✅ SOLVED Need help with marking inside what looks like White Gold ring...Also stone??

[testing123]

Found this the other day at a spot that's yielded coins and jewelry dating to the first half of the 1900s. It appears to be white gold. At first I thought it was 10k, but looks to be either "J10L" or a 90 degree angle followed by 10L. Or maybe it's a 10 inside two 90 degree angles? Any ideas what it could be? My guess is the ring dates before 1950.

Also, any idea what the stone could be? There is barely any marks on the stone itself, so it's pretty surprising. Found fake stones at this place and they were scratched to death. The whole top is curved and flat, red color. Thanks for any help!

 

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[Ant]

That ring looks like yellow gold plate that is beginning to corrode, my guess is the numbers are a casting code and the setting could be glass, garnet, amethyst... Any other markings?

 

[testing123]

Maybe it is a yellow gold? It just looked more whitish than other gold found at this site. It was buried in salt water for 50 years or more, so if it was plated, I'd imagine it would have come off by now. What is in the pics is the uncleaned ring, so there is some tarnish.

There is also an inscription inside the band. "To XXX from XXX". So it's another reason I believe it is gold of some sort.

 

[Ant]

If that ring was in saltwater for that long it is gold, still the markings don't relate to the gold content.

 

[testing123]

It's definitely an odd marking. You think I should try polishing it up a little bit to bring out its features more?

 

[ARC]

Testing... how do you know this ring has been in the saltwater for 50 years ?

IMO poss gold filled IF not solid.

 

[pepperj]

Unless it's just the lighting it appears that the ring is showing the base metal and it's looking pretty greenish. A simple test will tell you what you actually have, good luck.

 

[testing123]

I can see what you guys are seeing in the photos. It does look like there is plating that's wearing off. Its just tarnish and I will clean it up and retake photos tonight and try different lighting.
AARC, it was found at a depth silver coins and other vintage jewelry was found. So even though its not 100% proof its been pretty consistent.

 

[testing123]

Cleaned up the ring and retook the pics. It's odd because when it was found it looked lighter than it does now. Full yellow gold coloring throughout. The pics shown before where it was tarnished are now tarnish free. What do you guys think now?

 

[pepperj]

Nothing like having something washed and buffed up a little. Looking a lot better now, congrats on the ring.

 

[ARC]

New pics... nice... its gold.

 

[Ant]

Yhep it's gold, I bet 10k, may purple topaz, very nice.

 

[testing123]

thanks guys! it's definitely looking better than it originally did. One final question. What do the initials look like? I'm thinking either an H or a K, or maybe an R where the top's worn off?

 

[trikikiwi]

To J.F.K

or is it J. H(offa) ?

but seriously; or is it an I. first?
Very nice ring, regardless. It's going to be interesting to see if T'net can identify the original owner.

 

[testing123]

haha, I did a double take too when it looked like JFK. I think the first two are J and F, but am not sure if the last one is an H, K or maybe a worn R. Hoping the eagle-eyes here can help determine what it is!

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

A black light with both spectrums can help in figuring out the stone but the colors it emits.

Real Or Repro ~ Identifying Fakes and Reproductions