ABOUT:
Timeless antique old mine cut diamond stud earrings in 18k gold. The buttercup type settings each hold a 0.5 carat old mine cut diamond (which appears as a sort of organic, free form cushion cut). The posts, base of the earring and Alpa style push backs are in yellow gold.
The push backs are the Alpa style with the spring loaded push buttons to secure them at the end of the earring post. They have little “buttons” on each side so you squeeze the push back to run it down the post. These can be pushed in all the way to the back of the earring. So they are in No danger of falling off because with the push buttons, they latch onto a little catch at the end of the ear post, meaning the push backs cannot be removed unless you manually press those little buttons on each side. About as secure as you can get for earrings.
Found in France, the push backs are stamped 750 - the numerical hallmarking system used in Europe for 18k gold. They are also stamped ALPA, 18k Megan. I believe the push backs are later / more modern than the earrings themselves.
Antique boxes / items in displays in photos are not included. Please note the measurements as I have small hands and it can be difficult to decipher scale from photos, especially with the zoomed images that I am required to present for detail.
MEASUREMENTS:
The diamonds are each about 5.2mm cushion cuts weighing half a carat give or take. This is an estimate as I do not remove stones from antique settings for exact measurements and I could not get an exact depth on the stones as they are set. These antique diamonds are actually on the "spready" side, so they face up a bit larger than their carat weight. But measure around 1 carat total for the pair. The faces of the earrings with the prongs and outline are 7.7mm.
The pair weighs 2.8 grams.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
The posts are a little bit short and a larger gauge compared to some but very wearable and nice quality.
The diamonds are eye clean with just some faint frosty inclusions seen under magnification. They have the most beautiful warm to pale yellow color that we antique diamond enthusiasts love to find from the period. One is a bit more in the yellow hue than the other but they match well while wearing. One has some nibbles to the girdle and a frosty flake of loss to the top edge of the girdle. The stone is still complete in its shape, it's just that the surface shows an unpolished spot from the flake of loss. This is slightly eye visible.
Some wear to the prongs as expected for age. One is completely worn back on one earring, the other has two that are worn back. But neither of the stones move and there is enough remaining on the other prongs to hold it. But this is something to keep an eye on over time. Reinforcement can always be done by your local jeweler if desired, but we typically like to see the minimum amount of work done on antiques vs. making them "like new".
Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : )
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )
SOCIAL:
Please feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on Instagram for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews! And check out my website www.MousesHouseAntiques.com as I can add more pics there so you can get extra looks : )
All items hand picked by me, one at a time from all over the world. All listings individually written by me, and not AI, after studying each piece to discuss its beauties and its ; ) eccentricities (which I am picky to point out).
Box #n.352
