curious mark

I have just looked at a bracelet found by an aquaintance and she wanted to
know if it was "real". On first inspection it appears to be links of yellow
and white gold joined by links with nearly opaque blue facetted stones in
yellow gold. It seems solidly made and looks good for having been outdoors,
perhaps for the winter. Looked for the stamping and it read 925 with a
smaller unclear stamp below that. Am I looking at a plated silver bracelet?


Robert Merritt

Yes, you can conclude that a mark of 925 on a gold-color item means
that the piece is sterling silver with a plating of gold. It often
means that the item is vermeil, which is a very high gold-plating
standard. The blue stones may be sapphires, since many vermeil jewelry
items are set with genuine stones.

For example, Ross-Simons now has several vermeil designs that use real
ruby, emerald, and sapphire stones. The stones are not top quality, but
they are the real deal, nonetheless.

Beth Dennis
http://www.ANecessaryIndulgence.com

"robert merritt" wrote in message
...
I have just looked at a bracelet found by an aquaintance and she wanted to
know if it was "real". On first inspection it appears to be links of
yellow
and white gold joined by links with nearly opaque blue facetted stones in
yellow gold. It seems solidly made and looks good for having been
outdoors,
perhaps for the winter. Looked for the stamping and it read 925 with a
smaller unclear stamp below that. Am I looking at a plated silver
bracelet?

925 is usually the international standard mark for sterling silver.

--
William Black

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe
Barbeques on fire by chalets past the headland
I've watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off Newborough
All this will pass like ice-cream on the beach
Time for tea