Looks to me to be a 14k gold wedding band.? For those who aren't familiar with the mark, '14k' means 14/24 purity by weight, or .583% pure gold.? (Pure gold would be 24k)? If your ring weighs 5 grams, you have about 2.9 grams of pure gold, regardless of what the alloying metal is.? Typically, white gold is made by mixing the pure gold with nickel, though some other metals might also be used.? Gold is usually marked '10k','417','14k','583',18k,'750' to indicate purity.? British gold can be 9k, and some Mexican gold can be 8k.? In order to be sold as 'solid gold' in the United States it has to be at least 10k because the density of 10k gold is higher than lead, and you can prove the value using the density test. Likewise in China and some other oriental countries, it has to be at least 21k or they don't think its pure enough. 24k is rarely used because it is too soft, and gets marred very easily.
Just because a band is marked '14k' does not mean it is real gold-- I have a brass ring stamped '14k' (see my previous postings).? You can confirm it by doing a density test (also in another post), or a jeweler could confirm it by using acid.? I also look at the quality of the pattern, and with a stamp like 'Bulard' or some other traceable company name (artcarved is fairly common) you likely have a gold ring.? I don't think anyone would put their company name on something that was brass, or someone would later come back to them and demand a refund!
Also, silver is typically marked '925' or 'sterling', meaning .925% pure silver by weight.
Congratulations on your find!
I know for a fact that the original buyer paid at least $800 for it. And I still like to wear it on occaision.
