Antique gold pin from estate sale - ruby or garnet?

Just a thought. At only 10 kt, I think a garnet would have been an appropriately modestly-priced stone, as opposed to rubies or such. If you can see jewel-imperfections in it, then it's not glass, right?

 

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh... and I'm sure there re grades if rubies, top-dollar to inexpensive.
Back to the drawing board!
Calling all you jewel experts!

 

Garnets (most garnets) are magnetic and will be attracted to a rare earth or neodymium magnet ... may be hard to feel the pull with a small stone, though.

 

Colored stones should be photographed against a white/light colored background.On my screen the stone looks like a dark colored citrine.

 

Thanks, Holly! Good to know. I hope you enjoy this Forum. Hola, and welcome!

 

Is the F in diamond a block letter (F) or script type, Book?

 

Usually, rubies have a slight bluish cast, while garnets tend to be varying shades of red -- dark to lighter -- with no blue.

That said, I vote for ruby. On my monitor this pin has a definitely bluish stone.

 

Whatever the stone, it's a pretty pin.

 

A couple possibilities for maker from the 1922 Jewelry Marks list - E. S Feinstein of Maiden Lane, NYC and T. G. Frothingham of N. Attleboro. The link goes to the page with Feinstein. Once there, you can click the Next Page in the lower right corner to go to the age with Frothingham.

http://chicagosilver.com/jmarks5.htm

 

Do you have a loupe?
Use it to check the top of the stone. Sometimes in these older less expensive pieces they used doublets.
A doublet is an inexpensive material capped with a round sliver of a more expensive stone such as a ruby or sapphire.

If it is a doublet, there will be a ridge sitting on top of the gemstone. If you don't see a cap check the stone for inclusions, showing a less expensive stone. If you see air bubbles, it is glass.

 

I would have said garnet right off the bat; it's the wrong color for a ruby, but dead on for some garnets. Rubies are pinker; I'd have said almandine garnet, but you've got it in hand. I'd use a dry toothbrush to clean out some of the gunk. As for age. 1910-1915 is ground zero for those backward acting clasps.

 

The stone is set in there well. No glue to worry about.
I'd put it in some sudsy water with a touch of ammonia - swish it around. If really dirty, an old toothbrush gently rubbed in the dirty areas. Rinse and it will sparkle.

Adding:
This will not hurt gemstones, but not recommended for pearls, opals or any soft stones.

 

How is rubbing alcohol for cleaning metal and stones?

 

Jewelry brainiacs at work!