FRENCH Antique 18k GOLD & PLATiNUM .6 Carat Tdw Old Mine European Cut DIAMOND Dangle Dormeuse EARRINGs

ABOUT:

Beautiful French antique dangle earrings in two colors - buttery 18k gold with contrasting platinum prongs as was customary to set the diamonds in a white metal. Each earrings holds 3 old cut diamonds. The bottom larger prong set diamonds dangle separately from a loop to allow them to catch the light for more sparkle. At the top near the ear wire is an additional prong set antique diamond and below that a smaller bezel set diamond as little sparkly accents.

The largest diamonds are Old European Cuts, around .25 carat each, with the smaller diamonds being old single cuts. Total carat weight is around half a carat to 0.6 carat total weight in diamonds between the pair.

Belle Epoque era pair of earrings that I acquired in France. So romantic with the buttery antique gold with the old cut diamonds. But with a still relevant linear look. These are always so popular. Many of my French dormeuse are inserted from the back of the ear but these are even sturdier and less finicky in that they have a spring loaded hinged back with a little catch at the top, so they are inserted from the front of the ear, the backs then spring closed and they latch securely. These earrings are called "dormeuse" in French which translates to "sleeper", meant to be small, comfortable enough to sleep in, used in olden times to keep the ear holes open overnight : ) Of course these days we don't recommend all night 24/7 wear on these antique pieces with intricate 100 year old gold hinges. Having said that these are sturdier than most as mentioned.

Would be a beautiful something old for a bride.

No hallmarks remain but they were sold to me as 18k (which is the standard in France where I acquired them) and platinum and tested to confirm. It looks like they might have been marked at the top of the ear wire at one point but hard to say. I have had a handful of these French dormeuse, they are wonderful.

Antique box not included.

SIZE & MEASUREMENTS:

They measure about 16mm top to bottom, the larger diamonds are about 4mm each and the smaller are each about 1.5-2mm. The pair weighs 3.7g combined.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

As with all my pieces this is in estate condition. Beautiful bright white color and wonderful sparkle. Typical antique diamonds with some natural inclusions seen under magnification, it is not visible to the eye. One of the smallest center diamonds has a frosty appearance under magnification where it appears to have flakes of loss or unpolished facets on the underside. The table is polished and correct but the frosty appearance comes from below, this is not eye visible because we are talking about magnified detail of a 1.5mm diamond. I don't see any damage to any of the other diamonds and the prongs are in good shape with springy latch backs. About as well functioning as I have seen considering age. There is a bead of gold at the top of of one earwire - perhaps it was reinforced at some point. Does not affect how it looks or wears but you can seek it out in the pics. The gold is beautiful and it is a very sweet pair. Some surface wear and scratches from wear over the years. But as with all my pre-owned pieces - Please note this is not a mint condition item.

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