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Brenda Ginsberg Antique Jewelry

Antique earrings amethysts diamonds gold platinum Edwardian ear pendants (7400)

Antique earrings amethysts diamonds gold platinum Edwardian ear pendants (7400)

Regular price $2,300.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $2,300.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Antique Edwardian earrings long dangle ear pendants. Gold, platinum, diamonds, amethysts. Made circa 1900 - 1910.

Measurements: Weight is 6.2 grams. Length approximately 1 7/8 inches (4.7cm). Amethysts weigh 10.46ct.

Description : Long dangly elegant ear pendants. Drops are elongated, faceted briolette shaped amethysts. They are held, like a flower in a calyx of platinum, studded with diamonds. A long line of stations and loops descend from flower form surmounts. The stations set with diamonds; the loops allowing the entire earring to swing and sway very freely as the wearer moves. Strong sense of elegance and action. Surmounts in the form of 4-petalled flowers with a tiny diamonds in the center.
As was the custom for hundreds of years, the diamonds are all mounted in white (platinum). However, the backs of the diamonds are in yellow gold. (see story below).
Posts for pierced ears.

Marks and Metal: No marks were found. Metal was found to be a combination of platinum and gold. Gold electronically tested as in the 10k range.

Condition: Good with minor wear commensurate with age. 2 tiny diamonds in the center of the surmounts were replaced as the original stones were totally mismatched. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.

THE STORY: Elegant and romantic and perfect when you want to dress up and look great. The large purple amethysts are very royal in appearance. These earrings were made on the cusp of the end of the Victorian era and just before the Deco period. They combine classic beauty with movement and fun. Clever balance between the lightness and fine lines of flowers and diamonds and the strong color of amethysts. It seems that the amethysts are almost floating on the finest cobwebs.
For hundreds of years, it was recognised that diamonds, seen in candle or gas light, showed to best advantage in white metal. Up until the 20th century, this was silver. After work in platinum became feasible, platinum replaced silver as the white metal. The custom of backing the silver/platinum in yellow gold continued. Remember that silver tarnishes and would have left black marks on the skin or clothes, so gold was used at the back, where jewelry made contact with the skin or materials.
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