Antique jewels- real, fake, repair?

[Green with Envy]

Reading People magazine and saw a picture of George Clooneys new 20 something girlfriend at the Venice Film Festival wearing black dress and KNOCK OUT Ruby/diamond necklace and earrings. WOW. Reminded me of some costume jewelry found amoung my grandfather's stuff when he passed.

Now I am wondering if this is real? fake? And how to get it cleaned up and repaired? It is a brooch and earrings- all marked 14 kt gold. The red/purple gems are not doing so well- one large chip in the brooch and the earrings have lots of inclusions- so maybe not glass like I originally thought? The pearls look real and the gold detail of milgrain, etc is really nice.

Sorry- pics do not have good lighting...

Any thoughts?

 

[Green with Envy]

Thanks- I am sure these are not rubies. I figured glass or garnets. tried the pearl test.. but so small- could not figure out "grit." I think bc they are irregular- probably real and thus I don''t know how to clean without ruining pearls?

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 9/9/2007 1:07:18 PM
Author: SanDiegoLady
Have them taken to a jeweler, they can be tested. Beautiful set, though! Because its set in 14k, I dont believe the stone would be fake.

It is quite common to find fake rubies, emeralds etc in antique jewellery. The verneuil process was developed in 1902 and the stones produced were very prized at the time. I''ve seen them set in 18k gold and even in platinum.

They don''t tend to have inclusions. Looking at the colour in the photo I would guess they are garnets, and the pearls will be seed pearls. I have some similar pieces with green stones.

 

[partgypsy]

Yes I would guess garnets and seed pearls too. Pretty, I would reset in leverbacks and wear them. (PS- what others have said is correct, that synthetic stones were often set in 14k gold back then).

 

[Green with Envy]

Yes- the more i look at the red gems- i think they are fake.

ANy recommendations of who could professional clean them and change the backings so i can wear? What should I do with the brooch that has a huge chip in it? Re-set another stone in it? Ideas?

 

[Richard Sherwood]

The earrings look to be garnet and pearls, while the brooch looks questionable.