Xraywolf
Silver Member
- Feb 28, 2005
- 3,576
- 4,362
- Detector(s) used
- Ace 400, AT Pro, equinox 800, Simplex,Vanquish 540
- Primary Interest:
- Metal Detecting
Found this gorgeous crucifix last week at a woodchip playground. I almost didn't stop here, as I had a 10 lb. block of cheese in my truck, and didn't want it to sit out of the fridge for too long. But I said what the heck, its a pretty small area. My first step off the wood blocks that define the play area I got a strong hit that bounced between foil/nickel. This was lying face down about an inch under the chips, I brushed it off, immediately thought nice, but fake, put it in my pocket and moved on.
After looking at it later, I thought its possible the gold is real [is not stamped], but obviously not the diamonds.
Well, I took it to a sort of ameteur jewler who has a weekend booth at a flea market, and he said oh yeah, the gold is genuine, but not the diamonds.
It had a broken loop [obviously, thats how it was lost] so I had it repaired and cleaned. I must say, it looked sensational after cleaning.
So I took it to a few more part time jewelers, and got opinions ranging from fake gold to real, but everyone seemed to agree the diamonds were fake.
Then I went to the mall for other things, but decided to take it to a professional jeweler at one of the big name jewelry stores.
Nice guy - He took time out from what he was doing to look at it. He flipped down his magnifyer, studied it a few brief seconds, and said ... Very nice ... Black Hills gold [first I ever heard this term] And the diamonds are real.
Woe, is what I thought. I thought they looked pretty sparkly after cleaning.
I asked him what he thought it was worth, and he said well, we charge for appraisals [$70], but it'll probably be worth the while to do it.
So .... My conscience drove me back to the school to inquire if anyone reported a missing jewelry item.
No, was the reply, so I gave them my phone # in case anyone inquired about it.
I'll probably wait a few weeks, then get it appraised and sell it. Though I wear crosses, its a bit too flashy for my taste.
First pic I took the night I found it, second pic right after I had it cleaned and fixed.
Know next to nothing about diamond values - My guess would be bout $600-$900 for a piece like this. 24 little diamonds by my count.
I had my detector [Ace 250] bought and paid for with clad alone before this - This just might get me a nice detector upgrade, though I plan on keeping my trusty little 250.
People, I'm here to tell you - Woodchip playgrounds pay off in a big way sometimes.
After looking at it later, I thought its possible the gold is real [is not stamped], but obviously not the diamonds.
Well, I took it to a sort of ameteur jewler who has a weekend booth at a flea market, and he said oh yeah, the gold is genuine, but not the diamonds.
It had a broken loop [obviously, thats how it was lost] so I had it repaired and cleaned. I must say, it looked sensational after cleaning.
So I took it to a few more part time jewelers, and got opinions ranging from fake gold to real, but everyone seemed to agree the diamonds were fake.
Then I went to the mall for other things, but decided to take it to a professional jeweler at one of the big name jewelry stores.
Nice guy - He took time out from what he was doing to look at it. He flipped down his magnifyer, studied it a few brief seconds, and said ... Very nice ... Black Hills gold [first I ever heard this term] And the diamonds are real.
Woe, is what I thought. I thought they looked pretty sparkly after cleaning.
I asked him what he thought it was worth, and he said well, we charge for appraisals [$70], but it'll probably be worth the while to do it.
So .... My conscience drove me back to the school to inquire if anyone reported a missing jewelry item.
No, was the reply, so I gave them my phone # in case anyone inquired about it.
I'll probably wait a few weeks, then get it appraised and sell it. Though I wear crosses, its a bit too flashy for my taste.
First pic I took the night I found it, second pic right after I had it cleaned and fixed.
Know next to nothing about diamond values - My guess would be bout $600-$900 for a piece like this. 24 little diamonds by my count.
I had my detector [Ace 250] bought and paid for with clad alone before this - This just might get me a nice detector upgrade, though I plan on keeping my trusty little 250.
People, I'm here to tell you - Woodchip playgrounds pay off in a big way sometimes.
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