An Italian 18 karat (18K) white and yellow gold love charm pendant designed as a white gold heart with a sculpted rose set with two ruby flower buds. To the right-hand side an inset yellow gold medallion with a rebus spelling out "piu di ieri, meno di domani" ("More than yesterday, less than tomorrow") - a line taken from the love poem written by Rosemonde Gerard to her husband (the author of Cyrano) in 1889. The word "piu" is symbolised by a plus sign, and the word "meno" by a minus sign. The medal signed A. Augis, and the reverse marked 'Dep. A.A.' indicating that this is a licenced piece between UnoAErre and Augis. Stamped 750 for 18 karat gold, 1AR for Italian manufacture and UnoAErre, along with their maker's mark. Dimensions: 2.5 x 2.3 x 0.4 cm (not including jump ring) Weight: 3.88 grams (Chain not included)

Because of different gold testing practices, (traditional acid and stone test vs. eBay's Authenticity Guarantee electronic XRF digital gold testing machine), items stamped 14k may read or actually be between 13.5k-15k gold.  Until 1981, manufacturers of jewelry could use gold that was 13.5 karat or higher and round off, thus still stamping it 14k.  Much of the jewelry sold on eBay is older than 1981.

In the same way, French 18 karat jewellery stamped with the eagle’s head guarantee mark or the owl import mark for 18 karat gold may actually be between 17.35k-19k.

Where relevant, items have been tested for purity using the KEE Electronic Gold Tester, and have been listed according to the results gained from this analogue tool.