Featured So I got this chain marked 14K ...

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by Bookahtoo, Aug 30, 2019.

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  1. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    This guy came into the store yesterday afternoon with a bag full of stuff. He is someone I met in the spring when he was doing a cleanout sale for a house he was flipping - I got those two cello bows, some Royal Copenhagen, etc. The stuff in the bag was the only stuff he had left from that house - he's already flipped two houses since then.
    So anyways, he had a few pieces of silver plate, some brass Dansk candle sticks, a couple of fountain pens and a few other things, including this chain. I looked at the chain but couldn't see a mark, figured it was fake silver.
    I gave him $15 - I figured the Dansk was worth that.
    So I got the stuff home and found a 14K mark on the chain. No other mark I can find. I think it's pretty old.
    My question - what do you think? Is it real? It weighs 15.7 grams.
    Which leads to another question - why do people pay more than scrap on ebay for chains like this? Assuming it's gold, should I do an auction or a BIN?

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    Bookahtoo, Aug 30, 2019
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  2. Houseful

    Houseful Well-Known Member

    There was a thread about the age of lobster claw clasps started by cxgirl in January 2019 I think. I can’t seem to copy and paste it.
     
    Houseful, Aug 30, 2019
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  3. Sandra

    Sandra Well-Known Member

    The style of chain is Figaro. I would have the chain tested for gold, there were a lot of chains with this same style end tabs marked "Italy" and fraudulently marked for gold.
     
    Sandra, Aug 30, 2019
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  4. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    Figaro chains were popular mid-70s - 80s. The finding the lobster claw hooks into is one I've seen mainly on pieces made in Italy.
     
    Bronwen, Aug 30, 2019
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  5. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Sandra - I was hoping someone wouldn't say that. :( But okay - I'll do it if I have to.

    Bronwen - I was surprised this wasn't marked Italy. The 14K is pretty faint - should I look harder for Italy?
     
    Bookahtoo, Aug 30, 2019
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  6. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    It never hurts to look harder. :) However, in my experience it's typically pretty conspicuous. Afraid not seeing it makes verifying what it really is even more called for. I did not know fakes were common. Given what a status symbol they were, shouldn't be surprised. :(
     
    Bronwen, Aug 30, 2019
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  7. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    why do people pay more than scrap
    because if it's really gold...u can sell the chain for more than scrap cuz folks still wear em....
     
    komokwa, Aug 30, 2019
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  8. janettekay

    janettekay Well-Known Member

    I love Figaro link chains. My original one was lost years ago, and the one I got to replace it..just isn't the same. Just feels different--weird..I know.
    PS--if it is the right length..I would be interested in it..;)
     
    janettekay, Aug 30, 2019
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  9. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    See !!! :happy:

    I too wore one in the late 70's...given to me by my gal at the time !
     
    komokwa, Aug 30, 2019
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  10. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Janettekay - it's 24".
     
    Bookahtoo, Aug 30, 2019
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  11. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    KikoBlueEyes, Aug 30, 2019
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  12. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Thanks kiko.
     
    Bookahtoo, Aug 30, 2019
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  13. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    I'd have it tested; I've seen a fair number of chains marked that way and they've ALL been phonier than the proverbial three dollar bill. If the clasp isn't marked, it's a bad bad bad sign.
     
    evelyb30, Aug 30, 2019
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  14. janettekay

    janettekay Well-Known Member

    :D:D:D Nice......................
     
    janettekay, Aug 30, 2019
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  15. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    good point , I've got that clasp....marked 14k.....so should this one be..
    gotta test it..
     
    komokwa, Aug 31, 2019
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  16. janettekay

    janettekay Well-Known Member

    Got me thinking...just checked my figaro..ends marked "14kt NIE"..no Italy. ????
    Since I bought this from my long time jeweler..I am sure it is legit.
     
    janettekay, Aug 31, 2019
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  17. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    That sounds like the real thing; it's not a mark that's well known enough to bother faking.
     
    evelyb30, Aug 31, 2019
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  18. KSW

    KSW Well-Known Member

    KSW, Sep 1, 2019
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  19. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    :) I may not know anything about jewelry, but I have a great computer.
     
    KikoBlueEyes, Sep 1, 2019
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  20. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    A friend of mine brought it to his jeweler - it i fake. :(

    Thanks for all of your interest, help, and discussion about it!
     
    Bookahtoo, Sep 2, 2019
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