Identify Jewelry Mark

[LFK88]

Hello all!

Been reading about pearls and would like to know more about a strand that my MIL gave me.

1. Feels smooth, I think they are imitations but would like to know what brand - maybe Majorica?
2. No box or paperwork
3. My MIL gave them to me a few years ago and she has had it for a few decades
4. The tag near the clasp states 14K MB CTO (R) on one side, and maybe BA on the other side
5. All pearls are 10mm

Thank you!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I would like to know what the back of the clasp says-- metal mark or brand mark. Check the tongue also.
Does it state Majorica specifically?
Is it stamped 925? (Vermeil-- gold plating over silver).

The reason I ask is that the clasp and the little corrugated cone end beads are just like certain Majorica necklaces I own, but the quality of the imitation pearl is not quite up to Majorica standards, looking at the puckered coating area around the drill holes.

However, there is (or was) an off-brand of Majorica for factory seconds. If it doesn't state Majorica, it may be that. I can't recall the name of the seconds line; it also starts with an M.

As to the charm, I found this that states 14K EMB indicates electroplated over base metal. Perhaps there is an "E" hidden under the plastic protective sleeve and it actually does read "EMB", not "MB".

What does 14k EMB mean on gold? - Answers

Oh, dude, 14k EMB on gold means it's 14 karat gold electroplated over a base metal. So, like, it's not solid gold, but it's got a nice shiny layer of gold on the surface. It's like the gold version of a spray tan.

www.answers.com

Having looked online I see a number of 14K and even 10K charms that have a diamond (or could it be a rhinestone?) and EMB CTO ® (not MB but EMB) and the black stylized MB logo on the front of the charm-- see this 1970s Bank of America tie tack listed on Etsy for example:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1406422611/vintage-14k-bank-of-america-tie-tack?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=emb+cto&ref=sr_gallery-1-3&frs=1&sts=1&content_source=5fefe57fd4f16acf8508a8665a4f5bb74f97685f%253A1406422611&organic_search_click=1&logging_key=5fefe57fd4f16acf8508a8665a4f5bb74f97685f%3A1406422611

Here's one that is a charm for AAA:

14K EMB cTo Gold AAA Automobile Club California 2 Diamond Pendant Charm 2.79 Gr | eBay

Pendant has been acid tested and tests for 14K gold, the bale tests for 10K. Total weigh is 2.79 Grams including the diamonds. 13/16" long from top of bale to bottom tip of pendant x 7/16" wide. Coin in photo is a US Penny for size comparison purposes.

www.ebay.com

The same engraving (EMT CTO ®) is found on other items that seem to be either items given as awards (https://www.etsy.com/listing/1782214744/10k-gold-emb-cto-award-pin-tie-tack?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=emb+cto&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&content_source=088a98f707a2ba737fce9d25db0b7a8faded750b%3A1782214744&organic_search_click=1&logging_key=088a98f707a2ba737fce9d25db0b7a8faded750b:1782214744)

And here is another charm: (https://www.etsy.com/listing/1797925650/10k-emb-cto-yellow-gold-vintage-cannon?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=emb+cto&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&frs=1&sts=1&content_source=2ef91ba2ee7cb17ebee5ea64e4dc455d3abdd0bc%3A1797925650&organic_search_click=1&logging_key=2ef91ba2ee7cb17ebee5ea64e4dc455d3abdd0bc:1797925650)

So-- maybe the necklace was given as a retirement gift or award by a company your MIL worked for? I have a strand of Majorica that was given to GE employees.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

OP messaged me as follows:

Thank you for so much information!

My MIL did work for Bank of America in the past and the picture in the Etsy link is the same mark!

It didn’t come in the original box so I don’t have anything that states it is Majorica.

I appreciate all the information you have provided, thank you!

 

[pattye]

Impressive research, Pearl Dreams!

 

[Pearl Dreams]

Thans Pattye! It's always satisfying when mysteries are solved.

 

[Pella]

An internet search reveals that the CTO mark as depicted, was a registered trademark for O. C Tanner Jewelry Co of Salt Lake City from 1962 until expiry in 1987 for "ALL TYPES OF JEWELRY FOR PERSONAL WEAR OR ADORNMENT, SUCH AS FINGER RINGS, EARRINGS, LAPEL BUTTONS, LAPEL PINS, TIE PINS, TIE CLASPS, KEY CHAINS, AND MEDALLIONS, WHICH ITEMS OF JEWELRY MAY OR MAY NOT BEAR INSIGNIA OR EMBLEMS, AND PRECIOUS METAL REPRODUCTIONS,OF INSIGNIA OR EMBLEMS, SUCH AS EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION EMBLEMS, FRATERNAL EMBLEMS,SCHOOL EMBLEMS, AND INSIGNIA, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE ATTACHED TO JEWELRY OR OTHER ITEMS"