Why would my antique silver ring be marked 18k?

-I inherited some jewelry from my grandmother, and before I have it appraised, I was curious if anyone would know why my "seemingly" silver ring with a blue gem be marked 18k? (very faintly- looks as if worn down)18K or 18ct is a purity of white gold commonly used in the UK and Australia - is it possible the jewellery came from there? As it is old, the white gold may be a dull grey colour (when new it is rhodium plated giving it a hard silvery shine). If it is 18ct white gold the blue gem may also be a precious gem eg. sapphire.



Be sure to take it to a respected valuer and as it has gemstones in it, a valuer who is also a gemmologist would be preferable to avoid any misidentification of the stone(s).It's NOT silver, it's WHITE GOLD.



How much did they say is the 'value'?



Once I bought a ring with diamonds (marked silver, priced as silver) @ the same pawn shop, I had it sized for free.

He said: "sorry it took a little longer, because it's platinum." I KNEW THAT, it says right there, 'plat', because I could spot a platinum anywhere. I've owned them for years!



But, they gave me for the price of SILVER.
Maybe it's white gold.