The “PAT” refers to “patent pending” and was used on Trifari clasps. Like Monet, these would be fake gold and fake pearls. The pearls in the necklaces are all exactly the same size and shape and have no overtones, so since the clasps are costume jewelry, I’m guessing the pearls are, too.

What does patented mean on earrings?

Jewelry patents were common in the past when jewelry designs couldn’t be copyrighted. A design patent protects the way a manufactured product looks but not the way it works or how it’s structured. Businesses can protect their intellectual property rights over an original design by applying for patent protection.

Do real pearls discolor?

Like many things in life, pearls age. As these precious gems age, they go through a natural process that changes the composition of the organic substances that make them up. This causes them to change color. Yellow pearls typically indicate that pearls are real since artificial pearls don’t normally change color.

What does des PAT PEND stand for in jewelry?

PEND.” (sometimes “DES. PAT. PEND.”) to indicate that the patent had been submitted and was pending approval. Once the patent was approved, companies could then stamp the patent number on the jewelry. In some cases, a design was patented, but the jewelry may not have a patent stamp, as in this lovely 1941 Coro brooch.

Where is the patent number on a piece of jewelry?

Typically, the patent number will be in an unobtrusive spot that won’t interfere with the look of the piece. This patent represents the number the company received when they registered their design with the United States government. You can use the patent number to find out more about the company or about the piece.

What do the purity marks on gold jewelry mean?

Common Jewelry Marks Gold Purity Marks. Purity marks on gold jewelry will consist of a two-digit number followed by the letter “k,” or a three-digit number. The letter “k” refers to karats, where pure gold is composed of 24 karats (24k).

What does 14k gold plated jewelry stamp mean?

This means 14k gold plated, but this does not give any information as to what the base metal is. Gold is the same as silver in that it is much too soft on its own. There are several variations of gold mixes and these are what they actually stand for.