in one of the first two years. Looked at it, said, "Junk!" and tossed it in the junk jar. Been there ever since.

I stand by my statement. LOL

Lol makes sense

 

[fishstick]

1st off great ring!! 2nd ur gettin the hang of that testin and ur cleanin methods im learnin alot from. Keep up the good work and thanx for the info.. HH

 

[stewielouie]

Ring looks lots better than those first pics thats for sure!! Congrats on the RE- find!!

 

[WHADIFIND]

1/40 10K means it was 1/40 by weight 10K gold when it was made. This would normally be called gold filled and is much thinker then plating but still very little gold 10/24*1/40=.01042 % gold as made. It now looks like there is no gold left on it but it is still sterling silver.

One question. You seem to know about the plating etc. When the ring is stamped 10k on sterling. Does that usually mean the base ring is sterling or just that there was a sterling plate laid down for the gold to sit on?

Thanks again for your information!

HH!

 

[g-olden years]

Ring looks really good after your diligent cleanup! Andi

 

[kam50]

Nice ring and good cleaning job. HH