I would like to pick the collective orchid brain if I could. I
just received an old ring that belonged to my father and am trying
to get some info on it. As I am told, he traded cigarettes and
chocolate for it in occupied germany in 1945, it seems this was
common practice at the time.
The ring is stamped “585”. It is some carat of gold but I suspect
it is low as there is some amount of tarnish. Does anyone know what
this stamp signifies? It is a crude construction but it has a very
nice cameo carved from a white on black agate. If anyone can shead
some light on this piece or post-war german jewelry in general I
would be very greatfull.
585 is the percentage of gold equaling 14 k thus 12 k is 500 and
24 k would be 1000 but I’ve .never seen it marked that way. The
same way sterling silver is .925 for 92 1/2 percent silver
The ring is stamped “585”. It is some carat of gold but I suspect
it is low as there is some amount of tarnish. Does anyone know what
this stamp signifies?
14K is .5833333% gold, so yours is probably 14.04K (by my
calculator). Probably a good cleaning and light polish will get rid
of any tarnish. It is most likely due to the copper content in the
alloy. It may only take a rouge cloth. If the cameo is shell (as
it should be) DONT tumble polish. Use a wheel cautiously
Don’t hate yourself in the morning–sleep till noon
Bobert
in Carmel, CA
Being sexy is a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it
Bobert
Carmel,CA