Gold Vs. Gold-Filled Markings

[Penchantment]

I have an Italian overlay safety from the 30s to the early 40s that bears on the cap a '750' marking as opposed to '18k'. The overlay bears no other markings aside from the manufacturer imprint and a very light, illegible hallmark (perhaps?). I recall someone saying that 18k gold-filled pens were marked '18k' while solid 18k gold pens were marked '750'. Can anyone confirm whether this was indeed the convention in Italy during this period?

[praxim]

"gold filled" is a term normally used for < 5% gold but at least 2.5%, from what I have read in other places. That is about a half to one karat.

 

"750" means 75%, which of 24K (theoretically pure gold) is 18, or 18k. They should be the same thing.

 

I have no idea of what mysterious conventions may have existed in Italy in the 1930s. If they were not following the above then they were flouting conventions existing elsewhere then and now.

 

I have several non-vintage pens with 18k nibs marked 750 rather than 18k, or 575 rather than 14k. It is normal.

[Penchantment]

Thanks very much for the insight! Perhaps I've been misunderstanding what the term 'gold filled' means, then, as I'd always assumed there could be 14k gold used in the process, 18k, or some other alloy mixture. Take for instance the markings on Parker 51 caps such as '1/10 16k gold filled' or '1/10 14k gold filled', which I've interpreted to mean that 1/10 of the cap was 16k or 14k gold and the other 9/10 was not gold (since neither 16k nor 14k is 1/10 gold). Hence my question as to whether the 750 on my pen indicated whether the pen was 18k gold filled or 18k gold with no "base" metal (I recognize that '750' and '18k' refer to the same stuff, ceteris paribus).

Edited February 19, 2018 by Estragon

[Penchantment]

All right, I found the source of my original assumption, which I apparently misread. Here's christof quoting Paolo from a thread in this subforum from 2012:

 

 

 

I had the same question and Paolo was so kind to send me an explanation via PM. That's what he wrote:

"18KR is the italian hallmark for gold filled items, pens, watches etc...
I collect vintage Aurora from 1994 and well know them,
few Aurora ( 3 only) in solid gold found in about 20 years
were differently marked 18K or 750/1000"

Thanks for your help Paolo.

 

The full thread: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/212625-aurora-safety-with-overlay/?hl=overlay

 

So perhaps I should rephrase my original question: Are there ANY markings on vintage Italian overlays that can be used to distinguish gold (whatever the specific composition of the alloy) from gold-filled pens?

Edited February 19, 2018 by Estragon

[praxim]

"Solid gold" which is not 24k is an alloy. Where there is < 5% it is normally a layering process, or "filled", which according to jewellery sites means that gold is bonded to another metal, a bit above gold plate but still only 5% of the item weight.

 

18k and 750 both mean an alloy which is 75% gold. "Filled" in that context should only mean that this gold, normally nominated as solid or real, is overlayed on another metal.

 

I am unfamiliar with Parker's approach to naming. I speculate that the term 1/10th 14k gold means that 10% of the item weight comprises 14k gold, over the entire item (e.g. cap or barrel) rather than only one portion of it. A Parkerite may be able enlighten us.

 

eta: I would prefer a jeweller or goldsmith weighed in at this point.

Edited February 19, 2018 by praxim

[aardvarkbark]

You may want to ask Marco at novelli.it. He posts here as Novelli, so I imagine you can PM him too.

[Vintagepens]

Your understanding is correct.
The fraction refers to the metal laminate, rather than to the entire component incorporating that laminate.
"18KR" is the Italian marking for gold filled, using an 18K surface layer.
"750" would indicate solid gold, not laminated.
Reference page here: http://www.vintagepens.com/FAQmfr/gold_filled_pens.shtml

 

Thanks very much for the insight! Perhaps I've been misunderstanding what the term 'gold filled' means, then, as I'd always assumed there could be 14k gold used in the process, 18k, or some other alloy mixture. Take for instance the markings on Parker 51 caps such as '1/10 16k gold filled' or '1/10 14k gold filled', which I've interpreted to mean that 1/10 of the cap was 16k or 14k gold and the other 9/10 was not gold (since neither 16k nor 14k is 1/10 gold). Hence my question as to whether the 750 on my pen indicated whether the pen was 18k gold filled or 18k gold with no "base" metal (I recognize that '750' and '18k' refer to the same stuff, ceteris paribus).

[Penchantment]

Thank you kindly for confirming this, David. Don't know what we'd do without you round these parts!

[Vintagepens]

Always glad to help!