After the death of Queen Victoria's beloved husband Prince Albert, Victoria went into deep mourning as did the style of jewellery of the day. Hair and whitby jet jewellery became hugely popular. A fine example are these earrings here, made in England circa 1870. The craftsmanship and weaving of the hair is outstanding - with a 10 x loupe it is just magic! I wonder if the hair perhaps belonged to a lost husband? They are also made of 18 carat yellow gold, which has also been gilded - there are no hallmarks but the metal has been acid tested.

Each earring measures 3.26 x 0.42 x 0.42 inches and together weigh 3 grams. So no pulling on the ear :) Clearly cherished, these earrings are in the most fantastic condition with no signs of damage or repair. It's quite amazing actually. A delicate piece of jewellery, this piece would be a marvellous addition to one's collection and can definitely be worn and enjoyed but with some care to avoid damage. If they are worn you'll see what magnificent impact they make!

Thanks so much for stopping by! We offer very friendly layaway options so please do get in touch if you are interested. Domestic and international insured shipping is always included in the price. All items paid for in full are subject to a full refund if you are not delighted with your purchase. The layaway items are eligible for exchange only, please refer to our Terms of Sale located on our front page, at the bottom right hand corner for full details. Thanks again! E x