Thank you for this information - it is very helpful and interesting. Of course, I hope that my ring is authentic, but what I really want is to know the truth.
I plan to have it appraised to determine what the stone and metal are and will post my findings here. Regardless, it is a beautiful ring and I will enjoy wearing it for many years to come.
PG
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Russian Hallamrks by: Yvonne Hammouda-Eyre
Hi Pearlgirl
according to the mark it can be Russian.
Before the revolution and after it there was plenty of jewelry made in russia with alexandrite from Russia (even though it is said to be a very rare stone).
According to a trusted russian source, even after WWII Russian factories produced plenty of jewelry containing low- quality alexandrite in silver.
In Russia alexandrite is known as a widow-stone and I have been told that unless you're a widow you shouldn't wear alexandrite.
I would also like to add that Russia is a country where anything and everything can happen, things happen there that do not happen in many other places in the world.
I have been told that some "jewelers" working in a factory would put natural stones in cheap silver rings and then would try to buy them back from the shops (they made special designs to identify the rings) because they couldn't steal them from the factory.
Many Russians emigrated after the revolution, and after WWII. During all that time to take your treasure overseas was forbidden by law, you would be stopped and all your valuables taking from you forever, that was still happening up to 15 years ago.
For example, I have been told about one lady, 83 years old, that immigrated from Russia. She had some antique jewelry from the 1900s and older that she had inherited from her parents. The jewelry had been handed down from mother to daughter over the last few generations.
She was afraid she would lose them and asked a jeweler to put a low stamp of gold instead of the high (22ct) which it was, or take out the clasp where the stamp appeared.
So, the last 100 years in Russia hasn't been a picnic, it's been a long and troublesome time and reflected in the jewelry. I would not be sure of any gold mark on any russian rings. I would advise you to have the stone tested and the gold appraised by a specialist.
Sorry if my comment is not what you expected.
Please let us all know the results. with regards
Yvonne
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Thank you for your comment... by: PearlGirl
Hi Patricia,
Thank you for your response and the nice compliment. It certainly is a beautiful ring. I will try to post another picture of it in a separate post.
I wish I knew the history of this piece. I purchased it on eBay, and the seller, whom I'm fairly certain is Russian, said that she purchased it in a thrift store in West Hollywood. I know that there is a large Russian population there, so I feel certain that the ring is authentic and old. I hope to have it appraised by someone who specializes in antique Russian jewelry so I'll know for sure.
I am really enjoying this site and have already learned so much in a relatively short period of time.
Best to All!
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Russian Hallmark by: Patricia
"The closest one I've found is Russian (1906-1917) 14K gold. "
Your ring is definitely of Russian origin as it has a Russian hallmark with the "56" indicating 14K.
The ring looks beautiful even from the picture, although its a bit hard to see the stone.
