Diamonds are a girl's best friend, but how old are they?
April 5, 2011 12:39 PM Subscribe
I have this bracelet with diamonds that was inherited to me. Can you tell me circa when was it made?
Here's a photo of it: on flickr
also, is there a way to tell if it's white gold, silver or platinum? or something else?
Here's a photo of it: on flickr
also, is there a way to tell if it's white gold, silver or platinum? or something else?
have you had it appraised? You really should do that for insurance purposes. It may be that your appraiser can tell you more about it than any of us.
posted by Mad_Carew at 12:47 PM on April 5, 2011
posted by Mad_Carew at 12:47 PM on April 5, 2011
Appraiser, for sure. A slightly greyish matte finish suggests that it might be platinum, in which case you should get it appraised and insured now.
posted by workerant at 12:51 PM on April 5, 2011
posted by workerant at 12:51 PM on April 5, 2011
Call Andrew Nelson. He is the best in the field. Email him your picture.
posted by kellygreen at 12:52 PM on April 5, 2011
posted by kellygreen at 12:52 PM on April 5, 2011
It looks a lot like a 1940s-ish watch my great grandma had. (Yours is way more blinged out, though.)
/not a jewelry or vintage expert
posted by phunniemee at 12:55 PM on April 5, 2011
/not a jewelry or vintage expert
posted by phunniemee at 12:55 PM on April 5, 2011
Best answer: Amateur guess from a jewelry but I think it looks Art Deco, 1920s-30ish based on these similar bracelets from that time.
posted by rmless at 1:05 PM on April 5, 2011
posted by rmless at 1:05 PM on April 5, 2011
I was actually going to say pre-Deco to early Deco.
Even if you don't get an official appraisal, if you take it to a good jeweller (even some mall jewellers can qualify) you can ask them if they think it has any value. They have testers that they can use to tell if the stones are diamonds or glass. If they're diamonds, then it's definitely time to get an official appraisal.
posted by sardonyx at 1:20 PM on April 5, 2011
Even if you don't get an official appraisal, if you take it to a good jeweller (even some mall jewellers can qualify) you can ask them if they think it has any value. They have testers that they can use to tell if the stones are diamonds or glass. If they're diamonds, then it's definitely time to get an official appraisal.
posted by sardonyx at 1:20 PM on April 5, 2011
I don't mean to be pedantic, but the word you're looking for is "bequeathed" not "inherited". I can't help with the identification, but the center stone looks to be a reasonable size, and the bracelet could be worth a fair bit. Get it appraised for insurance purposes. Good luck.
posted by Homo economicus at 2:39 PM on April 5, 2011
posted by Homo economicus at 2:39 PM on April 5, 2011
There are a few hallmarks and logos here. If you find something similar to what is stamped on the bracelet, you're probably looking at costume jewellery.
Of course, if there is a C and an A with the V, you've got a more expensive piece on your hands.
posted by sardonyx at 4:23 PM on April 5, 2011
Of course, if there is a C and an A with the V, you've got a more expensive piece on your hands.
posted by sardonyx at 4:23 PM on April 5, 2011
You're probably not looking for lecture, but I feel the need to say a few things anyway.
Throughout history, plenty of pieces of jewellery have been famous for having complex, sometimes dark, intriguing histories. Glamour and mystique have always gone hand-in-hand with the jewellery business.
A lot of people buy and love vintage jewellery. The people who do so, for the most part, have no idea of the history or story behind the pieces. They appreciate them for their inherent and aesthetic qualities.
While your friend's dad may be able to speculate about the bracelet's history, he can't know the facts absolutely and with one-hundred per cent certainty. Do you even know the immediate history of the piece? Do you even know when or where the person who left it to you acquired it?
This bracelet is something that was given to you by, presumably, a loved one. That person valued (at least to some degree) the piece and seemed to have valued you. That person wanted you to have something to serve as a reminder of him/her.
You have absolutely nothing to feel shame about when it comes to this piece. You weren't personally involed in its history. You can't take responsibility for what (if anything) happened to its previous owners.
Remember, even if you do decide to sell it, or eventually give it to somebody else, it's not going to change the original history. If you feel somehow "tainted" by the piece, I can't see how the money you'd get from the sale would be less tainted. If you personally feel shame in owning the piece, then why wouldn't that sense of shame transfer to the next owner, especially if it is somebody you know with similar sensiblities?
If you believe in all the magical/mystical properties of stones and jewellery -- which I don't -- put your own positive energy into it.
Even if you don't believe in magical energy transfer, wear the bracelet with love and remembrance of the person who gave it to you. At this point in time that's the most important quality or aspect of this piece of jewellery -- beyond its simple monetary value of course. That way when it comes time for you to pass along the piece, the person receiving it will know that it comes with love.
(Personally, I'd get it appraised at the very least and possibly insured, but that's just me.)
posted by sardonyx at 8:57 AM on April 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Throughout history, plenty of pieces of jewellery have been famous for having complex, sometimes dark, intriguing histories. Glamour and mystique have always gone hand-in-hand with the jewellery business.
A lot of people buy and love vintage jewellery. The people who do so, for the most part, have no idea of the history or story behind the pieces. They appreciate them for their inherent and aesthetic qualities.
While your friend's dad may be able to speculate about the bracelet's history, he can't know the facts absolutely and with one-hundred per cent certainty. Do you even know the immediate history of the piece? Do you even know when or where the person who left it to you acquired it?
This bracelet is something that was given to you by, presumably, a loved one. That person valued (at least to some degree) the piece and seemed to have valued you. That person wanted you to have something to serve as a reminder of him/her.
You have absolutely nothing to feel shame about when it comes to this piece. You weren't personally involed in its history. You can't take responsibility for what (if anything) happened to its previous owners.
Remember, even if you do decide to sell it, or eventually give it to somebody else, it's not going to change the original history. If you feel somehow "tainted" by the piece, I can't see how the money you'd get from the sale would be less tainted. If you personally feel shame in owning the piece, then why wouldn't that sense of shame transfer to the next owner, especially if it is somebody you know with similar sensiblities?
If you believe in all the magical/mystical properties of stones and jewellery -- which I don't -- put your own positive energy into it.
Even if you don't believe in magical energy transfer, wear the bracelet with love and remembrance of the person who gave it to you. At this point in time that's the most important quality or aspect of this piece of jewellery -- beyond its simple monetary value of course. That way when it comes time for you to pass along the piece, the person receiving it will know that it comes with love.
(Personally, I'd get it appraised at the very least and possibly insured, but that's just me.)
posted by sardonyx at 8:57 AM on April 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by sardonyx at 12:45 PM on April 5, 2011