{"product_id":"victorian-sterling-silver-albert-chain-birmingham-1891-fetter-link-43-2g","title":"Victorian Sterling Silver Albert Chain, Birmingham 1891, Fetter Link, 43.2g","description":"\u003cp\u003eA Victorian sterling silver Albert chain, hallmarked to Birmingham in 1891, with a 9 carat gold dog clip fitted at one end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMetal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sterling silver, with one 9 carat gold dog clip\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e JH\u0026amp;S\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAssay Office:\u003c\/strong\u003e Birmingham, England\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late Victorian, 1891\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e 16.5 inches (42 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLink width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.9 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLink thickness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.2 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 43.2 grams\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClasps:\u003c\/strong\u003e Silver dog clip at one end, 9 carat gold dog clip at the other\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHallmarks\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLion passant, the British mark for sterling silver, on each link\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnchor for the Birmingham Assay Office\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDate letter r for 1891\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJH\u0026amp;S maker's mark\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e9 and .375 with a faded maker's mark on the gold dog clip\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach link is individually hallmarked, so the silver and the 1891 date can be read along the whole chain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Piece\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLong fetter links alternate with short round cable links, the standard Albert arrangement built to carry a pocket watch. The proportions here are generous, with links nearly 8 mm across.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSterling Albert chains were the everyday version of the gold ones and were made in far greater numbers, but they were also worn harder. Finding one at 43 grams with every link still marked and no weak joints is less common than the plain numbers suggest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two ends do not match, and that is deliberate. One dog clip is the original silver one carrying the JH\u0026amp;S mark. The other is 9 carat gold, hallmarked 9 and .375, and was fitted later to bring a bit of warmth into the piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStyling\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 16.5 inches it sits just below the collarbone. The mixed metal ends mean it already reads as a piece that has been lived with rather than kept in a drawer, and it layers easily with gold since the gold clip does the bridging for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAuthentication \u0026amp; Metal Verification\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis piece has been tested using XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) analysis to confirm gold purity and authenticity. Both the silver chain and the 9 carat gold dog clip have been tested. In addition to the British hallmarks on every link, we have verified the composition of each part. We will provide the purchaser with a copy of the XRF report for their records. This is an extra level of transparency rarely available with antique jewelry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery good antique condition. Hallmarks are readable throughout, some a little faded. Every link is hallmarked. Links are in good condition with no weak joints.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease note:\u003c\/strong\u003e One of the two dog clips is not original to the chain. The 9 carat gold dog clip was added later to make the piece more wearable with gold. It is hallmarked 9 and .375 and has been XRF tested. The silver dog clip at the other end is original and carries the JH\u0026amp;S mark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll estate, vintage and antique jewelry is sold AS IS, with no repairs or enhancements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis listing is for one necklace only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like what you see, please follow along at @sterlingstyleshop on Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/sterlingstyleshop\/\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs always, if you have any questions or would like additional photos or video, please message me.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sterling Style Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48230561743074,"sku":"235","price":1409.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0720\/9435\/1586\/files\/SKU0235-3909.jpg?v=1787011316","url":"https:\/\/sterlingstyleshop.com\/products\/victorian-sterling-silver-albert-chain-birmingham-1891-fetter-link-43-2g","provider":"Sterling Style Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}