SALE Elegant Silver Ornate Glass Drop Earrings, circa 1900-20

Jewelry : Antique : Fine

 

These beauties are so elegant! They're antique screw back drop earrings that have been fitted with beautifully ornate silver findings and terrific mauve-coloured cut glass.

I'm not sure where these earrings, made with 900 silver, were made. Many countries have, and still do, employ 900 silver in jewelry-making.

This type of silver is an alloy of 90% fine silver and 10% copper or base metal alloy. The standard was commonly used in the U.S. until sterling became the accepted standard around 1870. Jewelry made with 900 silver is just slightly lower in grade than sterling, but higher than 800 or 835 European silver.

Sorry about the slight diversion. Back to the earrings: the pair, which date to about 1900-1920, has developed a heavy patina over the years; the silver appears almost black. If you don't like this look they could easily be brought back to their former shine with the use of a polishing cloth.

I polished the back of one of the screw-backs and the difference is phenomenal!

The front of the screw backs contain really lovely fine millegrain work, as does the piece of silver that is suspended from the screw back. The dangle contains small silver links which help support the bottom dangle.

The silver finding that covers the glass is beautifully ornate, with lovely open work, scrollwork, floral motif, and beading around the bottom edge. Just fabulous work.

The glass is a wonderful mauve colour, and the glitter produced by its faceted triangular cut is just terrific! Total length of the pair is: almost 1&1/2". Weight: 2.8 grams.

Earrings are stamped "900" with maker's mark that is too worn to make out. Condition is very, very good. As mentioned, they are tarnished, and I should also point out that one of the pieces of glass does contain 2 teeny-tiny nicks, right at the bottom.

I couldn't see them at all until I looked at the earrings under a loupe. In my opinion, they don't detract from the pair's beauty. However, this has been taken into consideration and is reflected in the current price. Thanks for looking!

Item ID: 670