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estate russian AMBER pieces-help needed

(1 of 11)
estate russian AMBER pieces-help needed
Jul 26, 2012 03:37 AM

We bought many pieces of amber from an estate sale a few months ago and we're trying to get ready to sell it and need some help on the research. I posted one necklace on this board earlier in the month.  Since then, I have gone to a local jeweler and had the refractive index tested on all the pieces and they said these are all definitely amber. I have also weighed all of the pieces since it seems the gram weight is important.   There are three necklaces, four rings, two sets of earrings,a pendant, a large pin and two elastic bracelets. (I might have left a piece out). One necklace is red amber beads with a 14K filigree clasp but the rest of the pieces are yellow or Baltic amber and some pieces have sterling.  Several pieces (rings & pin) with metal have Russian hallmarks. One necklace is raw pieces but the others are carved.  In fact, I guess all the other pieces are carved. The rings with gold are gold plated over sterling.   According to the estate history, these pieces were all vintage and purchased in Russia or from family there.  I am not having much luck researching these pieces on eBay because prices are all over the map and I lack the knowledge to discern the differences. You'll see one necklace from China for $6 and another for $2000.  I am experimenting with the photos taking them on light and dark backgrounds and may get some jewelry displays to make the photos look better. I will take better pics before I attempt to list these. 

 

Just looking for some help or ideas. Any research links for amber jewelry would be appreciated. Hoping that some of you can share your expertise.  Thanks much.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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estate russian AMBER pieces-help needed

(10 Replies / 1,041 Views)
estate russian AMBER pieces-help needed
Jul 26, 2012 03:37 AM

We bought many pieces of amber from an estate sale a few months ago and we're trying to get ready to sell it and need some help on the research. I posted one necklace on this board earlier in the month.  Since then, I have gone to a local jeweler and had the refractive index tested on all the pieces and they said these are all definitely amber. I have also weighed all of the pieces since it seems the gram weight is important.   There are three necklaces, four rings, two sets of earrings,a pendant, a large pin and two elastic bracelets. (I might have left a piece out). One necklace is red amber beads with a 14K filigree clasp but the rest of the pieces are yellow or Baltic amber and some pieces have sterling.  Several pieces (rings & pin) with metal have Russian hallmarks. One necklace is raw pieces but the others are carved.  In fact, I guess all the other pieces are carved. The rings with gold are gold plated over sterling.   According to the estate history, these pieces were all vintage and purchased in Russia or from family there.  I am not having much luck researching these pieces on eBay because prices are all over the map and I lack the knowledge to discern the differences. You'll see one necklace from China for $6 and another for $2000.  I am experimenting with the photos taking them on light and dark backgrounds and may get some jewelry displays to make the photos look better. I will take better pics before I attempt to list these. 

 

Just looking for some help or ideas. Any research links for amber jewelry would be appreciated. Hoping that some of you can share your expertise.  Thanks much.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Post
by shakti (1632 ) View Listings
(1 of 10)
Re: estate russian AMBER pieces-help needed
Jul 26, 2012 03:40 AM

 

(2 of 10)
Re: estate russian AMBER pieces-help needed
Jul 26, 2012 09:59 AM

http://www.ambergallery.com/Baltic_Amber_Grading/baltic_amber_grading.html

 

 

There are many different articles on the Internet.  But this one looks interesting.  It breaks down into specific categories what characteristics determine the price of a piece of amber.

(3 of 10)
Re: estate russian AMBER pieces-help needed
Jul 27, 2012 12:26 AM

Thanks for posting that website.  It has some good info but is geared more toward specimens rather than jewelry but still a good site. There is some good info there.

(4 of 10)
Re: estate russian AMBER pieces-help needed
Jul 27, 2012 07:55 AM

I would love to be able to figure out, or hear from an expert, regarding amber, especially the olive shaped amber bead necklaces that go for so much money.  Generally, I think, they are fairly large beads, and the "egg yolk" appearance seems to be what drives the prices up, but I could be very wrong in my guesses...

 

As for your pieces, the rings are to die for...that is my favorite color amber, I call it butterscotch, but that is me...

 

The most important thing to me as a buyer is that the amber is translucent rather than transparent...I am not fond of the glittery things that you see in amber, again, my personal taste...but any time I see glittery specks, I am suspicious that the amber has been pressed or reconstituted...yours looks like Baltic amber, and coming from Russia...well, I think that it definitely would be.

 

I would happily buy any of your pieces, but I can't even begin to give you a price point for them...with amber, it seems, the market determines the price...

 

Are there any hallmarks on the rings or earrings?  Russian or Polish rings generally have the markings on the outside of the ring band.

 

k

 

 

(5 of 10)
Re: estate russian AMBER pieces-help needed
Jul 27, 2012 09:21 PM

Thanks for your response. The first ring at the top I said was sterling, but it is Russian silver and plated in gold, and has less silver content than sterling.  It has Russian hallmarks inside the band as well as two similar rings I have that are not pictured. I need to look these up and will try to photograph them.  The silver tone ring pictured with the earring set in deco style is marked "71"? on the outside of the band. The clips on those earrings are marked sterling. The large triangular pin has Russian hallmarks and also the pendant with the gold link and the earrings set have a mark. I will try to add pictures or descriptions over the weekend. And I need to find my magnifying glass. LOL

(6 of 10)
Re: estate russian AMBER pieces-help needed
Jul 29, 2012 11:44 AM

All of the pieces with metal have a mark that has ".6" followed by a backwards "R" and then a "K" .  Only exception is the silver deco ring which has a "71" on the outside of the band.  The pin also has a star with a sickle? and "875."  Russian?  Polish?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7 of 10)
Re: estate russian AMBER pieces-help needed
Jul 29, 2012 01:40 PM

Researching the pin mark, I did find that the mark is Russian and 875 is the silver content(875/1000)- the star and sickle/hammer is the Russian mark used after 1958 and there is a small P ? in front of the star.  St. Petersburg perhaps?  Not any luck attributing 6ЯK or 6RK yet. Maybe the factory or designer?

(8 of 10)
Re: estate russian AMBER pieces-help needed
Jul 30, 2012 03:45 PM

You could try posting the marks of the silver to the Antiques board.  There are some people there who might be able to help.  they might refer you to the Russian section of the Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks:

http://www.925-1000.com/Frussia.html

 

Somebody on Antiques may have an idea of how to guide you in this.

 

Fig


Current avatar: Woman with topknot hairstyle of mid-1890s, holding a book. Photo by Morrison, Haymarket Theatre, Chicago.

(9 of 10)
Re: estate russian AMBER pieces-help needed
Aug 4, 2012 08:27 PM

thanks

(10 of 10)
Re: estate russian AMBER pieces-help needed
Aug 16, 2012 07:49 PM

Just wanted to thank everyone for their help. Listed all of it on auction except the raw piece.

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