RK loop - is it any good?

[CRBeery]

Here is another piece I picked up recently. I did not pay much for it so if bad I will not be too disappointed. I bought it to wear it with an Imperial item but thought I should make sure I am not ruining a good piece before I do so. I know some of you would be upset!
OAL is 21 mm
OAW is 9 mm
Wire is 1.5 mm in diameter.
It is marked 800. I did notice that it is wound in the opposite direction of most of the loops I have seen here. All comments are welcome!
Thanks,
CRBeery

[CRBeery]

Better pic of the end finish.

[CRBeery]

Anyone?

[Dave Kane]

CR I think that after a week someone should offer an observation!! I didn't want to be first but here goes.....


It's a bit big.....there was variation but this one has been 'super sized'


Not to say it may not be good it's just 'outside' even the largest length X width that I have measured and I've had a few.


The typical, general, usual is approximately 19mm X 7.5mm X 1.5mm and range in weight from 1.3grm to 1.6+/-

Another observation on your loop and not by itself damning is the un-even length of the tips....it seems excessive.

Has the 800 been hand tapped or does it appear to have been pressed?

[Jos L C]

I'm not very deep into these items but every time I see a single loop some questions come to mind :

The item is easy to make,jewelers have silver thread like this..
We've a small jeweler here who can make anything ,the loop would be no problem ,only thing left is the 800 mark exactly the way it should be,no ?

So,I would say that the 800 mark is the only thing to rely on then..?

Just my simple thought,maybe too simple...,but it's a simple item IMO.
A badge has many points,but these loops are easy to make and hard to judge..

Another question:
If a jeweler makes a exact copy and also get's the 800 right is there a way to tell original from copies ?
That's what I'm curious about..

Jos.

[Dave Kane]

Absolutely Jos! A wonderful question


Just like badges etc. each maker had a 'fingerprint' and incredible as it may sound each tech. had his/her method of finishing. There couldn't have been more than a couple of folks assigned to pull the wire, cut it, shape and finish it.

Most are a L/twist but there are some that are R/.....I may get kicked for this but possibly 1 in 20 are R....was this tech left handed or do I have it turned around?

The finish too is a great tool to assess the item...

However, even considering the above yes, the mark (800 et al) is very telling and needs to be considered as there were several 'versions' to include size and spacing.....look at the '2' series of Juncker RK's!!!

I say again Jos....great point!!!

[Jos L C]

Alright..

Another question..

I remember a jeweler here advertising to buy some "old gold"..
I had a few items,a damaged ring and some stuff and went to him..
He then tested every item,scraped a tiny bit of every gold item and put it in some chemicals and then told howmany karat(the mix of gold) every item was..
I thought it was a smart test to see if 800 silver is really 800 etc..
Do you guys ever use a test like this ?

Jos.

[Marc Garlasco]

Jos,

The SEM can tell you exactly what percent silver and you do not need a sample. I have found in testing a few pieces marked 800 that the reality is at least 90% silver.

Marc

[CRBeery]

Too big - must be for the Grand Cross!!!! Now I am really happy!

Back to reality. Dave, how I can I tell how the 800 was applied? Am I looking for some sort of stepping inside the numbers? They are small and I do not know what I am looking for.
Thanks,
CRBeery

[Dave Kane]

Jos, as I suspect you already know the 'test' years ago was a little loose....it could be (at least) 800 pure or if the plating material was 800 pure the item could have and probably would have been marked accordingly!



CR, look below the 800 and is there a flattened area? These things I believe were stamped on an anvil and in doing so created a flattened area in many cases...

[Dave Kane]

Back to it! CR note the spacing?

[Dave Kane]

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