FRENCH Antique Old Mine Cut DiAMOND Buttercup Earrings .4ctw 18k Gold Victorian Dangle Dormeuse Gift Belle Epoque Valentine's Bridal OMC

ABOUT:

The sweetest 1800s antique French Victorian dormeuse earrings with scalloped outline and ornate buttercup settings propping up an old mine cut diamond. With the tiered layers of rich antique 18k gold, these really put off a beautiful glow, then accented by the sparkle of the antique diamonds. So elegant with the warm antique gold and beautiful settings with the twinkling sparkle of the old mine cuts.

The diamonds are small, but lovely hand cut old mines totaling around .36 carat. Please note the measurements.

The wires have a hooked end that are inserted from the back of the ear and latch into the little ball loop atop the front of the earring. These can be finicky to wear if you are not familiar with this style. They remain super popular but do take some practice and tactile strength to latch them while in the ear.

Stamped with the French hallmark for 18k gold.

Antique box is 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.

SIZE & MEASUREMENTS:

The diamonds are about 3.7x3.4mm give or take as they are each hand cut and not perfectly uniform. They average out to about .18 carat each / .36 carat total weight.

18mm top to bottom, the ear pendant parts alone are 10mm wide and 6mm deep on including the ear wires.
The pair weighs 3.5 grams combined.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

Under magnification you can see a few tiny pinhead spots of remaining black enamel. They must have had a black halo surround at one time that is not really visible anymore now. Even the remnants are hard to detect, it looks more like patina until you study it closely but you should be able to spot it with the 20x zoom in the photos, which will make it far more visible than it is to the eye while wearing. Typical antique diamonds, one has a smattering of carbon, the other some faint frosty specks. We expect to find this on stones from the period having been cut in much more limited supply. This is no glaring while wearing as the stones aren't very large so much of it is lost in the faceting until you really study them.

They are 150+ years old with old gold hinges so we don't recommend for 24/7 wear but they are surprisingly sturdy for age. These are very popular, I’ve sold many and buyers often report back that it just takes a little practice and patience inserting the hooked end from behind and then latching them while on the ear but that they get the hang of it with time. : )
Still beautiful and appropriate for gentle handling considering age and fabrication.

Thanks so much for looking at my items!

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).

Many of my listings include group shots – I find the comparisons between pieces help show scale, diamond hues, etc. All items in group shots are inventory, but refer to the website to see what items have sold out and to watch for new listings from the grouping to appear on the home page.

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