HannibalNectar
Elite Member
I finally had time to get a ring I found earlier this year, looked at by a jeweler. When I dug it, I assumed it was silver because it had a whitish chalky coating on it and splotches of black tarnish. Just like the seated coins I found nearby it. The ring is not marked but has an engraving inside. (which I can't make out)
I knew this ring was old due to the patina And the fact that it was with seated coins in a corn field. Along with many other incredible finds.
You can see in the first picture of the 1844 HALF DIME the white stuff. The coin is wet in the pic but you can see as it dries the whole thing is white.
So I wanted some info on the stone And went to a antique jewelry store. The woman listened to my story while doing several acid tests. I said" I Know its silver im just wondering about the stone"
With that she said this is 18kt gold. Something in the soil has caused it to turn white and chalky colored. Sure enough you can see perfect yellow gold where she acid tested it.
I should have atleast considered it to be gold by the low number it rang up as but my eyes were convinced it was silver.
I almost thought it looks like it was scorched in a fire just a bit. I did find two silver coins completely burned up in the same field(barber half 1902&UNKNOWN silver quarter)
She said it dates from 1840-1880's. Based by it's style and lack of hallmark. And is from before the use of white gold! Weird right? Also because the backside of the stone is left natural which is another sign of age. Our conversation wondered in a different direction and I was so excited about it, I left with out any more info on the stone. So I still have no idea if its a natural RUBY OR GARNET.
Another question im thinking about is, what could make the gold turn white? A chemical/element in the soil? plus possible fire? I see it alot in silver coins coming from old farm fields. They get a weird white coating. And ive always assumed it was from chemicals used in the dirt.
Maybe what ever element makes white gold WHITE, was in the soil. Naturally or added by farmers. And that reacted with the gold and turned the outside white?either a chemical reaction or by fire.? Is that possible?
Could it accidentally been turned into white gold on the outside before white gold was even Invented or used?
I HAVE NEVER SEEN GOLD COME UP LIKE THIS SO IM AT A LOSS. AND THE FACT THAT ITS 18K MAKES IT MORE UNLIKELY TO BE JUST CORROSION.
I WANT TO REITERATE THAT THE METAL HAS TURNED SILVER/WHITE IN COLOR AND HAS A CHALKY PATINA. THE METAL DOESN'T JUST HAVE WHITE ON IT; IT IT WHITE. Its very strange. I CAN WIPE THE CHALKYNESS AWAY BUT IT JUST LOOKS LIKE WHITE GOLD OR SILVER. IF I SCRATCH IT, ITS 18K YELLOW UNDER THERE
I THINK IM GOING TO HAVE IT PROFESSIONALLY RESTORED. UNLESS ITS DETERMINED TO BE THE WORLDS FIRST PIECE OF WHITE GOLD. HA HA.
IMAGINE IF THIS WAS IN THE FIRE OF 1893. ON SOMEONE'S FINGER? THIS WAS IN THE FIELD WHERE THE MENTAL ASYLUM BURNED DOWN. !!!!!!! HOLY $!@/
heres the link to the other finds
http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=261514
I WILL POST SOME BETTER PICTURES LATER TODAY.
I knew this ring was old due to the patina And the fact that it was with seated coins in a corn field. Along with many other incredible finds.
You can see in the first picture of the 1844 HALF DIME the white stuff. The coin is wet in the pic but you can see as it dries the whole thing is white.
So I wanted some info on the stone And went to a antique jewelry store. The woman listened to my story while doing several acid tests. I said" I Know its silver im just wondering about the stone"
With that she said this is 18kt gold. Something in the soil has caused it to turn white and chalky colored. Sure enough you can see perfect yellow gold where she acid tested it.
I should have atleast considered it to be gold by the low number it rang up as but my eyes were convinced it was silver.
I almost thought it looks like it was scorched in a fire just a bit. I did find two silver coins completely burned up in the same field(barber half 1902&UNKNOWN silver quarter)
She said it dates from 1840-1880's. Based by it's style and lack of hallmark. And is from before the use of white gold! Weird right? Also because the backside of the stone is left natural which is another sign of age. Our conversation wondered in a different direction and I was so excited about it, I left with out any more info on the stone. So I still have no idea if its a natural RUBY OR GARNET.
Another question im thinking about is, what could make the gold turn white? A chemical/element in the soil? plus possible fire? I see it alot in silver coins coming from old farm fields. They get a weird white coating. And ive always assumed it was from chemicals used in the dirt.
Maybe what ever element makes white gold WHITE, was in the soil. Naturally or added by farmers. And that reacted with the gold and turned the outside white?either a chemical reaction or by fire.? Is that possible?
Could it accidentally been turned into white gold on the outside before white gold was even Invented or used?
I HAVE NEVER SEEN GOLD COME UP LIKE THIS SO IM AT A LOSS. AND THE FACT THAT ITS 18K MAKES IT MORE UNLIKELY TO BE JUST CORROSION.
I WANT TO REITERATE THAT THE METAL HAS TURNED SILVER/WHITE IN COLOR AND HAS A CHALKY PATINA. THE METAL DOESN'T JUST HAVE WHITE ON IT; IT IT WHITE. Its very strange. I CAN WIPE THE CHALKYNESS AWAY BUT IT JUST LOOKS LIKE WHITE GOLD OR SILVER. IF I SCRATCH IT, ITS 18K YELLOW UNDER THERE
I THINK IM GOING TO HAVE IT PROFESSIONALLY RESTORED. UNLESS ITS DETERMINED TO BE THE WORLDS FIRST PIECE OF WHITE GOLD. HA HA.
IMAGINE IF THIS WAS IN THE FIRE OF 1893. ON SOMEONE'S FINGER? THIS WAS IN THE FIELD WHERE THE MENTAL ASYLUM BURNED DOWN. !!!!!!! HOLY $!@/
heres the link to the other finds
http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=261514
I WILL POST SOME BETTER PICTURES LATER TODAY.
Attachments
Last edited:
I would have it restored as well.
congrats HN!!
