Antique High Victorian Gothic Lion & Genuine Diamond Earrings, 14k EarWires $1NR

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We'd like to thank all of the folks who've been so generous with their compliments and positive feedback . We work hard to be worthy of our 100% rating and always try to provide 5 star service. Never to hesitate to contact us with any comments or concerns.We accept unrestricted international bidding from Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. If you are elsewhere in the world and have a interest in our listing, please email so we can add you to our allowed bidder list.This auction is for a darkly glamorous pair of High Victorian Gothic earrings.A mellowed, antique silver back ground highlights a deeply embossed and pierced design of leaves and curliques. Picked out in shining gold are a beaded ribbon and a Scottish rampant lion set upon a shield. Adding a fabulous twinkle are two round, full cut diamonds. Set in 14k yellow gold head sections these beautiful diamonds measure 2.0mm each or an estimated .06ct total weight. They have an approximate grade of H-I color and SI2-I1 clarity. Gothic design harks back to Medieval times but saw a revival in the mid 1800's. Tall spires, delicate stained glass windows piercing an impossible wall of stone and elaborate detailing are the hallmark of Gothic architecture and we've pictured Kylemore Church in Connemara Ireland which is generally agreed to be a jewel of High Victorian Gothic. Look close and you'll see deeply carved leaves and flowers decorating the walls, just as they do our earrings. The earring faces are silver and gold gilt brass with the antique style ear wires being new, solid 14k white gold.Our earrings started life as clothing buttons made circa 1885....yup, antique buttons! Ladies of the 1860's and '70's wore gowns with clo th covered, simple buttons and less decoration but by the 1880's, dresses used much fancier fabrics and decorative trims. We've pictured a late Victorian era gal wearing her fancy buttons on a gown that is probably very similar to the one that our buttons once decorated.So, the earring "faces" are genuine Victorian made brass and finished in silver and gold gilt but the easy to wear antique style ear wires are new, solid 14k white gold. The earrings measure 14.5mm in diameter and hang 1 and 1/8th inches long in the ear. They weigh 4.6 total grams or a very comfortable 2.3 grams each. For reference, a single US dime measures a slightly larger 17.9mm in diameter and weighs an identical 2.3 grams. The earrings are in excellent antique condition and are ready to impress!Too often, when a precious, admired piece was no longer useful or in style, it was put away and later forgotten. That's a shame! We are professional jewelers with an eye tuned to see beauty...and we see it everywhere: even in ornaments as humble as cufflinks and antique clothes buttons. Long time ebayers know us from these upcycled button and cufflink earrings we list and sell. Over the last nine years we have successfully made and auction so many, many pairs of fabulous earrings. Every pair are signed with a tiny "A" in a diamond; for Ace_of_Diamond. Were very proud to stand behind our work and the "Ace of Diamond" trademark is the proof and your guarantee.After opening the old thread loop to act as "catcher" we attached the diamonds and solid gold ear wires using our laser welder. The welder literally uses a laser beam to perfectly fuse the metals together; no sloppy solders or ruinous torch flame. We always use solid 14k so you have "good" gold for your ears...we don't want less, why would you? Some gals have been nervous about wearing the shepherd hook wires but are always relieved the find that the catchers make them very secure. No more fumbling with (and losing!) little ear nuts...that and the wires give the earrings a saucy, eye catching swing.We can't help wonder what type of dress these buttons decorated...did they stroll the boardwalk under a fancy parasol and a feathered hat? Even the finest dress would soil and fade and it's fabric would but cut up for crazy quilts or children's clothes; but buttons and the fanc... read more

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