Featured I need your help with dating these earrings, please

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by PortableTreasures, Oct 27, 2019.

  1. PortableTreasures

    PortableTreasures Active Member

    Dear all--

    I recently bought these earrings online--I liked the look of them and assumed they were vintage, or Indian reproductions of vintage earrings. Here's the text from the listing:

    This is a pair of eye catching earring crafted with 14K yellow and SS. The fish hook ear backing and the bezel holding the gemstone are 14K, and the two Tulips motif holding the diamonds are silver base. Feature an oval shaped natural Topaz, 5.8 x 4.5mm, connected between two Tulips motif frame dangling down from the fish hook backing. The two tulips are in mirror image, the bottom is a little larger than the top one; there are 11 of genuine Rose cut Diamond pave on top. Combine gemstone weight approx. 0.9ct. The earring is 1.25" long 9.1mm wide, weight 2.9gm, no hallmark and acid tested for 14K

    Here's the thing--when I had them in my hand and tried them on, they felt and looked, well, old. Like, Georgian old. I could be very wrong about this, so am turning to you to solve my dilemma concerning the age of these really rather lovely earrings.

    Thanks so much in advance for whatever help you send my way!

    mysteryearringfront.jpg mysteryearringsbackfn.jpg mysteryearringscloseup.jpg mysteryearringfront.jpg mysteryearrings1.jpg
     
    Any Jewelry, kyratango and Houseful like this.
  2. kyratango

    kyratango Bug jewellery addiction!

    Not Old... India or rather Thailand. Well made and cute design, but the clue is the straight front part of the hook and the crude millegrain on the silver.
     
  3. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    The other clue is the blue topaz, not know to Georgians or Victorians.
     
    PortableTreasures and kyratango like this.
  4. PortableTreasures

    PortableTreasures Active Member

    Wonderful--thanks kyratango and Bronwen so much for confirming they're made in Thailand and that they're not old. I really appreciate it! And good to know about the hook shape and blue topaz being a fairly recent gem for jewellery, too. Cheers!
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2019
  5. Hollyblue

    Hollyblue Well-Known Member

    How do you know blue topaz was unknown to the Georgians or Victorians?
     
  6. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Gorgeous earrings, PT.
    Another clue is that on 18th century stones the back of the setting would be closed.
     
  7. PortableTreasures

    PortableTreasures Active Member

    Any Jewelry--oh this is a very handy criterion to have up my sleeve, too. I so appreciate all the lessons I learn from these discussions!
     
  8. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    I knew someone was bound to take exception with that statement. As far as I know, most topaz we see in this shade of blue is the result of the stone being treated & it doesn't seem to have been widely used in jewellery until the 60s, earliest. I look at a lot of Victorian & Georgian jewellery. They may have known it, but they were not commonly using it. To me it's a clue to more recent manufacture. If they were 'London' or 'Swiss' blue, I'd date them as even newer.
     
    PortableTreasures and kyratango like this.
  9. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    To me, the craft isn't fine enough for late 18th or early 19th century. Alhough cuts weren't as faceted, settings and finish were wonderful. I'd agree that settings were usually closed in, and I'd have expected nice old paste.
     
  10. PortableTreasures

    PortableTreasures Active Member

    Thanks Owndedbybear--I'm so glad I posted about this particular pair of earrings because I am learning so very much about older jewellery!
     
    Any Jewelry and kyratango like this.
Draft saved Draft deleted
Similar Threads: need help
Forum Title Date
Jewelry Stone Cameo ring, need help! Jan 14, 2024
Jewelry Help needed Jan 10, 2024
Jewelry Need help identifying Dec 17, 2023
Jewelry Need help with 2 sterling cross pendants Nov 29, 2023
Jewelry Help needed with Croix a la Jeanette Oct 19, 2023

Share This Page