ABOUT:
My favorite part about these glittery earrings are the mix of old cut diamonds. Each cluster holds nine diamonds in foiled and closed back settings. Most of them are rose cuts with some being a fabulous triangular shape. A few of the diamonds in each are old mine cuts - not uncommon to find as jewelers of the period used whatever they had available to them.
These French antique earrings are a lovely setting as well, with the clusters added by a loop and a wire behind to guide them to dangle side by side. The lever backs clip into the ear wire that are inserted from the front of the ear. Ball rivet details in gold set above each cluster.
A wonderful moody sparkle with some of the diamonds portraying pink hues from organic aging to the closed backs. These were meant to be worn in candlelight and fireside settings
No hallmarks remain. Sold to me as 18k which is the standard in France and tested to confirm.
Antique box is not included. Please note the measurements as I have small hands and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures.
SIZE & MEASUREMENTS:
They measure about 23mm top to bottom, the setting is 11mm wide. The largest center diamonds are 4mm and 5mm, the larger being a very unique and organic shape. The smaller rose cuts are 2 to 3.5mm again in varying shapes and sizes. Varying depths as well, as some of the rose cuts are sliced thinner than others which have domed tops. The old mine cuts have their typical high crowns with chunky cuts. In these closed back settings it isn't possible to determine the exact size of the stones, but the pair are at least 1 1/4 carat total weight in diamonds just using conservative estimates by millimeter and since there are 19 of them / 1.25Ctw.
The pair weigh 5.4 grams combined.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
As with all my pieces this is in estate condition. Typical antique rose cut diamonds that were cut by hand with irregular shapes and natural inclusions but they have a nice moody sparkle with all 18 of them catching the light. They have nicks, rough edges, irregular and frosty and nibbled sides, they may have always just been cut that way since they were cut by hand. Age to the foil backs giving them warm to gray hues and some pink hues. Some patina and verdigris to the silver. Still nicely shaped and wearable. There is wear to the prongs and diamonds but earrings are by nature gently worn. But as with all my pre-owned pieces - Please note this is not a mint condition item.
I enjoy making my customers happy and matching unique pieces with new homes. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions! It means a lot to me that you are visiting my shop! : )
Thanks so much for looking at my items!
Box# S.42$
