Featured Shriner's pin marked 14K but tarnished?

This was part of a jewelry lot and I've had it sitting around for a while.

It's marked 14K on the back but it doesn't look like gold at all. Does anyone have an explanation? I'm always trying to learn.

Also, do you recognize the maker's mark?

Thanks!

 

The other metals in the alloy can tarnish. Try a sunshine cloth.

 

Or white toothpaste on a Q-Tip

 

I think I have a half dozen polishing cloths somewhere in this house. I just wish I knew where.

 

Edit, no use of my post, did not know what Shriners was. Sorry

 

The US has many organisations like that. I tend not to reply on threads like this, because it is their thing, which I know nothing about.
Fascinating phenomenon though.

(There, I replied.)

 

I found a similar but reversed mark. It's basically a curved sword with a letter.

https://www.langantiques.com/university/mark/riker-bros/

 

absolutely, especially turn of the century era (1900) US made gold. They were doing a lot of tinkering with different alloys to alter color, durability and malleability. The different % of other metals will cause various degrees of patina and even straight up tarnish.

An experience from about 8 years ago I’ll never forget:

I bought a jewelry box full of “junk” at my usual auction. There were all the usual jewelry buyers there and each one searched that box. There was a MARKED & signed 14k Victorian (chunky) bracelet in there, unfortunately missing stones, dented etc. but there was no question, it was a high end piece back in the day.

it was in a box with junk, but it clearly stood out as not belonging in that box, for any reason. There’s no way that the other jewelry buyers *didn’t* see it.

But it was heavily tarnished, and apparently they all thought it was fake. I won the box for $22.00 and cleaned it up a little to an amazing rose gold shade with a white silver/platinum sheen. It was an incredible color that I have never seen since.

Since it was damaged beyond repair, I scrapped it. $820

I never judge gold by its surface luster, especially old gold. And although I am friendly with the other buyers at auction (my competition) I don’t share my trade knowledge. I shall forever refrain from informing them that gold can, and will, tarnish

 

the piece will be gold, but the post and backing are not

 

You replied to me, to help me as usual, because you saw my confusion... Very good advice, thank you!