Dating jewellery

[Marion_C]

Good evening 

Does anyone have any useful tips for dating jewellery, or know of any good websites that might help?  The piece in question is a twist ring which I believe is late Victorian, though I'm not 100% sure.

Thanks for any help,

Marion

[hepburn]

Are there any Hallmarks?

[Marion_C]

Hi Hepburn, there is a hallmark which I think (through much squinting) says 18ct.  Nothing else, so I don't know whether that will help at all... it has a light blue central sapphire with 2 small diamonds on each side.  The gold setting is indented where it curves round the gems. 

Marion

[willow154]

Hi Marion,
There are a few sites listed here, which might help you:
http://antiques.about.com/od/victorianandedwardian/Victorian_and_Edwardian_Jewelry.htm
Good luck.
Paulene

[hepburn]

I don't think it's English which is a shame, you could have dated it from the  "date letter"where it was assayed and makers initials which would have been a great help...

[Marion_C]

Hepburn, that's actually very interesting as the woman I believe the ring originally belonged to travelled outside the UK with her family during the late 1870s/early 1880s.  I have been wondering where they went and the ring might be able to shed some light - assuming it is indeed from the relevant period!  I'm sure it was heard of to buy foreign rings in England at that time, but I'd love to think that this ring could be the key to discovering where my ancestors went on their travels.

A thought - do you think it could be Scottish?  If so that would implode my line of thinking as they were a Scottish family!!

Willow, many thanks for the links... I think I'll try to find a jeweller for some more info... hopefully they won't charge too much!

[hepburn]

Scotland had their Hallmarks as well as Ireland,I'm not to sure about Wales.......
Try a small Jewellry shop one which has a good display of second hand gold.

[seekernz]

 A very informative site.  Antique jewellery university.

http://www.langantiques.com/university/Category:Victorian_Jewelry

 in the absence of detailed hallmarks the style of faceting in the gems gives a historical hint, your grannies diamond lacks the dazzle of todays gems because the cutters developed a new pattern of facets to reflect more light through the top surface , same gem but more bang for your bucks!.

[Skoosh]

I would take it into an auctioneers who will also give you an estimate of the value, gold isn't as well marked as silver & you're under no obligation to sell the item.

Skoosh.