Why it's always worth getting old jewellery expertly assessed

UNMARKED GOLD NECKLACE AND PENDANT EXPECTED TO MAKE £500-£700 IN AUCTION

- By DOMINIC COX

VINTAGE gold jewellery is not always hallmarked, something that regularly produces very nice surprises when pieces are taken along for assessment.

That was the case at our recent valuation day in Elsham when a lady brought in a necklace and pendant that she had inherited. It was strikingly attractive: A split pearl flower head and foliate necklace with a detachable pendant featuring more split pearls and what appeared to be a diamond, all fitted in a velvet and silk lined box.

It reeked quality but there were no gold hallmarks on either the necklace or the pendant, nor was there even a maker's stamp or name to point us in the direction of a creator.

Tests by my colleague, jewellery specialist Charlie Ward, confirmed that the necklace was gold, 15 carat gold actually, the detachable pendant was 18 carat gold and the pendant centre stone was an old cut diamond. An Edwardian piece, likely dating from around 1910.