Help in ID

[KG71]

Hello there,

I would like to ask you to try to identify my stone. A lil bit of history of it: my father gave me this, and he got it from his father. My grandfather got it from its father. And father of my grandfather got it from its father. Geez that was long, but I assume that the story goes on and on, but theres no docs to document that. My father told me that our family had some lets say "contact" with russian monarchy, as I've seen very old, original document written in old russian language signed by Alexander II who was ruler of Russia back in 1844-1894, so I believe this ring could be from that time as well. Ring is very heavy itself and stone is big. Stone color changes depending on light, Ive noticed that it is deep purple in artificial light, and blue in daylight. Ive noticed P20 stamp inside and not sure about the other one. Looks like some head in helmet (or without?) with some letters on left and right side, seems J on left and N or H on right.

Any ideas?

 

[pwsg07]

How is the clarity of stone? Any close up photos?

 

[KG71]

Cristal clear, no air inside, no defects. Its hard to take a photo, Ill try in a morning

 

[Nosean]

synthetic vanadium doped sapphire...

 

[Gloria27]

Googled gold hallmarks a bit and it seems more like a 20th century (1920-1930? )Polish mark. Design looks more modern than that, but I'm not sure.
Anyway, Old (antique) Russian jewelry would have intricate workmanship.

and I agree with the above comment about the stone

 

[Bron357]

If you’re wondering if it’s Alexandrite, it’s unlikely. Large size, inclusion free Alexandrite are as rare as hens teeth. Russian Jewellry is hallmarked as parts per 1,000 ie 375, 500, 583, 750 and 958 so I’m not sure what P 20 represents. You could have the gem tested by the GIA but as 99.99% of people discover, their antique alexandrite turns out to actually be a treated synthetic sapphire. Still beautiful, but not worth much at all.

 

[Gloria27]

I think it's Polish but of course I've only googled this today so I could be miles off.

Seen an example online where a stamp of the letter W stood for Warsaw and there was also a head and a number near the head. The number near the head was related to the purity of the metal so was the shape of the stamp. Some other examples showed the letter W in the same stamp as the head and also meant the item was made/marked in Warsaw. Other letters are for other cities.

one example:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polskie_cechy_probiercze.jpg

other example:
http://hallmarkwiki.com/?country=poland


My guess would be this is a 1960-70(based on design), Polish 14k gold(based on stamp) ring with a synthetic sapphire stone. only a guess!

 

[shinyrocks]

Very pretty piece! My suspicions are the same as a few others have stated: most likely a synthetic due to the color change, substantial size, and clarity. Doesn't rule out the possibility of it being natural, but synthetics have been around for quite a while and would've certainly been available at the time of this ring's manufacture.

 

[KG71]

Thanks so much, now I know where to start

 

[Frost]

Saw a pendant with a similar story once... A family heirloom, a gift from husband to wife in WW1, given to another family in 1970s, long and illustrious history and a gorgeous looking stone... It looked like and was thought to be aquamarine, but it turned out to be synthetic spinel.

It could be natural but you won't know until you get it checked IRL.

 

[partgypsy]

If that's a 1 next to the head marking and w on right, mean 960 gold, which would be very high karat gold.

 

[Gloria27]

I think it's number 3 on the left side of the head, which means Polish 14ct gold. higher carat gold would also be a lot more intense yellow/orange. The way the 3 is made, seems to be after 1963 as I have researched. Earlier 3's were softer, with no angle.
W, or H on the side would be the city where it was made, (W) Warsaw or (H) Chorzyw.

The P20 mark could be that it was made for export? Extra hallmarks were put if the piece was made for export, so I've read.

KG71, let us know if you test it and what are the results!

 

[Nosean]

@Frost
Go to a fleamarket in europe and you see dozends of light blue synthetic spinel and sometimes these vanadium doped sapphires.

It is quite boring...

 

[T L]

Its probably synthetic corundum, but take it to a gemologist to be sure. Highly unlikely it's a natural alexandrite.