We remodel antique jewellery, we remodel antique jewellery, we repair antique jewellery. In short, we know antique jewellery quite well whether it is raising the setting on an old ring, fixing broken earrings or enabling a ring shank to slip over a large knuckle.
I'm very lucky, I work with master goldsmiths who were trained by master goldsmiths themselves, and they all began their apprenticeships in the same way, antique jewellery repairs. Which means that they can tell the history of a piece just from the way it has been put together.
I don't buy and sell old jewellery. I'm not a goldsmith, and I haven't trained in it. That might not stop me, because there are a lot of businesses out there that clearly haven't trained either - but I personally feel that it is dishonest to sell a piece of jewellery that isn't what it is described as being.
I've written another article here about what you can do, if you are in the unfortunate position of having purchased an item of jewellery that is not as described. A lot of jewellers negate this by labelling the jewellery 'sold as seen'. However, when this comes to diamonds, or metal finesse, as most of use don't have the testing equipment there are still ways to manage this with trading standards. I just thought I'd share a few horror story examples here of things that weren't as described.
Antique Jewellery Horror Stories
- This is a great one, lady buys an 18kt gold Victorian signet ring - it's very large and feels heavy. It is a size Z and requires to be resized to a T for the finger she wants to wear it on. When it is taken in for sizing it's found to be silver and the gold plate bubbles away near the weld site. The biggest indicator here that something is wrong is the lack of hallmark (indeed of any marks) on the interior. In addition, the weight of the ring feels wrong. Gold is nearly 40% heavier than silver. What is the worst thing here? She paid £6,000.. Fortunately as it was a recent purchase, the dealer is going to remedy it.
- I'd had an enquiry relating to a 1950s diamond and onyx ring and making it fit. Unfortunately when I check the ring, turned out that several of the 'diamonds' were actually white sapphires. This has happened a couple of times as I had a diamond pendant where a couple of the stones turned out to be sapphire. This was a common practice, especially where people couldn't afford to replace diamonds, however a store should test and declare.
- Client was sold a platinum engagement ring for £9,000. Turned out that most of the setting was white gold on a platinum hallmarked shank. Retailer tried to deny all responsibility, but happily the credit card company got involved as it was discovered within 12 months of purchase.
- Client ring on separate blog, was sold to her husband as 1910 Edwardian. The stone setting was likely Edwardian, it had been attached to a setting most likely done in the 1980s. The larger diamonds weren't original either.
- The 1950s 'British Made' diamond scroll earrings were made in the 1980s in the Far East..
- The vintage engagement ring from the local antique shop was H Samuel..