Antique Aluminum Wedding Band?

B

BilljustBill

Established Users
I've been metal detecting since 2000. Today, I found what appears to be an Aluminuim wedding band. Somewhere I heard that Aluminum was once consider as precious a metal as gold and platinum. Do you know anything about wedding bands being used in the 1800's?
Thank you for your help,
Bill
 
Hey Bill,
Welcome to the forum. Yes, in the 1880's Aluminum was once considered a semiprecious metal. Actually the top of the dome on the Washington Monument was made from aluminum.
Not to burst your bubble, but I don't think any antique rings were made from aluminum. During the Victorian Period, Gold and Platinum (including gold filled) were the metals of choice for jewelry.
How deep was this ring located in ground, and where was it found.
:lol:
Donna
 
Donna,

Thank you for your information. I found it in the front yard of an old house...and it was only 3" or 4" deep. What was odd was the deep 'foil' sound with the cursor at the very bottom of the screen. The only other ring I've found that sounded that deep of tone was a tiny 10kt gold baby's ring.

Inside this newly found ring are two names that seem to be engrave with tiny holes forming the letters. When the ring came out of the ground, unlike dull aluminum articles I usually find, it was shiny and smooth, making me think it might be white gold or platinum until I got back home with a magnifying glass.

Could you give me any web links or book titles about Aluminum rings?

Thanks again,
Bill
 
Bill,
Thank you for your reply. First of all, I dont' have any books on aluminum rings or websites. I've been buying/selling antiques & collectibles for about 35 years, and the information I have is aquired. I'm in no way an expert on antique jewelry, but I don't ever remember seeing an antique aluminum ring. Someone could have 'Mammy made' one, but 'in general,' aluminum was not used 100 yrs. ago for jewelry. However, aluminum has been used recently to make some jewelry, and I've seen aluminum napkin rings. I've also seen 'modern' aluminum 'O' rings (at a hardware store) and aluminum O rings used for kite flying. All of which are very bright and shiny.
What makes you think the ring is aluminum and not silver? Is it a 'coin ring' by chance? Back in the 50's it was a fun thing to drill a hole in a Silver Quarter, and then beat the edges until it was flat. If you can post a picture, I'd love to see it.
Good Luck, and let us know if you find out something about it.
Southern Smiles,
Donna
 
What makes you think the ring is aluminum and not silver?

Hello Donna,

I have a Minelab XS detector. It's unique format not only show visually what it finds in the ground, but also it has a sound. On silver rings, quarters, and the new dollar coins, the sounds are a very high pitch. On gold, platinum, 5-cent nickels, titaninum, and tin foil, the sound is a very low pitch. So, I know it isn't silver, 100%.

I'll try scanning the ring and making a picture of it by the weekend.

Thanks again for your experience,
Bill
 
Hey Gang,

Aluminum was first "made" in a lab in 1825. However, the metal did not make it into a "production" mode until the late 1880s. Then it still took many, many years to enjoy widespread use.

Hope this helps with dating the ring.

Good luck.

Rodney
 
It is a common sense that gold is very percious and now more and more people like the gold metal, and more and more people now join ge group of hunting for treasure and gold. This is like the "gold rush". But what is different form before is that now people use more advanced equippmemt to help them to find the gold. And it seems among different equippments, people like the gold metal detectors most, because that such a device can help them to identify the detail information of the metal so that people can find it in a short time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top