St. Croix find, 40 off shore.

[digger460]

St. Croix find, 40' off shore.

Been a while since I've been here, but you've helped before so here we go.

First day of snorkeling on St. Croix, I had seen something on the bottom of the ocean in about 10 feet of water. Looked like a pile of gold glitter. Not something you normally see, so I went down and grabbed it. It is a 22 inch,Firago style man's necklace. The ends are marked 14kt Italy on one side, and another symbol/intials/? on the other side. These markings are on both ends of the necklace. The clasp which I understand was probably gold plated is tarnished with no markings, and the ring that holds the clasp is soldered which is my understanding that if soldered, then genuine.

What I know: If solid 14 kt, this piece should way approx. 19 grams. It does.
If genuine, should way around 19 grams. It does.
I should have the nitric acid test done.

My Question: Has anyone any information on the symbol/initials that is on the ends of the necklace? Was this necklace made before Italian Jewelers by law had to put manufacturer's mark's, hallmarks or other identifying marks on there jewelry so it could be tracked back to maker.

Thanks for your time....

 

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[NEPADIGGER7]

Looks good to me the clasp usually is always junk but looks like 14k great job!

 

[Digger]

Do a magnet test. I've found a lot of fake 14k Italy necklaces. Got a big speaker with a magnet? See if the clasp is slightly drawn to the speaker.

 

[The Urban Prospector]

You can clearly see the difference between the clasp and the rest of the necklace. There is no doubt that the chain is real. Look how beautiful it is!
Gz on a super gold find!
TFS and HH

 

[digger460]

Hi Digger,

Thanks for the reply. Yes I've done the magnet test, and it doesn't stick at all. But I've also read that non-metallic supstances can be used as fillers. Still looking to find out more info on that symbol tho.
Thanks

 

[redcobra8u]

My guess is plated unfortunately. I've found one just like that with the same corrosion.

 

[Brother Al]

My guess is plated unfortunately. I've found one just like that with the same corrosion.

I hate to agree, but, at the edges where the wear occurs it appears to be silver, which is not magnetic.

 

[against the wind]

Yep,, gold comes out,, the way it goes in. It will not tarnish.
Silver on the other hand will develop "Silver Oxides" and turn black.

 

[digger460]

Are we talking about the clasp and ring, or the actual chain too. Shadows on pictures of the chain. There is no tarnishing on the chain itself in person. Was that typical of gold plated clasps? Thanks

 

[ARC]

Suspect piece... Not too burst your bubble but these are #1 faked link out there.

Not real IMO.

 

[digger460]

Thanks AARC. So I as a final step I should probably take it to a jeweler to have tested? The chain. So they fake the solder on the ring attached to the clasp too. Oh well, it's all about the find.:-)

 

[Brother Al]

An acid test kit is available for about $14 with free shipping on ebay

 

[Sleepy]

Chain looks real to me. I would think the clasp was replaced at one time and for whatever reason it wasn't replaced with a solid 14kt one. There's enough small nicks in the chain that if it were fake it would be obvious from corrosion. To me real gold just has a look about it and in my opinion it has that "real gold" look. I hope it is.

 

[digger460]

Thanks to everyone that replied. Lot's of info, lots of possibilities.

If any one knows about the symbol or is it letter's on the end of the necklace, the opposite side from 14k Italy, or any good references to check for identification. I would really like to find out if it could have been made before Italian Jeweler's by law had to put maker's marks, purity of gold, etc.. That would make it fairly old anyway.

Thanks again all, and Happy Hunting..

 

[Trezurehunter]

Very nice gold.

 

[digger460]

Update on chain. The chain was solid 14kt.. Could have been anyone's mark. Thanks AARC.

Thanks everyone.

 

[CASPER-2]

DEFINITELY GOOD GOLD - from someone who has found over 1000 pieces of gold over the yrs
if that was junk or plate - it would be green or turning green
salt is harsh on fake and plated gold

 

[ARC]

So... good chain... bad clasp . ?

 

[ARC]

DEFINITELY GOOD GOLD - from someone who has found over 1000 pieces of gold over the yrs
if that was junk or plate - it would be green or turning green
salt is harsh on fake and plated gold

Depends on how long "in"... for green. IF a recent drop within a few days then no...

I find fake marked gold and silver all the time...
I have a zip lock bag full from last year and this year alone.