Featured CAMEOS: Show & Tell or Ask & Answer

Does anyone have any idea when the "14k" mark began to appear on jewelry? I'm considering purchasing a cameo with this mark, and I'm trying to figure out if this might help me roughly date it.

 

Is there a photo you can share? There's a difference between when it was used sometimes & when it became required. Style of cameo, mount, & any findings (clasp, hinge, bail, etc.) tell more.

 

If you are talking about something made in the USA there was no "requirement"before the 1906 Gold Stamp Act.But the way the act is written there is no requirement to put quality marks on precious metal objects.

 

I'm going strictly from very shaky memory here, so sort me out. Know I looked into this once, & what I think I recall was some kind of industry agreement in the 1970s for standardizing marks, that sort of thing, but voluntary, although it would seem a disadvantage not to comply.

 

Thank you, everyone! Here are photos of the piece in question.

 

The whole thing has been confusing for many years and many people still can't answer questions pertaining to marking precious metals including the FTC. https://mjsa.org/publicationsmedia/compliance_guides/stamping_and_marking

 

So there is no requirement to mark, but a lot of regulations about how you have to do it if you do it.

 

She's very nice. 'Hardstone' (banded agate), treated to get the black layer so black (routine, not an issue). Cameos of this general type - no specific woman with trappings of wealth/nobility - seem to have started turning up in the late 19th century. However, there is no reason to think she is not contemporary with her mount, which is from solidly into the 20th century. I think it is more likely the cameo was cut in Germany than in Italy, but can't be sure without any signature. It's unusual for a cameo of this type to use this looking-over-the-shoulder profile pose.

 

That's about it,there was an article not long stating the FTC is changing things again.A hand signed maker's name could be substituted for the now required registered trademark.If the maker's name was John Doe and there are 10 or more other John Doe making jewelry,etc. how would they tell who was who?

 

Guess if your John Hancock is John Doe, you would want to style it in a distinctive, trademarkable way.

 

Think seller & eBay will be very happy with this:

https://www.ebay.com/bfl/viewbids/312447160881

 

Hermes?

Also, this:

 

You should see the 'suggestions' for things I might like, based on my history with them. Running shoes? I assure you, I have never.

Nope:

https://cameotimes.com/index.php/profiles-1/minor-gods/medusa

 

Oh, it really was Medusa!

 

Much more often than not, Hermes/Mercury has wings on his cap & sandals, not attached directly to his body. His herald's staff, the caduceus, also often has wings at the top.

 

Sorry, it seems to have incorporated my question into your quote!

 

wondering if there will be a "buyer's remorse"...

 

Very nice carving!

 

I like that, love the braided hair as well, it gives it a Renaissance feel.