Re: jewelry id'ing
Here are a few basics about IDing gold rings. When you buy a ring, you have a range of quality options. These are easy to see in a found ring and can help you decide what to do. First and foremost is the mark that indicates the amount of gold in the metal the ring is made of. The higher the karat of the gold, the higher the quality of the ring - Gold plated, gold-filled, gold overlay, 10kt, 14kt, 18kt, 22kt, Platinum (not gold but reserved for the highest quality rings)- is a typical progression of metal value and an indication of ring value. As the karat of the metal goes up, so does the chance that the stone is a "real" stone or a higher quality stone. The lower end of the scale is more than likely an imitation stone, the middle may be a synthetic, and the top is generally a natural stone. Another thing that indicates quality/value is the number of prongs on the stone. The more prongs, the more the probability that the stone is a higher value. The lowest number is 4 and the highest is about 8. If it looks like it has more prongs than it needs, it is more likely a higher quality stone. The last thing I know of to indicate value is marks on the inside of the ring. A company/store mark is lower in value than one with a makers mark.
So if you put all this together and the things for a higher value ring are all present, chances are it is a good ring. If all the things for a low value ring are present, it is most likely a low value ring. If it has some characteristics and not others for a certain quality, you are on your own and it could be anything.
From my days the jewelry making mode.
Hope this helps.
Daryl
