Example. Jewelry Markings on Earrings.

These earrings are an example of several things. I took this picture in front of a hand display to give an idea of the size; they are "light as a feather".

When I first began sorting through Mom's Jewelry Collection, I knew NOTHING about Fine Jewelry or Designer Jewelry. I knew my daughter JoAnn frequented Kay Jewelers and that she demanded her husband by her rings from them for her birthday and Christmas. I had watched some cable TV shopping shows with Mom, featuring the jewelry designer, Jay King. I've only been in a jewelry store to choose an engagement/wedding ring set (twice).

There were a lot of pieces from Avon (Mom and Grama Sams both sold Avon and purchased demos to show their customers). I purchased a book "Identifying Avon Jewelry" and found most of the pieces, others I found online.

There were a lot of small pendants without chains. There were fine chains with knots in them. I figure that's how Mom ended up with so many small pendants without chains. I spent hours trying to remove knots. I was usually successful but not always. I hate fine chains and replaced, the ones I could remove, with larger chains. BIG opps. Later, I learned jewelry markings are usually on the chains.

Back to Earrings...

View of the back of the earrings. I had set these aside because I didn't see any jewelry marking on them. Recently, while searching for a ring match, where I was using Citrine as the stone, these earrings appeared. FYI, there are no jewelry markings that identify the type of stone. And, there are natural stones, simulated stones, lab-created stones, to name a few. Yellow stones could be Citrine, yellow Topaz, yellow Quartz... Seller description of these earrings. Designer 14k Yellow Gold Oval and Pear Citrine Chandelier Dangle Post Earrings. $295. Upon closer examination, I could read the jeweler marking of 14k, on the post.

Jewelry markings on the post of the earring. A magnifying glass is needed and they are still very hard to make out.

I don't know where the Seller got the rest of the information used in the description. Obviously the designer is unknown or it would have been stated. I have noticed that while many designers use their initials, some use a symbol. Likely there is a symbol of some sort on the post.

View that best shows the cut and color of the stones. Value $220. My Price $110.

View, though blurry, to show the color of the stones which is a lighter yellow gold than the first picture of this post. Getting an accurate photo of the color of stones and metals is difficult. I use my light box but many times include a picture taken on my kitchen counter, next to a window, because the representation of the true color is more accurate. Some of the stones on the earrings, especially the bottom teardrops, appear to be darker, more orange-color stones.

I've noticed that many online sellers mention "Estate" in the title. They also use "Vintage" a note, "Vintage" Before 2000. Which I think is funny. To me "Vintage" means my Grandmother's lifetime. Many Sellers get their jewelry at Estate Sales and Thrift Stores and can't be certain of the stones. While searching the internet for matches, I often come across items being sold by Good Will. In a few cases, I've found a video where the item I'm looking for is featured and they state the stones used.

I don't mean to disparage online sellers or discourage you from buying online. Shopping online, i.e. Etsy, eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, Gem (to name a few) you will likely get a "good deal" (of varying degrees) versus buying new or at a jewelry store. One of the points I'm trying to make is that most of the time the type of stone used is unknown or uncertain. Fine jewelry is made using "precious" metals, like Gold and Sterling; and natural or high-quality stones and cuts. Be aware that 925 Gold is not pure gold, it usually means "Gold over Sterling Silver", and 14k with the addition of GP means it's Gold Plated - coating and plating can wear off over time - although, I've found that chemicals are most often the reason - don't wear your rings while doing dishes or while applying hand lotion. 

A big advantage of shopping online, estate sales, thrift stores, even rummage sales, is finding unusual pieces. I used to go to rummage sales every week and learned that often relatives selling the belongings of their mothers and aunts often don't know their value and you get INCREDIBLE deals. For a while, I bought at rummage sales and sold at flea markets. Same goes for thrift stores. When I was a jewelry designer I found some great stuff in old jewelry boxes. Antique and Vintage necklaces often contain beautiful beads. I looked for metal beads, because I figured "what you see is what you get". Also, if you make earrings and like the chandelier design, the multi-strand findings are great for this. I will be doing a post on this, later.

925 CZ Faux Emerald Teardrop Earrings. Value $120. My Price $60.

925 CZ - on the post. Side and Back view. I wish I could identify this pattern. I often see similar patterns and if I could find the designer or jewelry company it would help me with searches.