Theda Sterling Silver Medals, Crosses, Jewelry Q&A

Quickstart:
     Theda was a trade name of the Ideal Jewelry Mfg. Co. of Providence, RI
     Although they made more valuable pieces, they are probably best known for their sterling silver religious medals. As a catholic grammar schooler through the fifties, the editor thinks most kids of that age wore such in that time period. Thus most of it is probably not really old or valuable. eBay has several hundred Theda pieces if you want to look for a match or something similar.

Theda silver crucifix on eBay (affil link)]
     Theda silver hearts with crosses on eBay (affil link)]
         Theda silver Saint Christopher medals on eBay (affil link)]

Q. My question is if this cross I purchased recently is stamped STERLING THEDA ( which is true 925 silver) why is it very magnetic?

Is it just a fake stamp? Or silver plated? Please help me know your thoughts, thanks.

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Q. I received a simple "silver" cross as a birthday gift from sister way back in the 70's. It is stamped "Sterling Theda" on the back. Since we were both college students at the time, I assumed that this meant that it was some type of ersatz silver-looking substitute that contained some silver. However, I did understand that the term "sterling" implied a guaranteed % of real silver. Over the years it blackened slightly at the edges that wore against my chest. After recently ruining the previously replaced chain by using pure sulfur soap on my face in the shower, my wife took it to a jewelry store who cleaned it free of charge to the original shiny silver appearances of both chain & cross. Now I noticed that the edges are blackening slightly again. I became curious as to what exactly "theda" meant/was. A search of the internet did not reveal a definitive description but some descriptions of old jewelry for sale on eBay seemed to make the connection with Rhodium by stating that the piece for sale was stamped "Sterling Theda" on the back & including "rhodium coated" in the description.
What is the derivation of the stamp "Sterling Theda" on the back of jewelry? Is it Rhodium-coated sterling silver? Is "Theda" a proprietary term used by one company years ago?

 Thanks, Mark.

Q. My name is Lawrence, I have a similar piece of jewelry that is a cross within a cross. And it is stamped "Sterling Theda" as well. I am curious if someone could help me figure out it's age and origin. I would very much appreciate it. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

"American Jewelry Manufacturers"
by Dorothy T. Rainwater

on eBay or Amazon
or AbeBooks

(affil link)

A. Hi Lawrence. These are often on eBay in the $25 to $50 asking price range.

Theda silver crucifix on eBay (affil link)]

It can't be older than 1921 since Mark tells us that's when Theda was started. Sorry, I don't know additional history.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

Q. I also have a piece that was given to me with the STERLING THEDA printed on the back. My grandmother's partner passed in 2006 and she told me to take it, it was in his jewelry bowl. Any clues?

A. Hi Gina. There are usually a number of Theda sterling St. Christopher medals on eBay from about $4 to about $95.

Theda silver Saint Christopher medals on eBay (affil link)]

When I was in catholic grammar school in the 1950s lots of kids, and sometimes their parents, wore St. Christopher, Crucifix, or "Miraculous Medal" things like that on a chain around their neck. I didn't pay attention at the time, but apparently Theda made most of them. Although they are 60+ years old, they were so common that the odds of any of them selling for over $100 seem slim ... but I think yours is prettier than most, so enjoy it :-)

Luck & Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

Q. I acquired this pendant at an estate sale today. It's marked 'sterling theda' on the reverse. I believe the front has Marcasite points on it.

Any feedback is welcomed on this piece. Thank you.

Q. I have a piece of my late Mom's jewelry that I believe (through my research) to be a Sterling Silver Marcasite Rose and necklace. But my main question is that it is stamped on the TER THEDA with the THEDA below the TER.
It doesn't look as though any letters (such as S_ _ _ LING) are missing. The pendant is like brand new. Is this indicative of a Sterling Silver abbreviation?

Thank you for your help.

"Jewelry Identification and Price Guide"
by Warman

on AbeBooks

or eBay or

Amazon

(affil link)

A. Hi, Charlie. No it's not a recognized abbreviation.

But I've poorly stamped return addresses on envelopes and endorsements on checks many times, and I suspect that metal stampers occasionally suffer the same errors as rubber stamps :-)

Luck & Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

Ted,
Thank you for your speedy response although it was not the one I was looking for! lol
I appreciate you getting back to be so quickly.

Best regards,
Charlie

Q. Hi everyone. Found this piece metal detecting.

Found out Theda meant it was made by the Ideal Mfg. Co. based out of Providence Rhode Island. I know the company was formed in 1921 and dissolved in 1994. Just curious if there was some way to figure out a date range based on the item. 60's, 70's etc.

Q. I purchased an old army bag from a thrift store. When I got home and took a look at it I found a a crucifix and chain in the bottom of the bag. It looks to be old; all I want to ask anybody if they had any information on it.

Gentle Readers:

This meeting place welcomes Q&As, photos, history, & interesting tidbits  🙂

Please engage with other posters

• When people show interest in each other's situations, the page quickly becomes a fun & informative learning experience for everyone !

• When people show no interest in other people's postings, and just post their own, it often quickly deteriorates into a string of unanswered questions

A. Hi Chad. It's stamped "Sterling Theda" so the other comments about sterling and about the Theda company apply.
Because it's sterling, a "We Buy Gold" store would probably offer two or three dollars for it, maybe a bit more if the chain is sterling/
I suppose it always possible that some piece of Theda sterling jewelry out there might be substantially valuable, but appraisal services aren't free and there are always hundreds of similar pieces on eBay , offered in the $5 to $25 range. Luck & Regards,


Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

Thanks for Your quick response.
I'm going to keep it, I just thought there was a makers mark of some sort, but it's possible an indentation.

! Hi, my name is Art and aways back, probably in the 80's, I found this medallion in the dirt. It DOES say 'sterling theda' on the back but I was unable to capture that in a pic it was so small and worn. You can tell from where this would attach to a chain it was worn for a very long time.

I would never sell this and know as a medallion it's not worth much. I know it will never happen but I would gladly give this back to the owner if I met him or her :-)

Q. I have a sterling theda heart with a cross; the chain is not silver, just a chain. Wow this is interesting. Now don't know if I can load photo or not but that's what I have and have not seen it shown here. Any suggestions?