Featured Finds Thread

I remember it's snowville varicite

 

I am on the fence with this one. The other ring I got for $40 is definitely the real deal, and I will post pics on the Finds thread tomorrow. Funny, I like this ring better. It was a young guy who didn't really know what he had was selling these. I will check out that stone!

 

This is going to my estate jeweler by the end of the month. It is either reconstituted turquoise or Snowville variscite. Stay tuned.

 

Which is one reason I know it not to be Navajo, and....suggested Zuni on the other thread !

 

It is an enigma.....this does not fit into Zuni design categories, yet the hallmark is more Zuni. The design fits into what modern Navajo silversmiths are doing with the overlay. The size and execution points to Navajo. The stone is more greenish with an unusual matrix not often seen. Yes, turquoise can be green, but this is a different animal. Having Googled Snowville variscite extensively and reconstituted turquoise extensively, I am leaning towards the Snowville variscite as the stone. I think the overall craftsmanship points to Native American. I have not seen any examples of Chinese fakes that look this good.

 

Okay, this is the second ring I bought at the outdoor antique show yesterday...this is the real deal. W. Dentadale, Navajo, the overlay is 14k (there is a 14k hallmark on the other side of the ring inside.) This was only $40, too, a real deal.


This is a picture of Snowville variscite that looks similar to the stone in the other questionable ring


This is an unmarked sterling who-knows-what stone ring I got a few weeks ago for $30

 

From my obsessive-compulsive research, I believe the turquoise in the Dentadale ring is from the Kingman mine.....and one just like it except for the stone shape (it was triangular) sold on ebay recently in a buy-it-now for $145.

 

DENETDALE- can't spell today.

 

Used to go to Kingman all the time with a band from Vegas and always stopped by when going to and from Phoenix.

 

I would love to get out to the turquoise museums next trip to Vegas.... I side trip to San Fran when hubby is in Vegas.

 

No, sorry, I don't... I live near the university city of Cambridge, in the UK.

 

I asked about Stourbridge because one of the partners at a saleroom there fits the description or ARS expert and ceramics expert. I suppose they must all do something as a day job.

 

Just an update on the enigma ring. I contacted a turquoise expert, and he identified this stone as chalcociderite, a rare phosphate found with turquoise and variscite. He said the stone was an excellent specimen.

 

FAR better than leverite...

 

Not as good as Cavorite.

And smaller than Yosemite

 

I'm going "hmmm" on the Meissen plates. The crossed swords mark looks good, but the 2 scratch marks are giving me pause. Normally, Meissen seconds would have one or two scratches through the swords mark, whereas the plates have scratches under the mark. Also, the colour under the scratch should be white not buff. Are what I see as scratches painted marks?

 

Yes, Kentworld, they're painted marks. According to both the Antiques Roadshow chap and the European ceramics expert who he suggested I consult for further verification this indicates that the plates were decorated outside of the Meissen factory. Their assessment was that the place of decoration was probably Dresden and that this would be owing to the pressure of work upon Meissen - there were three sets of this service, each consisting of circa 400 pieces, and these were being made in addition to the regular Meissen factory workload.

 

Subcontractors.(LOL)

 

I just love looking at everyone's finds!

Guess it's my turn ... OK, actually, I'm just putting off painting a bit more of the kitchen ... but since the paint roller has thawed out and the Aleves have kicked in, there are no more excuses after I show what I found at the thrift this week.

Interesting 7" vase with crimped edge and diamond point-like pattern (still trying to figure out who made it) and pint bottle in aqua color with the word "summer" over a leafy tree on the front and the word "winter" over a bare tree on the back. This bottle has the ugliest pontil scar I've ever seen!

The bottle feels and looks old ... does anyone know of any recent reproductions of what I assume is a mid-to-late 19th century bottle?

ugly pontil


A cute antique toast rack from London (this store must not be familiar with foreign hallmarks and I'm not sure it's my place to try and educate them) ... it is sterling and will look much better when I shine it up! An unusual 6" mixed metal vase ... no markings ... very heavy with what appears to be silver inlay work over much of the surface. I don't know if this should be polished or not ... the very subtle design is beautiful (still researching ... don't know what it is really)

Some very handsome small cocktail glasses with hand painted (I'm almost certain) game birds.

 

Nice!