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Posted 8 months ago
valentino97
(110 items)
I've tried to research these lovely watch fobs and keep coming across the term "white metal". These don't tarnish and don't have any marks. They are very intricate so I think they are from 20's or 30's?
I found them in early 90's and paid about $20 each for them which I thought was a steal because they are SO gorgeous. Since then I've worn them as bracelets but also attached to an old sterling pin on a 40's jacket - a posh English look. So pretty - haven't come across any as intricate as these in all my travels. Your help please. Are they sterling?
Fine Jewelry BraceletsBracelets are the most carefree pieces of jewelry, an accessory for the wri…
this should help, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_metal if they were sterling, there would (should) be a stamp like .925 or .999 and maybe a makers mark of some kind.
White metal isnt necessarily silver - white metal could be aluminum, nickel, stainless steel, or even german silver (which isnt silver at all) or any "white metal". It is a reference term.
Thanks tommy and mustangtony for your comments. No there are no marks. If they are another metal like alum, nickel or stainless steel they sure are intricate and I love them.
I would surely check them for marks because they look like they would be silver. Some marks are very tiny and cannot even be seen with the naked eye and if you dont have a jeweler's loupe you may not even see them. If you know a nice jeweler, some of them are kind enough to tell you what you have for no fee. They may even be silver-plated if anything. Surely you have done a magnet test already.
Are the other side of the hearts the same design? I found an image for the tassels one which is advertised as Victorian silver.
Thanks for your info - no I don't know about magnet tests. Can you tell me more about this?
Yes the hearts etchings are same on both sides. These are really fine quality watch fobs - even the tassels are beautiful inside - no blank spaces. Thanks for your advice about chatting w/a jeweler. I have a loupe but I couldn't find a mark. I appreciate your advice and comments. Thank you!
Thank you so much for all this great info on my 2 lovely watch chains. The one w/hearts was made into a bracelet when I found it. I agree they must be nickel.
Victorian style necklaces with tassels were popular costume jewelry in the 70s, too.