VINTAGE 1950s PSI OMEGA ALPHA CHAPTER DENTAL FRATERNITY
10K GOLD WATCH KEY FOB / PENDANT CHARM
4.88 GRAMS • HOME TESTED
A distinctive mid-century Psi Omega (ΨΩ) professional dental fraternity watch-key fob with Alpha Chapter insignia, period hand engraving, documented estate provenance, and multiple independent home tests consistent with 10K gold.
This original piece is attributed through estate provenance to Dr. Guy Sullivan O’Brien, Jr. of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Dr. O’Brien earned his B.S. from Furman University in 1954 before attending the University of Maryland dental school in Baltimore, receiving his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1958. He subsequently served as a Captain and dentist in the United States Army Dental Corps from 1958–1961 before entering private dental practice.
Psi Omega was founded in Baltimore at the historic Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, and this example prominently bears the raised “ALPHA” chapter designation.
The reverse is period hand engraved:
G.S.O.
corresponding to Dr. Guy S. O’Brien, Jr.
DESIGN
This finely made square watch-key fob features a textured guilloché-style field surrounded by a raised beveled border.
The face displays:
• Greek letters Ψ and Ω
• Raised “ALPHA” chapter designation
• Triangular Delta motif
• Central staff with entwined serpent
• Laurel / botanical elements
• Double upper suspension rings
• Lower watch-key style stem
The reverse is smooth apart from the original hand-engraved initials “G.S.O.”
The combination of dental symbolism, Alpha Chapter identification, personalized engraving, and traditional watch-key form makes this an especially interesting piece of vintage professional and fraternal jewelry.
10K GOLD — HOME TESTING RESULTS
This piece carries no visible manufacturer hallmark or original karat stamp.
Because of that, the metal was carefully evaluated using several independent home-testing methods.
WEIGHT:
Approximately 4.88 grams
MAGNET TEST:
Completely non-magnetic.
ACID SCRATCH TESTING:
A substantial streak taken from an inconspicuous area remained intact when tested with 10K gold testing solution and slowly dissolved when exposed to 14K testing solution.
The test was then repeated using a deeper second scratch from the same inconspicuous area.
The second test produced the same result:
• Holds under 10K acid
• Dissolves under 14K acid
These reactions are consistent with approximately 10K gold.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY / DENSITY TESTING:
Two independent hydrostatic specific-gravity tests were also performed.
Test 1:
Approx. 10.84 g/cm³
Test 2:
Approx. 11.09 g/cm³
Average:
Approx. 10.97 g/cm³
This density is also consistent with a 10K gold alloy.
Taken together, the repeated acid results, approximately 10.97 specific gravity, 4.88 gram weight, and non-magnetic response all support identification of the piece as approximately 10K gold.
IMPORTANT TESTING DISCLOSURE
Testing was performed at home and this piece has NOT been professionally XRF analyzed, electronically assayed, or laboratory certified.
It is being represented as 10K gold based upon multiple consistent home tests rather than an original karat hallmark or professional assay.
The individual suspension rings and soldered components have not been separately assayed for karat purity.
Please review the photographs and testing information provided and make your own determination prior to purchase.
ITEM DETAILS
Organization:
Psi Omega (ΨΩ) Professional Dental Fraternity
Chapter:
Alpha Chapter
Association:
University of Maryland dental school / historic Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, Baltimore, Maryland
Era:
Circa 1954–1958
Original Owner / Provenance:
Dr. Guy Sullivan O’Brien, Jr.
Reverse Engraving:
G.S.O.
Type:
Fraternal pocket watch key / watch fob / pendant / charm
Metal:
Gold — Home Tested
Purity:
Tests consistent with approximately 10K gold
Hallmarks:
No original karat or manufacturer marks observed
Weight:
Approximately 4.88 grams
Total Length:
Approximately 1.25 inches including upper suspension rings
Country of Origin:
United States
CONDITION
Excellent vintage condition with crisp, well-preserved relief detail and an attractive naturally aged finish.
The fine textured background, raised lettering, Greek symbols, central dental emblem, and engraved reverse remain clearly defined.
There is subtle surface wear, edge toning, and natural patina consistent with age and careful handling.
The piece has intentionally NOT been polished in order to preserve its original historic surface, engraving, and character.
Both upper suspension rings remain present and securely attached.
Please examine all photographs closely, as they are considered an important part of the description.
PROVENANCE & HISTORICAL INTEREST
The hand-engraved “G.S.O.” initials and accompanying estate provenance associate this piece with Dr. Guy Sullivan O’Brien, Jr.
Dr. O’Brien attended dental school in Baltimore during the 1950s and received his D.D.S. in 1958. Based upon the owner history, Alpha Chapter designation, period engraving, form, and provenance, this piece is attributed to approximately 1954–1958.
It represents an unusual intersection of vintage gold jewelry, dental history, fraternal memorabilia, university history, and personalized professional provenance.
An appealing piece for collectors of:
• Psi Omega fraternity memorabilia
• Vintage dental and medical collectibles
• University of Maryland dental history
• Baltimore College of Dental Surgery memorabilia
• Vintage fraternal jewelry
• 10K gold charms and pendants
• Pocket watch keys and watch fobs
• Engraved estate jewelry
• Mid-century professional memorabilia
• Historic dental collectibles
A small but exceptionally interesting survivor from the golden age of professional fraternity jewelry.
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