Posted 6 years ago
Kjane79
(69 items)
I recently bought this vintage/antique camphor glass ring. It was listed as an Uncas, but the mark doesn't match any of Uncas marks from what I've seen. I've included a picture of the mark and an upside down picture of it as well in case I'm reading it wrong. There is no metal mark, but was told it is rhodium "base". When I asked what they meant by that, they said rhodium over a base metal. (It would have been way cooler if it was an actual rhodium base) By the style alone, I'd guess it was from the 30's or 40's. Anyway, not a lot of info on it, but hopefully someone has seen something similar. Thanks!
The Style is Art Deco, and it is beautiful !~
Sounds like their description of the "rhodium base" contradicts their claim of rhodium plating. It's either plated rhodium or rhodium plated "white gold", which is a misnomer. White gold isn't really gold, but a mixture of gold and another metal, like nickel, silver, or palladium. I'd go with rhodium plated. (Rhodium and palladium are both from the platinum family of metals.)
From what I've seen, Uncas' mark has the arrow pointing left, not right and has a simple "v" as the feather. This one has more detail. Another Uncas mark is two arrows pointing at the U from both sides. Maybe a copy ?
Nice ring.
"White gold isn't really gold" yeah, about that...
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I love camphor rings - almost as much as I love Mozarts' Elvira Madigan. But because I'm seeing one, and hearing the other it's a very difficult choice.
Thank you, PhilDMorris, it really is a pretty ring. RCassano, thanks for the love, and it's definitely plated. There are tiny areas you can see where it's wearing off. I've updated with a picture from the ad so you can see how the seller phrased it and why my initial confusion regarding the type of metal. I had never really considered someone copying or making a fake Uncas ring, but I guess anything that is collectable runs that risk. I would however argue that white gold is "really gold". 10k white gold contains the exact same amount of gold as 10k yellow gold. 14k white is = to 14k yellow...and on and on and on. The color is merely dependant upon which gold alloy is used, but regardless it's still gold. That being said, I'm thinking this ring is definitely not gold. I will get it tested, though, to be sure. And Gillian! I love Mozart's Piano Concerto #21 almost as much as I love the movie, Elvira Madigan! Sadly, I'm not listening to one or watching the other. I'm definitely adding them to to my queue, though! Thanks for the love Valentino97, nutsabotas6, Caperkid, TassieDevil!
Beautiful! And I once worked at Uncas Mfg. in North Providence, RI. I wonder if it was made there. Awesome!
First of all, it's probably not an Uncas - at least the mark doesn't match any shown for Uncas. It's similar, but different.
Secondly, one of my best friends is the premier jeweler in my area, and he advised that all gold is yellow. White gold is called that because the small amount of gold is mixed with another malleable metal, such as silver, zinc, or nickel in nearly equal amounts. Therefore, "white gold" is a descriptive term as it is not fully gold.
@RCassano, ask your friend to explain 18 Karat white gold to you, especially the percentages involved...
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RCassano, yes only 24 carats gold is yellow....
But you can tell your jeweller friend yellow, rose, green and white gold isn't PURE gold, but IS gold anyway in denomination 9, 14 or 18 carats...
Is 18k YELLOW gold real gold for him? (It is too a mixed alloy of gold with silver and copper!) ;-)
https://www.gold.org/about-gold/gold-jewellery
Kjane, your ring is lovely! Is it a diamond in the center ir a paste/crystal?
@TubeAmp, kyratango - perhaps there was something lost in the translation. When I see him next week, I'll get some clarification. He is the one who used the term "misnomer". You consult with a 40-year veteran jeweler, and you rely on his word. Maybe it's ME !!
By the way, I wish we had an edit feature. I realized I might have come off a bit terse, and for that I sincerely apologize. It's my law background - we tend to get to the point, and with conviction.
No offense taken here, RCassano. It just seems like a funny thing for a jeweler to say. But we all have our quirks and I'm sure someone who's dealt with gold jewelry from an industry standpoint probably has a different perspective than me as strictly a consumer. Kyratango, I assumed it was crystal based on the listing, but I probably should get out the loup and take a look since I also could have assumed it was rhodium 100% based on the listing. I really wish I knew the metal. It doesn't appear to contain any nickel because if it did, I'd swell up like a balloon. I can't even wear 10k white gold if it contains nickel. I guess I'll take it my jeweler next week and see what she thinks.
@RCassano - Kjane79 as the originator of the post, is the only one who can edit it.