Something to add to your detective toolbox. What the hell am I talking about? You'll see. Read on!
Helpful clues when determining the age of vintage earrings is knowing how they attached to the ears and when that attachment was invented.
circa 1800 shepherd hook wire
circa 1873 no name given for this style (hard to explain)
circa 1882 kidney wire
circa 1894 screw back (pierced)
circa 1900 lever back
circa 1909 screw back style #2 (piercing not necessary)
circa 1929 post & butterfly
circa 1934 spring clip better known as Clip On
circa 1960 omega back
It was my understanding for a long time that AK 14 k stamped on jewelry from Turkey meant your item was gold-plated. I stand corrected. Further research has revealed the AK represents Atasay Kuyumculuk. This is a well known jewelry manufacturer in Turkey. They exported a lot of jewelry to the United States over the years. Nothing to do with gold-plating. They say the word "Turkey" is commonly included in the mark. For example: AK Turkey 14 kt.
AK is also the mark for the manufacturer, Armin Kurz, in Switzerland. The e-bay seller goes on to say that Armin Kurz only deals in 18 k gold jewelry. Here's a link to the conversation on ebay. The posters seem to know what they are talking about. The fact someone commented about the gold plating idea and got shot down helped to convince me.
If you find this marking 14 K PL, don't mistake it for "plated" like I have. The "PL" actually stands for "plumb" or full weight. Instead of weighing 13.5 for instance, the item is the full weight at 14 K.
The lesson to be learned here is no matter how much you think you know, you should never stop learning and updating that knowledge.
circa 1800 shepherd hook wirecirca 1873 no name given for this style (hard to explain)
circa 1882 kidney wire
circa 1894 screw back (pierced)
circa 1900 lever back
circa 1909 screw back style #2 (piercing not necessary)
circa 1929 post & butterfly
circa 1934 spring clip better known as Clip On
circa 1960 omega back
Earrings have a history way before what is listed above. Earrings have been worn by both men and women. Sometimes worn to reveal your status in the community or mark a specific accomplishment. Sometimes worn as a fashion accessory. The hair and clothing styles of the day often dictated the practicality of wearing earrings at all.
With that being said, I should not have to tell you that it all comes down to your own personal style. Whether you choose to wear what is currently trending or prefer to be on the cutting edge, be yourself and the best you will shine too.
Mark found on jewelry: AK 14 k "It has nothing to do with gold plating" e-bay seller.
AK is also the mark for the manufacturer, Armin Kurz, in Switzerland. The e-bay seller goes on to say that Armin Kurz only deals in 18 k gold jewelry. Here's a link to the conversation on ebay. The posters seem to know what they are talking about. The fact someone commented about the gold plating idea and got shot down helped to convince me.
What does the PL stand for in the marking 14 K PL? Platinum? Plated?
If you find this marking,14 K PL, don't mistake it for "plated" like I have. The "PL" actually stands for "plumb" or full weight. Instead of weighing 13.5 for instance, the item is the full weight at 14 K.
If you find this marking 14 K PL, don't mistake it for "plated" like I have. The "PL" actually stands for "plumb" or full weight. Instead of weighing 13.5 for instance, the item is the full weight at 14 K.
The lesson to be learned here is no matter how much you think you know, you should never stop learning and updating that knowledge.
Here's one more tip to keep you tuned in.
If you have a piece of silver jewelry marked with 925, you can be absolutely sure that it is not a native american piece of jewelry. They might not have used a 925 marking to represent silver, but the word "sterling" was used often by the native american. Good to know.
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