Finding any gold is exciting, especially if you can find a hidden treasure at a yard sale. But how do you know if it is antique gold? The market is full of reprints and fakes, which can easily deceive the untrained eye.
Here is what to help you master the art of recognizing authentic antique treasures!
Understand the Meaning of "Antique"
Jewelry is antique when it is over one hundred years old. Another way to tell is by knowing the era it was made in, like the Victorian period, the Art Nouveau period, and the Art Deco period, each of which used different crafting techniques, serving as tells for the gold’s age.
Recognizing Hallmarks
- Gold Purity Marks: Authentic antique jewelry bears marks indicating the purity of the gold, like '10K', '14K', and '18K'. These can also indicate the age and the region where this piece was made.
- Maker's Marks: Quite often, an antique piece of jewelry will have a maker's mark, the signature or logo of the manufacturer. This small mark can provide information about the origin of the piece.
- Date Letters and Assay Marks: Jewelry items in many countries, especially in Europe, were stamped with date letters indicating the year and location of where the gold was tested. Identifying such marks helps with the determination of authenticity and the exact year these pieces were made.
Look For Wear and Patina
An authentic antique will have to be worn appropriate to its age. Sometimes, a newly made piece will be in over-pristine condition. This is a dead giveaway it is newly made and artificially aged or restored in a way to disqualify it as an antique. The gold should also have a natural, even patina without signs of being aged intentionally.
Study the Craftsmanship
The craftsmanship of a piece can also tell a lot about its authenticity. With antique jewelry, the pieces are handmade, with details too intricate to be machined. Look for unevenness or minor symmetrical imperfections using a jeweler's loupe or magnifying glass. Replicas made today will not have this kind of detailed work, or it will look too perfect.
Consult an Expert
If there is still some doubt about the piece's authenticity, you can take it to the antique gold pros at professional Judy's Jewelry. We have years of experience and all the tools to date and verify any piece you have in your collection.
Stop by and pay us a visit at our store in Fort Myers. We can help with identification, buy any gold or jewelry, or help you find a new favorite piece for your collection.
