18ct gold ring with diamond - no hallmark

[hettie2000]

Hi, I have been given this engagement ring - it belonged to my great aunt, who married in 1920 in Cheshire, UK. I have been told it is probably 1890s, but the ring doesn't appear to have a hallmark. I've been looking on the web to identify the 'D'-in-a-diamond mark (and the '5') but had no luck. Any help would be appreciated.

It's a lovely ring that I intend to treasure

Thank you!









 

[bigwull]

What,more  do you need...the 18ct...is what it is...that,s your hallmark....Gold... unlike silver...does not  carry...crowns, lions, leopards..anchors,..etc.etc..

[hettie2000]

Thanks bigwull ! I didn't know that about gold. Just to explain, I took the ring to the jewellers for cleaning today and was told there was no hallmark - but I wasn't sure what they meant.

Could the 'D' just indicate the diamond? What about the '5'?

I'm particularly interested in the age of the ring and possible place it was made... my great aunt's mother moved to America... there's a family history that I'm looking at.

Thanks again, I appreciate your response

[bigwull]

I,ll have to eat some of what i said previously...after further searching...i found that gold indeed can have...all the afore mentioned symbols....Although all jewelry (with some exemptions) is thought to require a full array of stamps, jewelry was usually - prior to 1973 - exempt from hallmarking with the exception of wedding and mourning rings[1] [2]. One will therefor find many items from British origin that bear only a maker's mark and a purity mark. The full array should also include a date letter and an assay office mark and these were struck at the request of the purchaser..The French used a Letter within a diamond..as their date...symbol....

[KC]

Beat me to it.  Makers mark is b (or d can't tell from pic) in the diamond and purity is 18ct.  No other hallmarking.

Wonder if it was sized at the jewelers?  If the 5 is for a size 5...then it is a more modern ring.  Older pieces they didn't write sizes on.

[hettie2000]

Thanks again bigwull... we've been searching the 'net at the same time... and I also realise my question about hallmarks must have sounded a bit odd. I just didn't know much about gold hallmarking (or not) but I've learned a lot! Now it's interesting that you mention the diamond/lozenge shape could indicate France... my great aunt's mother went to France before she travelled to America. Hmm. Of course, it could just be coincidence.

KC - I just noticed your post - thanks! The ring is only small, it fits my little finger. I'm not sure what size it is though. It's at least 1920s as far I know?

I'll keep searching the web for that maker/date mark .

[mart]

The 5 would be the size !!

[hettie2000]

The 5 would be the size !!

Thanks Mart! I measured the circumference - it's about 50mm - according to Wikipedia that agrees with a US/Canadian size 5!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_size

[KC]

That's what I was thinking.... 

Still a nice ring.  Pretty design.  Great to have history on family items!

[mart]

I had that same mount back in the 60`s early 70`s (no stones) it was in a bunch of jewelry I got at a garage sale I think !!  One I had was larger about a size 7 or 8 !! Way too big for me !!  Inside was too scratched up to read !! Have you checked the U.S. for that mark !!

[hettie2000]

I spent yesterday evening looking for the mark and realised just how many there are - it's like looking for a needle in a haystack! Haven't found it yet :-/.

I'm a bit confused that the hallmark (18CT) uses the English convention whereas the sizing seems to be US?

[mart]

Few things you can check, are Designer marks and Manufacturers marks !! This ring doesn`t have a "hallmark" !!

[hettie2000]

Few things you can check, are Designer marks and Manufacturers marks !! This ring doesn`t have a "hallmark" !!

OK... so do I mean the purity mark? Is that correct? 18CT? Sorry, but I'm not an expert!!!!

I am looking for the designer/manufacturer mark, but no luck so far. Was hoping someone might recognise it .

[mart]

Correct,, I said that so you would not waste time searching that term !!  I already tried it !! LOL

[hettie2000]

LOL! Thanks for trying, Mart . There's a lot of information on the web but it doesn't all agree! I've got nowhere with the maker's mark - there's hundreds of them! It's obviously not easy to identify... but I've learned a lot in the process ;-)