High School Ring Appraisal

1949 Wauwatosa High School Class Ring

This is a vintage 1949 class ring from Wauwatosa High School, likely made of 10k or 14k yellow gold with black enamel accents. The central rectangular face features a raised silver-toned or white gold architectural motif, possibly representing a specific school building or tower, set against a black enamel background. Above the building is a banner engraved with 'WAUWATOSA' and below it are the initials 'HS'. The shoulders of the ring are prominently dated with '19' on the left side and '49' on the right, also recessed into black enamel blocks. The overall construction is robust and characteristic of mid-century scholastic jewelry design. There is visible wear consistent with age, including softening of the high-point details on the architectural crest and minor scratches and scuffs on the gold metal surfaces. The black enamel appears mostly intact, though there may be slight thinning or microscopic pitting at the edges. No internal maker's marks are visible in this orientation, but such rings were typically produced by companies like Jostens or Balfour. The ring shows a natural patina in recessed areas, indicating it has not been recently polished, which is desirable for maintaining its vintage integrity. The craftsmanship reflects the high standards of post-WWII commemorative jewelry, utilizing multi-toned metals and precision enameling.