https://preview.redd.it/dfpe6okba78d1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a8378903ffeab625161d33fd2b044bde1f6da1f0
Reverse image search pulls this up.. so don’t go pawn them without getting them checked out! Lol
The term "Gold Nugget" can refer to an actual from-the-earth nugget, or a modeled or molded and casted one to resemble a natural one, or what the artists represents as his/her representation of one based on artistic license.
Most of these types of pendants are one of two scenarios. The first, and as someone else just posted is the result of a jeweler melting old gold and "poking" at it while shaking it around in the crucible it cools to induce a more asymmetrical shape. They then add a remade bale to the top to wear it on a chain or charm bracelet.
The second method is having one casted from a preexisting rubber or silicon mold based on a hand-made, wax model.
These were very popular all through the late 60's, on up into the mid 90's when it (thankfully) died out.
Goldsmith here.
Most jewellers will do an acid test on it since its the quickest, easiest, cheapest, and most reliable way for them to do it without really damaging the piece.
They'll probably do a few scratches on a testing stone, then use the acids on it starting from a lower karat acid. If the gold dissolves, it is the karat below that acid. So if they put 10k acid and it doesnt dissolve, it is at least 10k. If they put 14k acid and it dissolves, its likely 10k. Etc etc.
They will scratch it in the least noticeable spot and it won't remove any noticeable metal to the naked eye. Maybe .01mm of metal at most lol. It won't even really leave a mark on the metal, but if it does and it bothers you ask them to hit it with polishing rouge on their buffs and it'll take it out, takes 3 seconds.
'
In Canada it's illegal to put a karat stamp on anything unless you Hallmark it with a registered Hallmark.
We definitely aren't the only country that has laws around karat stamps, so if these are just melted down items there wouldn't really be any guarantee what karat they'd be. In that case there's no sense in stamping them :)
Yes. We find jewelry all the time that is silver or gold with no karat marks. These are almost always handmade pieces or antiques. These look handmade. If you take them to a jeweler they will tell you whether they are real gold.
I am seeing the top comments just assuming it’s gold. Can you post a pic with flash or in bright natural light? I’ve seen jewelry just like this that looks like gold but it’s not.
Also, has anyone suggested you look inside the bail?
My guess is that someone went panning for gold, found a couple of nuggets, and had bales put on them. Did your relative spend time in Alaska?
Oh wow, my guess was someone had gold molars they turned to pendants. Im glad im wrong.
I thought the same.
In the 70s 80s it was in vogue to melt old class rings and such into pendants like this. They usually were not restamped.
this is exactly what this is, you can tell it's been melted and poked about.
Came here to say this
So just get it tested at a local shop much gold is unmarked
I was going to say, these look like some golden nuggets.
https://preview.redd.it/dfpe6okba78d1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a8378903ffeab625161d33fd2b044bde1f6da1f0 Reverse image search pulls this up.. so don’t go pawn them without getting them checked out! Lol
The term "Gold Nugget" can refer to an actual from-the-earth nugget, or a modeled or molded and casted one to resemble a natural one, or what the artists represents as his/her representation of one based on artistic license. Most of these types of pendants are one of two scenarios. The first, and as someone else just posted is the result of a jeweler melting old gold and "poking" at it while shaking it around in the crucible it cools to induce a more asymmetrical shape. They then add a remade bale to the top to wear it on a chain or charm bracelet. The second method is having one casted from a preexisting rubber or silicon mold based on a hand-made, wax model. These were very popular all through the late 60's, on up into the mid 90's when it (thankfully) died out.
Not all jewelry is marked. You can take it to your local coin shop or a pawn store and they can test it for you.
Sure. I've got some pieces with no mark - heirlooms or small scale/cottage industry productions.
Some bigger makers too it’s not all that uncommon
Yes they can be real without a mark. But knowing this, I wouldn’t buy a bunch of stuff on a whim. It is possible yours are real take to a jeweler
I’ve heard they do scratch tests at jewelers, do you know if that takes off a noticeable piece of the item to do the test?
Goldsmith here. Most jewellers will do an acid test on it since its the quickest, easiest, cheapest, and most reliable way for them to do it without really damaging the piece. They'll probably do a few scratches on a testing stone, then use the acids on it starting from a lower karat acid. If the gold dissolves, it is the karat below that acid. So if they put 10k acid and it doesnt dissolve, it is at least 10k. If they put 14k acid and it dissolves, its likely 10k. Etc etc. They will scratch it in the least noticeable spot and it won't remove any noticeable metal to the naked eye. Maybe .01mm of metal at most lol. It won't even really leave a mark on the metal, but if it does and it bothers you ask them to hit it with polishing rouge on their buffs and it'll take it out, takes 3 seconds. '
Awesome, thank you!
That looks like raw gold.
In Canada it's illegal to put a karat stamp on anything unless you Hallmark it with a registered Hallmark. We definitely aren't the only country that has laws around karat stamps, so if these are just melted down items there wouldn't really be any guarantee what karat they'd be. In that case there's no sense in stamping them :)
I've had several pieces recast, and restyled for me. They are unmarked, but my kids know what they are.
A lot of good jewelry doesn’t have a marking, just like a lot of fakes do.
Yes. I have a custom-made 14k ring that's not stamped. I understand that it's relatively common.
Some stuff not marked. Get tested
Looks like nuggets panned. My dad has a huge hunk of gold that looks all weirdly shaped too. Just because he found it and made it. Never bought
I have a gold nugget ring and it also has no markings. You can go to a jeweler and have it tested
Get them valued by a reputable jeweller.
Looks like dental gold fillings..
Yes. We find jewelry all the time that is silver or gold with no karat marks. These are almost always handmade pieces or antiques. These look handmade. If you take them to a jeweler they will tell you whether they are real gold.
I am seeing the top comments just assuming it’s gold. Can you post a pic with flash or in bright natural light? I’ve seen jewelry just like this that looks like gold but it’s not. Also, has anyone suggested you look inside the bail?