Porcelain Sign and Solid Gold Treasures

[randazzo1]

The garage sale season is starting to show signs of life here in NJ with the first few brave souls mongering their goods in still frost dusted driveways. Several exciting finds these last few weeks. The choicest are photographed below. I've noticed recently that a their are a lot of upstart estate sale companies that are very bad at identifying unmarked gold. Hence all the unmarked gold finds. Antique 14K and Bullseye Agate Brooch (unmarked - ca 1890), 14K white gold onyx and diamond pendant (modern-marked) unusual 18K gold victorian black enamel and pearl mesh thing and ring (unmarked circa 1900 - posted in what is it) 18K gold stud for tie (unmarked, circa 1920s??), possible shipwreck coin in gold bezel (posted this one last week), 14K gold and seed pearl sorority charm (unmarked - circa 1940-60). All these items were rescued from the refining pile and will hopefully bring more than scrap at auction --- some day. All of these were purchased for less than $5.00 each.

On the non-gold side -- we came across this awesome porcelain mining railroad sign. It has some chips in the enamel - but the colors, designs and logo "the coal that satisfies" make up for it. After a long internal battle, we decided to list it on ebay. Paid $2.00 at a thrift in north jersey.

Keep you eyes peeled for sterling picture frames -- they've been turning up in the thrifts and at estate sales. Especially the Engilish ones with only the lion mark.

 

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[2Minnesota]

Very nice!! How do you know if they are solid gold if not marked? I use an acid test kit for testing unmarked metals/gold, but never know "for sure" if it's solid or gold filled or plated.

 

[randazzo1]

Thanks amigo. It can be tough to tell. A lot of it is based on the construction of the piece. There are certain clues: soldered links as opposed to closed links, open backs on settings, overall craftsmanship. Then the testing. Generally gold plated items are obvious. Some very heavy gold filled is tricky. It will scratch test as gold. E.G. 25 year watch cases. With those you either have to rub through the outer layer on a long test stone or use a file to cut deep enough to test. On some antique items, I drill a very, very fine hole, then put acid incthe hole and blot with a cotton swan lookjng for green oxides.

 

[stonehenge]

Really like that sign. Tough to find pieces like that at garage sales today.

 

[clovis97]

Is the Lehigh sign an original or a reproduction?

 

[diggummup]

Is the Lehigh sign an original or a reproduction?

It's definitely real from the photo based on the chipped porcelain around the edge. Repros would be cheap, flimsy made, tin or sheet metal, painted with enamel paint.

As for spotting gold that isn't marked, besides the proven methods that randazzo mentioned, it comes to you with practice. The more you handle gold (both solid and plated), the more you can sniff out the real stuff that's not marked. The same with silver. I find more unmarked silver than I do gold, but I have found several pieces of gold too, that were unmarked.

Nice finds on the pm's and the sign too. I'd think the sign should sell for well over $100 on a bad day.

 

[randazzo1]

I agree with diggummup - I think the sign is authentic. I couldn't find a distributor of replicas. Also - it has the type of wear and tear one would expect. I listed it on ebay - so I'll know soon enough if its real based on the selling price. When the auction concludes, I'll post the end price.

I second diggumup's comments on the gold. I'm still having trouble with spotting a lot of items myself. Just not enough experience yet.

 

[clorox]

Awesome finds! Love the gold, really love the sign! Definitely an eye-catcher.

I'm still learning all the ins and outs of recognizing unmarked gold, too. I agree than handling both solid and GF / plated items is a great learning tool. Whenever I come across a sale or shop that will let me freely browse the jewelry I always make time to examine everything I can. And if you don't mind me asking, are you planning on scrapping any of the gold or do you intend to sell them all as jewelry?

 

[isabella1]

Very nice finds: speaking of sterling picture frames, this was at goodwil for $1.99. The belt is also sterling from another thrift store marked Hanley and co. Had two other sterling belt buckels from thrift stores but they found new homes online.

 

[diggummup]

I agree with diggummup - I think the sign is authentic. I couldn't find a distributor of replicas. Also - it has the type of wear and tear one would expect. I listed it on ebay - so I'll know soon enough if its real based on the selling price. When the auction concludes, I'll post the end price.

With 26 people watching it, up from 9 at this time yesterday, it will sell for a good price. It already went past my maximum bid of $50 in 24 hours. Good luck.

 

[stonehenge]

Yeah I know at least one guy here who bid on it...

 

[diggummup]

I'd think the sign should sell for well over $100 on a bad day.

$153.00 Nice.