Featured Ring with green patina?

Hi All!
How are you doing?

I am considering buying the ring—silver and gold with sapphire and old cut diamonds.
It has a French hallmark (eagle head), but the problem is that I noticed this greenery that is visible in the picture below and am not sure how concerned I should be. The ring has been certify as silver (top), gold (bottom). However, it looks to me like a weird patina. Have no clue. Do you think it could be cleaned, or shall I pass on it?

I would much appreciate your advice.

 

No problem for cleaning these green spots with soapy water and soft tooth brush, it is not patina but green gunk spots, only visible in pics, mustn't be so obvious in reality.

 

Agreed! I'd probably ultrasound it.

 

Thank you both! So helpful!
Interesting point about ultrasound machine. I was researching it recently. Is it safe to use it to clean fine jewellery with stones?

 

I use one a great deal. Not with pearls or opals though. With a ring that old, I'd use it on a low setting, very short bursts to make sure no stones are loosened. The amount of muck released is astonishing.

 

It is a gorgeous ring, very nice design.

Excellent definition.
The green gunk is oxidation caused by the copper content in the silver alloy. It is also called verdigris.

Patina is the result of natural aging, tiny scratches and other age-related 'damage', that give a piece character.
Then there is tarnish, a combination of silver oxidation and dirt, which ideally should be removed because it is not the intention of the maker.

 

The other thing that removes green gunk is vinegar.

 

I use vinegar for cleaning the house like all the time and was even thinking abut it but my concern was that it might affect stones?

 

It won't affect hard stones at all. Don't use it on soft ones like pearl or opal.

 

Could be that the green is caused by the copper oxidation of the copper as @Any Jewelry opined. I have seen this green, lighter than in copper items, many times in silver items. It may very well be due to the copper content but it is a distinctive green. It is a very nice ring and I would put it into the Edwardian period.

 

Yup, that's why the vinegar fixes it.

 

Agree with notes above, but with those professional looking photographs, why wouldn't the seller have tried to remove it? It should come off, but it would give me a tiny bit of pause. If an in-person sale, maybe you can see what is what before committing.

 

I hear your point. Valid one!!!
I would risk a theory that this seller is fairly new to the business. I bought from her 6 months ago when she just established her business. But I know the specialist who tests her stuff. I am pretty sure that I will underpay for what it is so don't mind taking a risk here and cleaning it myself.

@kyratango mentioned also that this gunk might be 'only visible in pics, mustn't be so obvious in reality.' And that's the case here too.

 

That's what I was thinking too. The marks look legit, but that top gives me pause. Makes me wonder. I'd want it in hand before shelling out. That little bit of green ought to come off with a toothpick and it looks like "new" green. The dark color indicates it's recent.

 

Diamond is the hardest substance produced naturally on earth &, on the Mohs hardness scale, corundum (sapphire & ruby) is second hardest, so vinegar is not going to touch them. Mind, 'hardness' is ranked by what can scratch what, not by ability to endure blows. Don't try hitting an unknown stone with a hammer to see if it is hard enough to be diamond.

The effect of solvents on the mount & its ability to hold the stones is another matter.

 

My take on it is from experience, unfortunately, I would not use an ultrasound cleaner on antique jewelry of any type. It can lead to disastrous results with missing stones, even for short bursts. When cleaning, do it by hand using a brush designed for gemstones, brush gently. No need for vinegar, you can use a gentle soap on this ring. The green could be a result of storing with costume jewelry. Many times fine jewelry is tossed in with costume which is prone to discoloration if not properly stored. If the marks are correct, it's easy enough to have it verified. If you are uncomfortable cleaning a piece, I recommend having a professional jeweler take care of it - that way if a stone pops out, its on them

 

Vinegar ought not to impact silver or gold at all, but if you're worried, don't soak it, just use a bit of white vinegar on a cotton bud.