Author: Donna Welch

Dear Donna,

Can you answer a couple questions on this bracelet for me? Like could it be real gold? Age?

What are the stones?

Catherine

Dear Catherine,

I can try to answer your questions but to be 100 percent certain you should have it looked at.

Jewelry can be tough to determine age on sometimes, but whether it’s gold or not should be easy. Somewhere on the bracelet there should be a mark or marks that would say, for example, 10kt. If it says just that then you could be safe thinking it is real gold. If it’s followed by anything like GF or gold plated then it just has a coat of gold over another metal. It could be over sterling silver, brass, etc.

If it were real gold you can also assume the stones would be more than a colored glass. Value would be in the range of $200. If it’s not gold and just considered a piece of costume jewelry

the value would be in the range of $20, though depending on the maker the values of some costume jewelry can be high. This is why you should always take it to someone you can trust to tell you the value!

Dear Donna,

I came across these in my parents’ basement. Not sure what they are but they seem to be in good unused condition. Any information would be appreciated.

— Marsha

Dear Marsha,

What you have are marking tacks from the George B Graff Co. They produced these racks in the early 1900s along with other products in Cambridge, Mass.

Your celluloid plastic-covered ones could have been used for map markings or anything that needs number tracking. It’s nice to see them in such good condition.

The value for the lot would be in the range of $40. It would be interesting to see what you could use them for today.

Dear Donna,

Looking to find out a value on this footstool.

Cathy

Dear Cathy,

Your stool looks sweet. At one time it was probably used every day.

It looks like this stool would have been from the Victorian era (late 1800s). It has what are called cabriole style legs with a hand-done needlepoint seat. Strawberries are always a pleasing design.

Antique stools have always been helpful, used for foot lifts, gout, providing extra height, etc. So your stool probably has many stories to tell. The value would be in the range of $70, because it looks to be in good clean condition.

Thanks for sharing and hope your stool stays home with you.