Hallmark/Makers Mark Identification

Hi all, Im trying to find out some information about a pendant of my late Grandmother. It's believed to be Italian made, with diamonds set in to a 14ct gold pendant with chain.

I have found a mark (photo) that I believe reads 'MS'. With some research, I've found that this could represent Massa-Carrara, Tuscany, suggesting the area it was made.

Is anybody familiar with this marking or can advise further?

Thanks

 

My initial impression is that it may be MK rather than MS. I also believe it's a maker's mark, not an Italian province code.
It is curious that the chain is marked ITALY 14Kt, but the bale of the pendant is marked with the maker's mark and 14K (not Kt). It seems to indicate that they did not start life together, which means the pendant may not be Italian-made.
Hopefully, someone here will have more info to offer you.

 

Thanks for your response. I can see now that the mark may well be 'MK'. I appreciate your observations and input.

 

Are the backs of the stones covered? Or just really grimy?

 

The back of the stones are open

 

Agree, it is a maker's mark, but I do read MS.
Italian province codes are never script, and are usually marked in a cartouche together with a star and the fineness.

I agree, the chain and pendant didn't start life together, and only the chain is Italian. The pendant is likely to have been made in the US.
Pendants are put on random chains all the time, so it isn't a problem value-wise. These two are the same fineness, so that is good.

 

Thanks for your input, can I ask what makes you believe the pendant is US made? Also the assumption of the piece being Italian is based on my Grandmother being born in Southern Italy, but I understand that the pendant may have been assumed to be Italian, based on the the wording from the chain (which now I understand are likely unrelated).

 

The 14K mark is generally used in the US, but not exclusively. Did your grandmother travel?
Italian gold marks of this period have a star, followed by the millessimal fineness and a province code, all together in a cartouche.
The millessimal fineness of your pendant is .585, so you would see 585 in the mark instead of 14K.
The mark on the chain says Italy and 14Kt (with a t), which is how Italian chains were marked for export.

 

Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge on this, it's much appreciated. My Grandmother did travel, I'm aware she visited both Florida and Toronto on multiple osscasions visiting family. So it is likely she acquired this in the US or Canada.

 

A couple other markings from the chain

 

So it could be a pretty souvenir of her travels.

V.O. would be the maker of the chain. The lobster clasp means it was bought in the 1980s or later.
The style of the pendant is also fairly recent.

 

Thanks again for the insight. Do you think it's worth getting professionally valued?

 

Could it be MJ?

 

MS
MK
MJ
M5

It could be any of these. Google Lens doesn't know quite what to make of it either.

 

Hm. I’ve seen Chinese made chains and such with Italy and supposed karat marks.

 

Italian 'random' marks, so without proper assay marks, can be iffy too. If I wanted to know, I would have it tested.

 

The diamonds have been tested by a local jeweller. Which have been confirmed as genuine. As for the chain, this is something I'll certainly get tested and report back.