Maker's mark. Vintage Akoya Japanese, but I don't know who

[A Breaker]

This is a new maker's mark to me. I am very sure it is from Japan & the pearls are Akoya. A

ny idea who would have had this mark?

 

[KarinK]

It is almost always the mark of the company that made the findings. It usually doesn't have anything to do with the pearls except that it was used for those pearls. So it is rare that it will help find out who put the pearls together and sold them.

 

[A Breaker]

Actually this is a brooch.

 

[BWeaves]

If it's marked "Sterling" that usually means it was made in America. Japan marked their silver "Silver" or "S".

 

[pattye]

What are the numbers after Sterling?

 

[BWeaves]

What are the numbers after Sterling?

Looks like Sterling 850 to me.

 

[pattye]

Looks like Sterling 850 to me.

Thanks, I thought that also, but wasn't sure I read it correctly. From online search "An 850 mark could also indicate 85% pure silver, as in the case of 850 silver, a less pure alloy than sterling silver. So likely it is incorrectly marked as Sterling. Interesting.

 

[BWeaves]

Thanks, I thought that also, but wasn't sure I read it correctly. From online search "An 850 mark could also indicate 85% pure silver, as in the case of 850 silver, a less pure alloy than sterling silver. So likely it is incorrectly marked as Sterling. Interesting.

Yeah, I thought that was an odd combination of marks, too.

 

[Pella]

I thought it said 950 which being Japanese and vintage, tends to fit. Often they were marked 950 with the sterling mark I think for selling in other countries and because 950 exceeded the requirements for sterling.

 

[pattye]

@A Breaker, we need your help! What do the numbers look like to you, 850 or 950? Thank you!