Post # 1
Member
82 posts
Worker bee
I got my ring from an antique store but she couldn’t tell me much about it other than it was british made because it’s 9k gold.
Also I’m one for symmetry so I’m thinking of getting a ring guard/enhancer instead of one band. what do you think would look good. My grandmonther gave me her old wedding band it’s atleast 8mm thick so I’m thinking of getting some loose sky blue topaz stones and having a jeweler make me something! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Here is my ring.
Post # 3
Member
624 posts
Busy bee
It looks like a copy of Princess Diana’s ring – that style was very popular after her and Prince Charles got married in 1981. That ring was given to Kate Middleton last year and again that style has become very popular but in white gold rather than yellow gold, which is what makes me think it is early 1980s as white gold was not at all popular then.
It is a beautiful ring btw!!
Post # 4
Member
5117 posts
Bee Keeper
@Blackie: That’s what I was thinking. I’m no ring expert, but the lines of the ring and the tall prongs on the side view in yellow gold made me think of the mid-eighties.
Post # 6
Member
69 posts
Worker bee
@Stephaniemkenned: Does it just have 9k stamped on it and no hall mark? Only asking because my antique ring has 18k stamped in it, but nothing else because it was made pre modern hall marks. If it does have a hall mark then you should be able to find out more about it. I really wanted to know more about mine, but the only thing the jeweller could say was that looking at the style of it she thought it was made about 1900. I’ve included a picture because mine’s not dissimilar to yours.
Post # 7
Member
82 posts
Worker bee
@louonline: All mine says is M OPT 375k I know the 375k is the british hallmark for 9k. But that’s all I can find out about the hallmarks nothing about M or OTP.
Post # 8
Member
4712 posts
Honey bee
1980’s maybe even late 70’s
Post # 9
Member
624 posts
Busy bee
Hmm I am actually quitE worried about the 1970s being viewed as antique!! Lol
Post # 10
Member
5009 posts
Bee Keeper
Actually, that style has been popular since the 19th century. The thing that will date it is the hallmark.
Is it an upper-case M or lower case? There’s a chart on dating hallmarks on this page: http://www.thebigworld.co.uk/dating_english_hallmarks_silver_and_gold.htm
(Edited to add: M will signify the year but the actual year it means will depend on which city it’s from and what style of letter it is.)
Post # 12
Member
1456 posts
Bumble bee
I would also guess 1980’s or so as well.
Post # 14
Member
82 posts
Worker bee
Okay so I tracked down a magnifying glass, the hallmarks are 375 with an A in a square the M OPT must just be the makers initials. From what I found on the hallmark charts my ring seems to be circa 1936. Which is what the jeweller who sized it for me guessed, he said around 1930-1940s. Although I’m still going to take it to an expert because I’m fancinated by this stuff!
Post # 15
Member
5009 posts
Bee Keeper
@Stephaniemkenned: I’m a bit hallmark obsessed too. There is a world of information in a tiny little space.
Post # 16
Member
5949 posts
Bee Keeper
Looks Edwardian to me…they were bigon encrusting…lovely regardless!
