Featured Pair Gump's Green Stone Screw-Back Earrings

These are each marked GUMP'S on the convex portion of the closure (opposite the screw post) but I can find no other marking. Note that the two stones aren't identical in their carving, nor their outline; the back panels that supports the 4 mounting prongs were custom cut to fit each stone. Also, pic 9 shows a hole in the edge of the stone that doesn't go clear through...the other has a similar hole, but in a different location on its edge.
Are they salvage (older?) stones? They aren't opaque, but somewhat translucent. They're ~1/2" diameter an' ~ 1/8" thick. I would like to believe they're nephrite or jadeite; an' while I'm wishing, that the mounts an' screw-backs are vermeil...but as they're unmarked that may be a stretch.
When were screw-backed earrings pretty much obsoleted? What are the possibilities for the type of stone, an' for the mount materials? Any an' all comments an' opinions are most welcome. Thanks for lookin'!

 

look like gold and jade , from here...

 

Beautiful set Whit from an extremely esteemed San Francisco business.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gump's

 

To me as well...but even old, an' even if made overseas...why not marked? That would be, in this specific case, the $640 question!

 

could the screw placement be hiding a mark ???

 

Do you mean beneath the Gump's mark, on the mount back? Could be, I suppose...but how would a fella know?

 

Gump's was a luxury goods store renown for both its Chinese imports and its jewelry department. I would be very surprised if they weren't jade and gold. And they very well be old carvings repurposed. 1950s from the looks of them.

Debora

 

Thanks, Debora...that's music to my ears!

 

and that glob of gold.....holding the screw ons.....may be covering marks that were not understood at the time....

just sayin

 

Maybe they were a custom order repurposing the old carvings? And therefore not stamped as to gold content? I'd establish the metal content if you are selling, if gold they could even be 18K. I don't think it's a deal breaker that they aren't marked, but you should determine what the metal is.

As others have stated, Gumps was a very high quality store, and that name adds a premium. I think you have a winner with these.

 

Gumps luxury goods ?

bet they had a nice.......box......a..........chocolates

 

Could be, komo...but to sell it on eBay I gotta be able to say with with assurance what the stone is, an' what the metal is.
I am reasonably confident the stone is sea-foam or apple jade. There's a high probability the metal is at least vermeil, if it isn't a gold alloy...I'm gonna let my jeweler squint at it, an' then go from there.

 

Gump's had buyers who would buy vintage and antique pieces in China and repurpose them. They dealt with the highest quality. Here's more information about the store.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gump's

Debora

 

Oooh! Gumps!
A very good name in jewelry.
Another great find, @wlwhittier !

 

If I had those I'd wear them - no holes here.

Yup.Same here.

I was going to say it's under a finger. Most earrings in that style were marked on the loop of metal that went under the ear. Sometimes on the back of the screw mechanism. Sometimes on the front where it moves forward and the screw part hits the back of your ear. I can't see Gump's of all companies letting these loose unmarked. If they were vermeil or gold-filled they'd be marked for that too.

 

I think the jade carvings were made to be sold for others to make into jewellery elsewhere. I have a silver brooch holding what is surely a Chinese carving of a plum with its leaves done in amethyst that is marked for Walter Lampl.

Here's a Lampl piece using jade:

https://www.rubylane.com/item/495269-J-811/Vintage-Walter-Lampl-Brooch-Carved-Jade

I believe the earrings are the same sort of thing.

 

I gave my daughter 3 heart shaped amethysts , when she was doing jewelry....

haven't seen them since.......

 

Well, folks...I'll get out the loupe an' look even more closely than I have for hints about the metal...but I am considerably heartened by your various agreement that these aren't costume. I'll see my jewelry Guru tomorrow, an' report back on his judgement, right here.
Thank you all, very much!

 

Gump's didn't sell costume.

Debora

 

By 1973, when even my mother had had her ears pierced.