Jewelry Antiques of the 20th Century

Sapphire Ring Hallmarking Question: I have a sapphire and diamond white gold ring with stamps galore that puzzle me:

Rubies & Sapphires (Fred Ward Gem Book Series)

Price: US$14.20

First a Single lightly stamped Z with no borders.

The Z is followed by a substantial space and then a series of hallmarks:

W.E.G. (square border); then all with clipped corners on the squares, a crown, 750, anchor, and what looks like a date stamp that I cannot read.

Following all that is lightly stamped (without borders) K3474.

Now if you flip the ring over it is stamped 18CT.

Other than the fact that this piece has British hallmarks with the Birmingham Assay office, can you tell me more?

Answer: G’day Jean and many thanks for your query and your patience. Due to the recent storms here in Australia, our telephone lines have been down for several days preventing us getting online.

The ‘Z’ has nothing to do with your Full UK Hallmarks from Britain, but unfortunately I don’t know where you live or where the jewelry was purchased. It could be a design identification or style mark, as is the K3474 on the end.

These marks have nothing to do with ‘hallmarks’ as listed, but are simply there for identification to the Shop, Maker or designer and have NO relevance as to value either - so we can ignore them.

The W.E.G. is the Maker or Store identification mark. In the UK the marks H.S&S are for H. Samuel and Sons - so you get the idea.

The Crown is the quality or guarantee mark - in this case showing 18ct gold with the 750 mark, which is the International mark in parts per thousands of pure gold.

The important mark is the one you have missed out - the date stamp.

Try using an old toothbrush to clean inside the ring. This usually helps in reading the marks. Warm Soapy water is okay if you can’t see the marks after trying a Dry Brush.