Posted 8 years ago
pebble
(31 items)
Another Egyptian silver filigree bracelet from a family collection - I've put a link in the first comment to the story of the first one.
This one has very clear stamps on the solid panels. The filigree panels are also stamped but it's so hard to make out the symbols.
The left-hand stamp is the Egyptian mark for 800 silver which is commonly used for filigree because the impurities help it to keep the shape better than higher purity silver which is softer (thanks Efesgirl for correcting me on that one!). The letter "O" indicates that it was made in 1939-1940, so a couple of years later than the first one I posted.
I used to wear this bracelet a lot as a teenager in the 80s but I left it behind when I left home. I've been wearing it again since I got it back from my Mum! My mum has a similar one with square panels, but hers has no stamps on it that I can find.
Here's the link to the other one:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/201398-vintage-egyptian-silver-filigree-bracele?in=user
Really lovely bracelet Pebble and your photos are so clear!!!!
It's a beauty! Actually, 800 silver is stronger because of the alloys added. That makes the filigree design hold up better.
Thanks Tassie, I photographed the hallmarks through a loupe.
Thanks for correcting me Bonnie, I need experts like you to keep me right! I'll change my OP so I don't mislead other newbies like me ;)
:-))))
Pure silver is .999, which makes really lousy jewelry because it's too soft.
.950 is the next one down
Sterling is .925
Foreign countries also use a variety of silver grades: 835, 830, 800...and the really cheap countries may use .600, which really isn't silver anymore.
Alpacca silver has no silver content. Coin silver is also not silver.
Japan is listed here as using pure .1000 silver. "Gumby jewelry", imho.
http://www.925-1000.com/a_Standards.html
Great resource, thanks - I have it bookmarked now!
Thanks valentino97, and thanks also to aura, racer4four and vetraio50 for the loves :)