Estate Gold Locket
Engraved markings on estate gold locket
Question: Hello, I have purchased an estate piece, an engraved 1 inch round gold locket with an intricate design on the front with inset tiny jet stones.
On the back is an engraved letter initial.
My question concerns the marks on the inside of the locket.
When opened, the left side shows an engraved figural bee (insect) with the letters RBM over the top, and underneath ATRICE 1874.
The edge of the opposite side is marked as PAT. FEB. 10-03.
If you have any information concerning the bee and the other marks, I would be very grateful as I have not been able to find any reference to them.
Thank you so much.
Answer: G’day and many thanks for your query
I cannot find anything about these marks either so my best guess is all I can provide.
The Bee and RBM are the Maker’s Marks or Store Name but as there is NO World registry of Maker’s marks it means that basically anyone - anywhere - can make and stamp their jewelry with whatever mark they want.
You didn’t mention where you live or where the locket may have come from. As you can imagine - a Maker in say ‘Sweden’ (this is just an example you understand) would not have his marks registered in the USA.
The other marks - ATRICE 1874 suggest the date but it has been my experience in over 35 years of valuing jewelry - NOT to take that as gospel. We can’t PROVE it anyway.
The last marks may be the previous owner (PAT) who received this item (not as a new item) on their Birthday or Anniversary on Feb 10th 2003. Notice I didn’t suggest 1903 because it was not an accepted shorthand in those days to use 03 for the year.
So for what it’s worth (not much really) that’s all I can suggest. You may like to add your question to my blog at: http://how2valuejewelry.com/ as someone may have come across these marks.
But my best piece of advice is simply to enjoy it.
Hope this helps…
If you liked that, then try these...
How to Sell A Diamond When You’re Broke
How to Sell A Diamond When You're Broke
.
14K Watch Case Locket
14K Watch Case Locket Question: I've been hoping to find out who made this but it seems like gold marks are NOT as definitive as silver.
Gold Wedding Band Hallmarks
Question: I have found a gold wedding band which has a symbol I have never seen.
Repair On Antique Jewelry
Replacing prongs and tips.
Posted
on
Sunday, November 26th, 2006 at 7:19 am under
I also have a locket RBM Atrice 1874; no honey bee; does have pat 10-03; this was a gift from a grandfather to a grandmother on their wedding day approx 1928; i think there is a RB Macdonald from mass who did this kind of work; hope it helps
April 10th, 2007 at 2:26 pmThank you Lorie - This looks like GREAT information which would help everyone searching for this kind of reference.
If you are ever in Australia - let me ‘Shout you a Drink’ (aussie slang for buy you a beer….)
Many thanks for being part of the Antique Jewelry Fair Community.
April 17th, 2007 at 7:43 pmI also, have a locket that fixs your description to a tea. Have you found out anymore about were it came from? Mine was given to me by my grandmother about 40 years ago. We are from Rushford, Minnasota USA. Thank you for any help!
November 30th, 2007 at 4:27 amKIM
I also have a locket like that, but does not have pat 10-03. Mine opens from the top. Mine was my grandmothers who had gotten it from her father in 1916, she was 13 years old when she got it for a birthday gift. She lived in central Oklahoma area at the time.
June 28th, 2008 at 11:45 pm