posted 06-03-2004 10:03 PM            

This is cheating a little, because this ring is gold, but it also has dangly silver rings as well - reminds me of a solje piece.

I know it is Swedish based on the three crowns, but the date mark is "S6".

Are there different date marks for gold?

I can't seem to find that info in any of my books. Also, while the ring tests higher than 18K, there is no gold or silver content stamp. Plus, I can't find anything close to the town mark

I am confused (not an uncommon state for me).

Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated!

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Nora
Megan McGee's

posted 06-04-2004 10:03 AM            

quote:

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Swedish Assay Office
SP Swedish National Testing and Research Institute

At the Swedish Assay Office, we analyze the precious metals gold, silver and platinum. Until 1988, hallmarking with the Cat's Paw, i.e. control and marking by a third party, was compulsory. Today it is up to the purchaser to know how to interpret the different marks.

When you find the Cat's Paw in the object you are buying - you can be sure that the precious metal content is correct and has been tested.

Cat's Paw

We also analyze the precious metal contents of raw materials, semi-manufactured products and goldsmiths scrap.

There are no common rules within the EU for analysis and hallmarking of precious metals. It is still uncertain if an agreement in this area can be reached.

The Convention on Control and Marking of precious metals (CCM) is an international convention with common rules for analysis and control marking of precious metal objects. An object which carries the specific mark is saleable in all of the member states: Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Great Britain, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland.

In 1995 2.1 million items were marked with the Cat's Paw with the total weight of 4.3 tons of gold, and 21 tons of silver!

We also distribute a magazine, TASS, as a source of information within the trade. The magazine is in Swedish and is published four times a year.

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My understanding of the date code is that the first series began in 1749 and repeated every 24 years or so, thus your ring is the sixth series - approximately 1910

The mixture of silver & gold might explain why the metal is not indicated.

Could this ring be a copy of an archaeological ring - it almost looks Sythian?

posted 06-04-2004 12:20 PM            

My eyes aren't what they used to be, I can't even begin to describe it, even with a loupe. I guess some of the detail has been lost with age.

As to being a copy of an ancient ring, I have no idea. I wondered if it perhaps has some symbolism or if it was a traditional design like solje brooches.

It really is a great looking piece, and rather showy - it is 3/4" wide north to south.

Thanks for your help!

Sincerely,

Nora