Who's the Maker of: SILVER 950 Cross w/ Birds carved on back

ceerose · Post by **ceerose** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 11:23 pm

Hi,
I have relentlously searched this site to find a maker who used this ornamental carvings on the back of this cross and I have had no luck correctly identifying the maker of this one. Would ANYONE please help me out and any clues to date it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

byron mac donald · Post by **byron mac donald** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 3:20 am

Hi Ceerose-

Not much I can add about your cross other than it is pretty. The main cross is a consecration cross. The smaller crosses I do not remember the name of but the tips reresent the Holy Trinity being dispersed in all directions of the compass and also the 3 tips times four equals the tewlve apositles.
This cross has been used by many, in many denominations of Christianity, so not much to go on there. does anyone know where the marks of both "Sterling" and "950" together have been used?

-Byron

byron mac donald · Post by **byron mac donald** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 3:38 am

Hell All-

Just to expand, I found it:

The Patonce cross

In heraldry, the three petals represent faith, wisdom and chivalry. The four arms spread these to the four corners of the world.

As a Christian Cross, the three petals represent the Trinity and the total twelve petals represent the Apostles.

Regards- byron

ceerose · Post by **ceerose** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:31 pm

Thanks Byron,
I really appreciate the info. That just made me love this piece more.

It is hard to see in the photo but there are doves , leaves, and flowers carved on the back. Is there a specific maker who used to decorate the back of jewelry pieces like this?

Kind Regards, Carla

Post by **admin** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:01 pm

Hi,
This form is also called a Jerusalem or Crusader's Cross. They were and are made still as souvenirs for pilgrims and tourists. The rosettes and filigree work are typical of the type of jewelry made by Yemenite smiths active earlier in Palestine and now in Israel and would, along with marks, indicate mid 20th century manufacture. Yours is a nice example.
Regards, Tom

ceerose · Post by **ceerose** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 11:01 pm

Thank you Tom,
I appreciate the info...

Kind Regards, Carla

ceerose · Post by **ceerose** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 11:02 pm

Is there any chance this is a real Amethyst? It is pretty...

kerangoumar · Post by **kerangoumar** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 2:31 pm

This is a silver forum but re your thoughts on amethyst:

unlikely as it is set in a closed or inaccessible back (gems usually but not always are set in open backs)

take the piece to an intense light source, move it slowly all around so that you get a good look at the facets thru your magnifying glass or loupe.

Most likely you will see rounded facet corners = poured/pressed glass
IF the facet corners are sharp - you have to be ruthless about the identity here - it may be a gemstone
IF you see colour zoning (or banding) in the purple you have an amethyst - the banding usually is citrine - yellow/orange variety of quartz (virtually all citrine is cooked amethyst)
IF you DO NOT see zoning you have either a synthetic stone or high-grade glass.

To determine whether it is synthetic: observe colour 1) in daylight, 2) in lamplight. Colour change -even a bit, from a bluish to a reddish purple - indicates a synthetic stone.

There are natural colour-change stones but they are rare and expensive, usually set in high-grade gold.