HELP I.D. Solid Gold Cross

[old man]

Can anyone tell me when they started stamping caret markings on gold ? I have a soft gold cross that was found on a beach with 10 pearls and a diamond in the middle. The piece looks spanish.

 

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[coinshooter]

I can't, but I'd sure like to see your find. Can you post a pic of it?

 

[old man]

Picture of Cross

Here's a picture of the front of the cross. This was found on a remote beach without the aid of a metal detector. Over 20 years ago, when I was in this area I was told of gold coins that washed up on the beach after a storm.

 

[blazen70]

Wow!! That is nice! 8) Have you ever beeen back to that same beach with a MD? -Robert-

 

[old man]

Robert, I haven't been back with a metal detector yet, but I do have one of my sons down there at another site. He should be checking out that remote beach in the next week or so. If he finds anything, I will post an update.

 

[Fred]

O M; That is a beautiful find. I really do wish your son and you the best of luck on your search. Fred

 

[Dave (Pa)]

OUTSTANDING!

 

[lab rat]

Wow! Take it to a jeweler and let us know what he says!

I have seen pictures of some of the older Spanish pieces with pearls, (look in the older Nat'l Geographic shipwreck issues) and usually the pearls are dissolved over time, so this piece may not be that old. Pearls are soft and may be ground down by shifting sand. Another indication of age is how the stone was cut. Diamonds are very hard and only within the last 50 years has the modern 'Brilliant' cut been perfected. A jeweler could tell you whether the stone is genuine, and might have some idea of when it was cut based on its form.

You asked when they put karat markings on gold-- that tradition was started by the Spanish for bullion bars at the assayer, who used Roman numerals to denote karat purity. This wasn't applied to jewelry until much later (late 1800's), when standard alloys began to replace pure gold which is very soft. That doesn't mean that karat markings always appear on gold-- even these days of mass production a few pieces make it out of the factory unstamped.

 

[old man]

Thanks for the advice. Sometime this week, when I'm not working, I will take it to a jeweler and get back to everyone.

 

[lab rat]

Thank you for that correction, Dell Winders. I wasn't aware of hallmarks applied to jewelry before 1850. Perhaps it was an English adaptation?

 

[david]

http://www.center4jewelrystudies.org/

The British Hallmarks date back to the 13th century. Current research indicates that the reasons for the hallmarks were to assist customs officials in preventing the export of precious metals from England. Gold and silver were struck with the same marks until 1798 when a karat marking was added for gold.

http://www.pamelaspearls.com/Hallmarks-British.html

 

[tac512ltd]

Good to see another ex-operator on the site. Sounds like you may be in Florida. I'm a member of Chapter 85, Special Forces Association out of Stuart Florida. If your'e not already, think of joining - good people.

 

[gemee]

Hmmmmm....did you take the picture down? I do not see a picture of the cross on my computer. WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

 

[old man]

I didn't take the picture down. I don't know who did.

 

[rockyredbaron]

WHERE'S THE PHOTO OF THE CROSS...CAN'T SEE IT !!!! PLEASE REPOST IT..THANX

 

[Gypsy Heart]

I dont see the picture of the cross either.......

 

[old man]

Sorry guys and girls, I gave the cross to a movie producer friend of mine in California. I'll contact him and see if I can get him to send me a picture to post.

 

[gemee]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, please do. A lot of us would love to see this treasure.

 

[Bugeater]

Found this pic in an old file is this the picture that you are looking for

 

[Bugeater]

One would need to know the approx area where it was found ( upper east coast, Florida etc) before you could start to find out more about it, also after a storm or heavy surf?