Sterling Silver Cz Ring, "marked" ..., "stamped" ... Please Help!

Q: I'm currently selling a gold ring ... I'm also getting some questions from bidders who ask whether or not it is "marked" and whether the ring is "stamped with 18K". What do these mean ? Here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2667200102

A:My wedding ring has tiny letters on the inside that say "14K". Maybe that's what they mean--that it was stamped with the grade? And 10K if it is 10K... That is what we have in the US for legal standards, except for some solders and the like that have maybe 3 to 6 karat or so in them... I don't do bench jewelry, but ISTR that there is 12K solder, I dunno anymore. In the UK, I know they use 9 K for rings a lot, but it is not a legal standard in the US. The Karat denotes parts of 24. Thus 14K is 14/24ths pure and 18K is 18/24ths gold. You will often see stuff from the Bahamas and elsewhere stamped 585 or 58.5. That is the percentage equivalent of 14K... Sterling silver is 925 or .925. (92.5% silver, the rest are alloys to harden it) "Coin silver" in the US is 90%. Jewlers have special stamps that are off-set for marking the item because the laws say they must to sell it as gold or silver... Often the maker will stamp or mark initials or some kind of signature on the ring as well as the composition of the metal if silver, gold or platinum. I think this is required, but wasn't always. Even if not required in many countries, nearly ever piece of modern genuine and even costume jewelry will have an identifying logo. Monet and Avon make (made) lots of costume jewelry and when you see either of those names, you know it is not what it seems to be. A look inside the ring gives it away... I would be curious if it says 18K HGE. Does it have HGE or HGM on the ring? If so, the piece is a plated CZ or YAG or similar and arguably not worth more than the shipping cost if it is a used item. That is why they are asking, among other things. Exactly what do the letters that are there say, if any? Get a magnifier and note every letter "stamped" inside. The buyers are wise to request this info. 18k gold is rather soft, and I see at least one dent on the ring, but 18K is more valuable than 14K. However 14K is usually not the choice of platers and people that make CZ rings, etc. 18K is the choice, because the more gold in the plating, the nicer it looks and there is a chance that you have a plated ring there. It does not look it to me, but it well could be. CZ is often put in plated pieces, but genuine jewelry grade diamonds are seldom found in base metal. the stampings inside *usually* tell the story... I know this: you have guaranteed it to be genuine gold and diamonds, but from reading your post, I guarantee I could put a bunch of diamonds and all manner of fakes; paste, CZ, YAG, topaz, white sapphires, rock chystal and even glass, etc. in front of you and would not know the difference. The Hope diamond is blue, for example, and you would never guess it is a diamond. Of course, you might not think that a diamond is carbon, either... There is no shame in not knowing real from genuine. Fakes are supposed to look like the real thing... Your bidders want to make sure they are getting the real thing, as much as possible without looking at it. Do you have a certificate (authenticity, carat weight of stones, grade/color of diamonds?) for the ring from an appraiser or from the original seller? Any paperwork at all? Used items like this sell for about a buck to a three a point unless the gold is worth more. I figure about 15 to 18 points of diamonds and will sell for about $35-50 if you are lucky on ebay and it is genuine... US $, not Canadian. If not genuine, you might get it back, negative feedback, and a chargeback... Looks genuine to me, from an I-PIC... Can't tell for sure from any picture, though. The info inside the ring will help the knowledgeable bidders. If they ask and you answer truthfully, then they know what they are getting and you are in the clear. Always best to tell them everything written (stamped) on the item and let them decide, anyway. Me? I would mention that there are minor dings and dents and point out that it is used. Sure looks used, at least. New rings do not have that dull look to them. A good cleaning might get you another 15-20 bux, IMHO. Also, if you have ANY doubt, take it to pawn shops and mom and pop jewlers. If it is fake, they will not even make you an offer at almost any store.

Discuss It!

Most Popular Articles

More

Marketplace

Related Articles

More

Related Categories

More

Recently Added

More

Other Great Sites