Sold For:  or Sign In to see what it's worth.

My wife and I have decided to offer some of the Masonic pendants that she has accumulated during her years in the jewelry trade. Prior to our marriage seven years ago she was associated with the Masonic organization for some 40 years. I have been a Mason for over 50 years.

My wife is a certified appraiser of jeweler and is qualified as an expert witness in court. That be said, we have established asking prices for all of the Masonic pendants we are offering for sale. Many factors go into establishing the price, including the weight of the pendant, the price of gold, the condition and complexity of the piece, and if it has any precious stones. These, and all the pendants we are listing were appraised in 2002 when gold was about $300 per ounce. Gold was at $717.60 per ounce at the time of this listing but the appraised value has not been adjusted.

This pendant, like all in the collection, has been fully restored. All jump rings have been "built up" to eliminate the possibility of loss while wearing it. It is 1 1/2" long and 7/8" wide. Its weight is 18.7 grams.

In addition to describing the condition and complexity, and if t were any precious stones, you will notice I included the weight (in grams) of all the pendant listed. Grams are a common unit for the weight of gold, but most people do not relate to grams as well as they to ounces. T are 31 grams in an ounce. So the pendants listed weigh (in ounces) is 18.7/31 grams, the equivalent of 0.603 ounces.

This is a hinged pendant with a Scottish Rite 32 nd Degree Double-headed Eagle on the front.

A Knights Templar Crown and Cross inside a Maltese Cross on the back. The Latin phrase In Hoc Signo Vinces (By this sign we conquer) is inscribed around the crown/cross. A helmeted Knight is mounted on the top of the pendant that includes a movable face mask.

Opening the hinged front reveals Scottish Rite Prince of Jerusalem 16 th Degree. The inclusion of the 16 th Degree on the pendant suggests is was from the Northern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite since the Council of Princes of Jerusalem in one of the four Bodies in the Northern Jurisdiction but not in the Southern Jurisdiction.

The name W. P. Welker is engraved on the section opposite the 16th Degree. You have the option of engraving your name and/or Masonic history on this section or leaving the name as it was engraved almost 100 years ago.

Opening the back reveals the Scottish Rite Knight Rose Croix 18 th Degree on one side and the York Rite Royal Ach Mason Keystone on the other. Surrounding the keystone are the Masonic Blue Lodge Square and Compass, a skull and cross-bones, a red cross with swords pointing to is, and a setting mall and trowel. The photo show a disoloration in the lower left but this is a reflection only. The pendant is not discolored.

All the enamel is in excellent shape. The gold has been tested as 10K. It should be noted that although it is common to think 14K gold is "good" and 10K gold is "not as good", this thinking does not apply to gold pendants circa early 1900's.

14K gold has a greater thermal coefficient of expansion than enamel used in that era. In order to compensate, lower gold karat was used to match the gold to the enamel so that it would not crack, craze, or fall off as a result of temperature changes. This pendant is a prime example of how well early artisans were able to match the gold and enamel.

Bid with confidence. This is a beautiful pendant.

Items in the Worthopedia are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.

Flag item for content or copyright.