Does this look like gold to you?

[marjam]

I dug this ring years ago. It was covered in a crust of gunk, and I thought it was a junker for sure. I broke the cleaning supplies out with fine grit sandpaper, and after cleaning it, I am not sure if it's a junker or not. No marking inside, I could have sanded it off or who knows, it may not be anything, but I'm hoping it is obviously. It sort of looks copper, sort of gold, but this is what is underneath. I may take it to the local jeweler to have the metal tested, but it's an old signet ring I dug in an area where I have dug barbers, indian head cents, and v nickels.

 

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[Indian Steve]

Sorry to say but if it is gold , you should not have to sand it to find out. It is still a cool ring.

 

[pat-tekker-cat]

Can't really tell, could be plated, or...
I've found 9k & 10k rings real real old,
that there was some rust/deterioration in the other metals mixed in.

10k being only 485 (is it?) parts gold to 1000 parts "inert" metals.
Those "inert" metals can & will deteriorate, but the gold will remain.
Have the jeweler check to be sure.

 

[xr7ator]

10k is .416 or .417

Your ring looks to be gold plate over brass but have it checked to be sure.

 

[Joe-Dirt]

It could be a low karat or poorly smelted. I like it though

 

[marjam]

Thanks for the comments. I think I will have it looked at. I will let you all know if its gold or not.

 

[dave wiseman]

9 karat is not considered gold in the United States and cannot be sold as such.

 

[marjam]

9 karat is not considered gold in the United States and cannot be sold as such.

I wasnt aware of that. It was found at a very old site, so it could have came from across the pond if it turns out to be something like that, worn by a person that just came to America and was lost. If it turns out to be low grade gold, to me that would make it more interesting.

Thanks for the information.

 

[galenrog]

Based only on the images provided, I believe it is gold plated over a base metal, likely brass. A qualified professional familiar with plated and low karat jewelry can give you a definitive answer.

Time for more coffee.

 

[IDXMonster]

No matter what it really is,I can see that it’s pretty old! Nice find regardless...

 

[Digger RJ]

A ring is a ring!! Congrats!!!

 

[Tuberale]

Please keep all of us updated, Marjam.

 

[Brendan75]

Hi gold or not gold its still a nice old ring.

 

[ARC]

Rolled gold plated IMO.

 

[Trezurehunter]

It doesn't appear to be gold, but its still a nice ring.

 

[marjam]

Please keep all of us updated, Marjam.

I may go today on my lunch and get it checked out. I know from the pics it looks plated, but the shiny part of it was under all the gunk. I didnt get all the gunk off, so you see spots here and there of the crust that was on it, and if I got those off, the whole ring would be shiny. I dont think its plated for that reason, but I dont know what base metal it is either. Maybe copper, maybe brass, maybe gold. It looks a little dark to be gold, the shiny portions that have been exposed, but it wont hurt to have it checked. Who knows, I might get lucky.

 

[jeff of pa]

Can't really tell, could be plated, or...
I've found 9k & 10k rings real real old,
that there was some rust/deterioration in the other metals mixed in.

10k being only 485 (is it?) parts gold to 1000 parts "inert" metals.
Those "inert" metals can & will deteriorate, but the gold will remain.
Have the jeweler check to be sure.

I was going to say the Same.

I Found a Small 10K ring once, I Swore it was trash.
Turned out to be Real .
The apparent Mixture was probably the Issue.
But Chemicals in the Ground could also have done it.

But that looks Plated & peeled

 

[CASPER-2]

9 karat is not considered gold in the United States and cannot be sold as such.

9-karat gold contains 9 parts pure gold and 15 parts additional metals such as silver, tin, nickel, zinc, palladium,9k still has gold and I have sold to refineries in past - just so people don't get confused by your postIve also found and sold 8k jewelry https://owlcation.com/misc/Understanding-Gold-Purity

 

[marjam]

Well, it's not gold according to the acid test. I took it to my local jeweler, and he said it is most likely copper. Bummer, but at least I know for sure. Still a pretty cool find. I may get the map torch out and try to fix the break in the band and then polish it up the rest of the way.

Thanks for looking everyone...

 

[CASPER-2]

old 10k class ring - this had even more crust when found and rest cleaned off nicely with electrolysis