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Info about gold item please
- Thread starter brianc577
- Start date
Larry (IL)
Well-known member
I would agree, a watch bezel and the # looks like the serial number of the watch.
JamesBondaka
Active member
no question about it.....too bad its not gold
JamesBondaka
Active member
I think I see rust in various areas and of course that would not be gold. I could be wrong ....list some more pics or ....get it tested.
Larry (IL)
Well-known member
I think that is called gold plated, you can see the base metal which is corroding. Solid gold will come out of the ground looking just like it did when lost.
Basically friend that's what makes Gold - Gold . It doesn't tarnish and keeps shining , no bleeding or off colors , period ... maybe unbuffed heat marks if it was a re sized ring because I have seen that and what I see is were the Gold plate has flaked off and the base metal has tarnished . A simple light scrub with a toothbrush and it's look like the day it was lost , if it was Gold . And all I see is a serial number and no hallmarks or 9 K - 10 K or 14 K or 18 K ... if it Gold it would be marked ... if you think it's Gold then test it or have it tested ... by your picture it's not Gold ... IMHO as well , Woodstock
brianc577 said:
JamesBondaka
Active member
I must change my statements a bit....
First, I don't think its gold by the pics submitted but its hard to tell if some the "discoloration" is rust or just dirt. Or, it is possible that another non gold item was against this watch case and iit left non gold residue upon the watch case.
Second, usually as Woodstock said, it would be marked but not in all cases, especially if it was hand made.
Third, it is also possible the we are looking the non gold remains of the hinge on the watch case which don't have to be gold as they are much stronger than the gold ones ....and cheaper too.
Some more pics would help our theories
First, I don't think its gold by the pics submitted but its hard to tell if some the "discoloration" is rust or just dirt. Or, it is possible that another non gold item was against this watch case and iit left non gold residue upon the watch case.
Second, usually as Woodstock said, it would be marked but not in all cases, especially if it was hand made.
Third, it is also possible the we are looking the non gold remains of the hinge on the watch case which don't have to be gold as they are much stronger than the gold ones ....and cheaper too.
Some more pics would help our theories
I have to agree that other transferable and rusted parts can stain the Gold but are easy to clean off before taking the picture. In most cases that I've seen if it's Gold it will be at the very least hallmarked somewhere near the serial numbers and has been done to insure the purity of said metals and also if it has a serial number or part number it not from a period when it didn't need a hallmark, that wouldn't be a watch cause in that case it would be a sun dial..And keep in mind that all pocket watches that old are handmade and there were a number of items like rings and watches stamped 14K (example) that were plated and sold to unknowing buyers as solid 14K . It also could be Gold filled
So if you can't find a hallmark or something in the numbers have it tested . Don't forget to test both the stone where the rubbed (and really rub it hard to break through the plate) and I'd even test the area on the part where the rubbing was removed , it's the best way to make a determination and it won't hurt the piece seeing as it's going to be scrap anyways . Precious metal test kits are fairly cheap on line . IMHO
Woodstock
So if you can't find a hallmark or something in the numbers have it tested . Don't forget to test both the stone where the rubbed (and really rub it hard to break through the plate) and I'd even test the area on the part where the rubbing was removed , it's the best way to make a determination and it won't hurt the piece seeing as it's going to be scrap anyways . Precious metal test kits are fairly cheap on line . IMHO
Woodstock
JamesBondaka
Active member
Pocket watches can be the trickest to test.....gold plated, gold filled, rolled gold among other names are used to "elude" the statement of non gold. Sometimes the gold in so thick on the cases of some pocket watches that even filing into them somewhat and tested with acid will STILL hide the fact that they are not solid gold. Using a stone it risky. Sometimes, you have to file very deep OR even drill thru the case in order to get to the true center of the pocket watch.
I know of very knowledgeable dealer that keeps about 6 non gold watches that he bought as gold ....on his desk to remind himself that he was fooled several times even when he did some testing AND some were stamped.
I know of very knowledgeable dealer that keeps about 6 non gold watches that he bought as gold ....on his desk to remind himself that he was fooled several times even when he did some testing AND some were stamped.