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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: agreeneyes on April 29, 2013, 08:41:32 pm
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I purchased this at an estate sale and was told it was old and it was gold. I'm not sure, it appears to be gold and the number 14 is stamped on the inside of the clasp. In your opinion would the number 14 represent 14kt. Also from what I've been able to research this appears to be either late 1800s or early 1900s. It is approximately 13 1/2 inches long. If this is 14kt gold what would the value of a watch chain like this be, thank you
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Here in UK,each individual link is stamped,...but thats not to say this is,nt gold..it certainly looks like gold, Rose Gold is what its called over here,value will be determined by weight, e.g...20g = £404 in the UK
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Looks fine and you'd get more than it's scrap value on Ebay
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That's a handsome chain, and as the others have said; it will do good.
Here's just the clasp from a chain, that is simply marked "14"...and it sold.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/14K-Yellow-Gold-PocketWatch-Chain-Swivel-Victorian-No-Reserve-/380572501853?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item589be3875d#ht_2116wt_1070 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/14K-Yellow-Gold-PocketWatch-Chain-Swivel-Victorian-No-Reserve-/380572501853?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item589be3875d#ht_2116wt_1070)
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I'm not a jeweler so I don't have a jewelers scale, but I've weighed it on a postage scale it weighs a little under 2 oz. I thought it might be rose gold but wasn't sure because of the patina and it hasn't been cleaned. This was a fortunate buy because I only paid $20.00 for it because no one else bid on it because at the time they thought it was just gold filled. I didn't find out about the stamp 14 on the clasp until I looking it over and cleaned the clasp. At todays gold prices that would make it scrap for $2500-$3000?, do you think I could even ask more than that for the chain, thank you for all of your information
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You're going to need a more precise weight as a guide and this isn't rose gold.
Also, i wouldn't sell now as prices have dropped. They'll recover soon.
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It's a nice weighted chain and this is yellow gold with an antique look? Thank you for all of the information
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If by your reckoning,this chain weighs a little under 2oz...where do you get the idea that it is worth $2500/$3000...as there is ..31.1034768 in 1 oz...so even if it were 2oz which is 62g.+..and as it is only 14k...which at the moment is trading at a tad below $30 per g...which is around $1860,..its still a great return for a $20 outlay....as for getting more for it...you,ll only get what someone,s prepared to pay...you can stick any price you want,on it but there is no guarantee that you,ll get more than its scrap value,
thats better...
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This is why I've come to the experts because I haven't any knowledge of gold and determining the value. I've researched and discovered a troy ounce, which is how gold weight is determined is different than a regular ounce but wasn't sure how the difference is converted. I appreciate all of your information on the conversion, it helps me greatly , thank you
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14 might also indicate length !! You did say 13/1/2 approx. ?? I don`t think I have seen gold mark that wasn`t followed by K !!
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that thought crossed my mind also...as i found it strange that nobody bid past, $20 for it...and i believe it was a hands on auction...i hope you,re wrong...but.....its not as if the k could have been rubbed off,...and i would have expected more links to be stamped...like they do over here..
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I was wondering the same thing about the 14 but in my research I found several antique gold watch chains for sale and they were just marked 14. Each seller also stated they had been acid tested and they were 14 kt gold. There were even some that didn't have any hallmarks but they had been acid tested and the test proved they were 14 kt gold. Probably the only way to know for sure is to take it to a jeweler or someone who buys gold. Thank you
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Looks like gold to me but I've been fooled many times over, even with stamped items. Just for grins did you do the magnet test over the full length of the chain?
Kevin
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Yes, I did the magnet test it doesn't stick to a magnet. Thank you
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Looks like gold to me but I've been fooled many times over, even with stamped items. Just for grins did you do the magnet test over the full length of the chain?
Kevin
Oh..we have first hand experience of being fooled.....by you.... ;D
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If it was real gold would it stick to the magnet?
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Noooooooooooooooooo ooooooo!!
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I did the magnet test before even contacting the experts because I thought if it doesn't stick to the magnet then it could very well be real gold and the 14 represents 14 kt. Also, I did discover in my research that a lot of gold jewelry made before 1900s wasn't even hallmarked. The article stated it wasn't until the 1960s when the hallmark act went into effect. This does appear to be a vintage piece possibly late 1800s? Thank you
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you can buy a gold testing kit on ebay..they are not expensive...
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All this conjecture will get you nowhere...get it tested,..there is no point building your hopes up on Maybe,s....i hope it it is gold...but if it is,nt...just be sure to stay away from ropes and sharp razors....
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Looks like gold to me but I've been fooled many times over, even with stamped items. Just for grins did you do the magnet test over the full length of the chain?
Kevin
Oh..we have first hand experience of being fooled.....by you.... ;D
Is Today April 1st or May 1st? ;D
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Oh!..what a short memory you have...perhaps the upside/down Italian Plonk bottle will jog your memory.... ;D
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Oh!..what a short memory you have...perhaps the upside/down Italian Plonk bottle will jog your memory.... ;D
"Is Today April 1st or May 1st?"
This was another one..... ;D
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I've thought of purchasing the acid test kits, I guess that is what I'll do just to make sure thank you
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I've thought of purchasing the acid test kits, I guess that is what I'll do just to make sure thank you
Here's a hillbilly method.
Back when I had a shop I used the "coffee mug gold test" as a rough guide in deciding whether or not to investigate further. Pretty simple...just turn a coffee mug upside down to expose the narrow unglazed rim. Rub a corner of whatever you are questioning across that rim. If the article leaves a gold mark on the rim, that's a positive sign that it's not plated. If you see a white or black mark, it's not solid gold.
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Well,, old dog, new trick syndrome again !! Learned a new one !! Thanks Rauville !! I rarely had jewelry since most of my business was in furniture !!
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I've never heard of that technique, thank you
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I did the magnet test before even contacting the experts because I thought if it doesn't stick to the magnet then it could very well be real gold and the 14 represents 14 kt. Also, I did discover in my research that a lot of gold jewelry made before 1900s wasn't even hallmarked. The article stated it wasn't until the 1960s when the hallmark act went into effect. This does appear to be a vintage piece possibly late 1800s? Thank you
Looks like gold to me but i'm judging it by an image
Use the following formula to calculate density: Density = mass/volume displacement. A result close to 19 g/ml indicates either real gold, or a material with a density similar to gold. Here is an example calculation:
Your gold item weighs 38 g and it displaces 2 milliliters of water. Using the formula of [mass (38 g)]/[volume displacement (2 ml)], your result would be 19 g/ml, which is very close to the density of gold.
Bear in mind that different gold purity will have a different g/ml ratio:
14K – 12.9 to 14.6 g/ml
18K yellow – 15.2 to 15.9 g/ml
18K white – 14.7 to 16.9 g/ml
22K – 17.7 to 17.8 g/ml
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Gold test kit, = $15...simples...no mathematical formula,s needed...
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I was curious so I tried the suggestion of the simple coffee mug test and it made a gold mark, great idea. With the number 14 on the clasp it is probably 14 kt and it does have a beautiful rich antique gold color. How wonderful it is to be able to ask the experts and receive so many helpful suggestions. Thank you
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Check it out and let us know !!
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Hold it and let the chain quit swinging , then get a good strong magnet and see if it is magnetic or not. If it is gold it wont be magnetic.
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Hold it and let the chain quit swinging , then get a good strong magnet and see if it is magnetic or not. If it is gold it wont be magnetic.
You,ve missed the boat....we,ve already been there....its always a good idea to back check....
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Yes, I already tried the magnet test and it doesn't stick to it, thank you