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Mouse's House Antiques

STAR Georgian Era Antique RARE Chiffre & Table Cut Rose Cut DIAMONDS Dormeuse Earrings French 18k Gold

STAR Georgian Era Antique RARE Chiffre & Table Cut Rose Cut DIAMONDS Dormeuse Earrings French 18k Gold

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ABOUT:

Unique figural antique pair of earrings from the Georgian period (c1714 to 1830) with a mix of rarer old cut diamonds.

At the center of each is a rare "chiffre cut" diamond which is a triangular shaped rose cut - these are actually scarcer than the ever popular Peruzzi cut. One earring has an additional chiffre cut at the top of the star. These earrings also posses the rarer table cut diamond - one earring holds two table cuts and the other holds three. The rest of the diamonds are rose cuts - fun to find a mix of old cut diamonds in one pair of earrings. They are crafted in 18k gold with the diamonds set in a closed back and foiled setting.

In his 1995 book Diamond Cuts in Historic Jewellery, Herbert Tillander notes that the chiffre cut, a type of three faceted shield-shaped diamond has been known at least since the early 14th century and is termed the chiffre cut after the word ‘cipher’. The table cut diamonds are also one of the earlier methods of diamond cutting and are quite collectible.

The diamonds are clustered together in a natural organic way compared to the perfectly symmetrical machine made jewelry of today. It gives them a really unique and moody vibe. The underside of the earrings have openwork filigree lattice to give the earrings depth.

The gold has a lovely antique patina with dark areas in the recesses giving it a great ancient look. Found in France with their later hallmarks for 18k gold. Some rosy hues from age with a buttery glow.

They are inserted into the ear from the back toward the front where the hooked ear wire is latched into the little catch atop the earring.

Would be a beautiful something old for a bride. These are often dainty and petite (they are translated "sleepers" in French because they were meant to be worn overnight : ) of course these days we don't recommend 24/7 wear on earrings with 100 plus year old hinges. Please note the measurements as it can be difficult to determine scale, although I have had many dormeuse that are much smaller than these, these stars are a nice size.

Awesome and uncommon, perfect to add some history and sparkle : )

MEASUREMENTS:
20mm from top of ear wire to bottom of star. The star is 14mm wide and tall, and 5.8mm deep not including the ear wires that extend out the back. The pair weighs 4.8 grams.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

Please note that all my pieces are preowned and in estate condition. Typical antique diamonds with some faint natural inclusions seen under magnification. No dark carbon spots. The diamonds look very old indeed with one of the table cuts chipped at one corner, one of the chiffre cuts chipped at one point and several frosty spots, nicks and nibbles. The latches on these are super tight. Because the ear wires are thicker / sturdier gold so it can be hard to bend them to latch the hooked end into the little opening. It's doable but takes some dexterity and strong fingers so I thought I'd mention it. 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. : ) The trade off is for earrings of this age, you get really secure latches that can be hard to find as many of these antique dormeuse are more delicate in nature. Warm hues to the diamonds, some are actually champagne in color and others are from age to the closed back. Some dark patina to the old gold.

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 : )

I would be delighted if you'd follow me in my shop. Thanks for stopping by!

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