Hunt # 76 - Heart Palpitations

[MadPixelPusher]

Awoke early, arrived at my favorite hunting grounds just before the first light of day. Powered up and began meandering about. A light drizzle of rain began beating upon my back as I ventured towards the towel line. I start my systematic habit of slow and methodical sand scrubbing. I begin walking backwards to smooth out a rugged patch of sand and then I get an ever so slight tone. Unable to pass it up, I scoop and scoop and scoop. A sweep of the coil confirms I got the target. At first glance nothing. Casually, I pull out my flashlight and peer into the scoop. Wedged between the scoop wall and my magnet...a ring! I retrieve it and there, squinting at it I perceive markings on the inner band, makers marks? A large square diamond on top? Heart palpitations. Could it be real? Could I be so lucky, finally? I tuck it in my pocket. Tried to forget and continue the hunt. Mere minutes pass. The presence of the ring gnawing away at me. Damn. So much for this hunt. Back to the car and headed home at a much quicker pace than usual (to say the least). Get inside, whip out the ring, look at it under magnification and bam.


The dreaded THAI mark. Thailand. Further inspection reveals what appears to be a 925 mark in one spot and a AI stamp in another. I know AI stamps on silverware are indicative of silver plate but the 925 stamp bewilders me. Severe wear on the outer parts of the ring suggest plating. A vexing problem. Only a diamond tester will tell if the stone is truly real. Blasted hobby, now I'll have to spend money to determine if it is indeed real. Then again, either way I will get a new toy out of all of this...muhahaha!



As always, may you have a plentiful hunt with a plethora of significant acquisitions !

 

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[Les West Central Fl]

Lot of people see silver rings and automatically believe that stones on it are not diamonds. Believe it or not, some people can not wear gold. It gives them a rash in the area of wear. I have several friends that wear silver only and they do have nice diamonds on their rings.

 

[AC1955]

Great narrative! Great ring as well. Pretty thing even if it turns out to be a faker.

HH,
Anita

 

[lorraine]

That's a nice looking ring, MPP!

Hope it turns out well for you.

Nice post & pics!

Lorraine

 

[search and recovery]

Great story. Nice looking ring. As Grave Digger Max would say, that is called a nitro bomb. It will stop you in your tracks, real or not.

 

[detectahead]

I agree that it "gnaws" at you to know what it is, a pesky feeling! WTG on listening for those soft incoherent sounds, the best ones! Congrats, hope it turns out well

 

[CASPER-2]

dont have to spend any money - just walk into any jewelry store - most will check it for free

 

[CASPER-2]

I have friends whose mothers are alergic to gold and have all their diamonds mounted in silver and I have found silver with real diamonds
so always check them

 

[seeker41]

............. "but the 925 stamp bewilders me."

common marking on silver jewelry!! .925 and i have found many silver items with real stones.

 

[NYwaterhunter]

I havn't found any 925 w/ real stones, but I also know folks who do have real stones in 925. (like said previous..... Alergy problem)
Still a nice ring Mad Pixel

 

[dougofpa]

Can't you take it to a local jewelery store and ask them to test it....I'm sure once you pull that beauty out....everyone in the store will want to know

 

[MadPixelPusher]

............. "but the 925 stamp bewilders me."

common marking on silver jewelry!! .925 and i have found many silver items with real stones.

AI stamp means silver plate, not sterling silver as the .925 mark suggests. But then, in flatware articles (only), a quality mark of A.I. applied indicates silver of a minimum .925 quality used as primary plating, hence my confusion. In conclusion, the stones are fake and the evidence of plating was most probably a flashing of rhodium applied as a protective finish to enhance the reflectivity of the silver and for resistance to corrosion and tarnish. Maybe next time...