Yellow stuff. Wax Seal Antique Ring and Masonic Locket

DFW_THer

DFW_THer

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Feb 20, 2008
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So I picked these at a garage sale a couple weeks back. I couldn't see a mark on either piece, but they just looked right and I couldn't let them swim away, so we settled on a twenty dollar bill per piece. I ended up finding a tiny 14C on the locket, so that was good. The wax seal ring tested at least 14K and it is just gorgeous! The pictures don't do it a lot justice. The message around the band is Italian and translates, "An antique and gift from the Baron Stephanis". Can anyone help date the ring by looking at the swivel hardware/soldering? Is it possible that the wax seal is actually far older than the ring? Ancient Greek...? Doubt it, but it's fun to ponder.

Thanks for looking, and for any insights you may have.

HP! (Happy Picking)












 

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I would go melt some wax and get a positive impression of the ring. It might make identification easier. If you need some wax, I have some specifically for seals. I'll happily send you a piece if you want to try it
 

Holy friggin shiznat.

Um... that ring... BANNER ! ! !
 

MAn o man...

That ring is a stellar find.

Where did you find that ?
 

IMO... that solder is a repair.
 

And... BTW... this is IMO NOT a "seal".

This is a cameo ring.
 

You hit a homerun... bases loaded.

You need to have that gold tested for positive karat... this will tell / give a better idea to its age.

Higher the karat... generally... the older it is.

IF 14k... then an Art Nuevo era reproduction. IMO
 

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Thanks doubleARC. Yard sale, in a bag with with the locket and two pocket watches. (Not precious, but nice early 20th century Waltham and Seth Thomas)

I did an inconspicuous acid test on the underside of the cameo, and got an easy 14K pass. I don't remember if I tested higher. I should have. Looks like it has a hairline crack in the gold in the band, I'll have to take a photo later.

So, a cameo ring--not a wax seal/stamp at all? The motif is indented, like a wax seal, not protruding like a cameo... Is it possible that the cameo or seal is ancient, then turned into a ring? Is it possible that the entire ring is ancient, with the Italian added when it was gifted? Was the cameo always set in the gold/top portion, and then turned into a ring? I have so many questions... haha

It came out of the same estate as the coins and flatware in my other thread.
 

Could be.

After all... anything is possible.
 

" The message around the band is Italian and translates, "An antique and gift from the Baron Stephanis"."

This would suggest to me that the seal(?) was much older when taken and made into a ring. Have done a little searching for Baron Stephanis with no results, so unfortunately, probably not a famous person in history. But I'm with AARC here, that it appears to be an amazing find!! Can't wait to find out what the final purity tests out at! ...Is there any way to get an ID on the type of material on the insert that is non-destructive?

....Just a passing thought, but is there a chance that this could have come from WWII, back during the German occupation of Italy? It might have been a secret...like a pass key or something, as well. Probably not, but is great to think about! :thumbsup:


Nah, the Germans might have taken just for the gold. Wouldn't have been practical.
 

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I'm no expert but I do estimate 17th century! Killer find! Oh too bad someone did a real hatchet job on it when they repaired it
 

JimDon said:
I'm no expert but I do estimate 17th century! Killer find! Oh too bad someone did a real hatchet job on it when they repaired it
Click to expand...

I don't think it isn't anything that couldn't fixed... correctly this time. Depends on if it's valuable enough to have done.
 

EDIT...
I apologize...

I stated earlier that it was a "cameo" ring...

I take that back... I meant... "Intaglio"... which IS what it is IMO.
 

You're finds are absolutely great. I would love that ring! I want to wear it argh! My bet is that it really is old, however, they have been made up into the modern times as well, best to go to a jeweler to have it checked out or email this person Maejean Vintage she knows a ton. Maybe able to help?
 

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I've been hot for a couple weeks. Hot enough to share. :D

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