Antique Victorian Flower & Cut Steel Earrings 14k $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...so we hold the lightening fast priority shipping to actual cost with no handling fees and are pleased to offer free U.S. shipping of these earrings if they end over $100 . This auction is for a captivating pair of late Victorian era cut steel earrings Theround earring face has a sparkling wreath of cut steel "gems" which encircle a charming posy of golden flowers. The Victorians were a sentimental lot who loved their gardens. Each flower carried a unspoken meaning to say "I desire" or I mourn". The daisies and forget me knots depicted here speak of innocence and true love. Glistening like morning dew are studded cut steel "gems", each flashing and glittering a bright bronzy light, all having been gold tinted. It's a shame that they ever stopped using cut steels; they offer a such a wonderful glimmer to the earrings. "Cut steel" jewelry had it's first hurrah in the 1780's when an enterprising English fellow discovered that if you formed steel into gem shapes and highly polished them, they had a twinkle that rivaled the best of diamonds. He, and others of the time, made whole suites of jewelry, buckles and most popularly, buttons. Our earrings started life as clothing buttons made circa 1890....yes, antique buttons! Ladies of the 1860's and '70's wore gowns which simply had less decoration but by the 1880's, dresses used much fancier fabrics and decorative trims. We've pictured a couple of Victorian era gals, each wearing her fancy cut steel buttons on gowns that are probably very similar to the one that our buttons once decorated. So, the earring "face" is gold plated brass with tinted steel studs on a darkened "Japaned" backround and the vintage style ear wires are new, solid 14k yellow gold. The earrings measure 16.6mm in diameter and hang 1 and 1/8 inches long in the ear. They weigh 5.4 total grams or 2.7 grams each and for reference, a single US dime measures a larger 17.9mm and a slightly lighter 2.3 grams. The earrings are in excellent, ready to wear condition. We are professional jewelers with an eye tuned to see beauty...and we see it every where, even in a ornament as humble as an antique clothing button! We're tired of our fine jewelry clients asking for something "unique" and picking the same thing that everyone else has...apparently, a lot of YOU feel the same way because over the last three and a half years we have successfully made and auctioned so many, many pairs of fabulous earrings. Every pair of our earrings are signed with a "A" in a diamond shape...we stand behind our work and the "Ace of Diamond" trademark is the proof. After opening the thread loops to act as "catchers" we attach solid 14k 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? The finest gowns will soil and fade but someone treasured their beautiful dress enough to save these buttons as a keepsake. For this we are so very grateful because they make a truly captivating pair of earrings. If these are YOUR earrings, don't hesitate and bid now! For our international bidders: We get such a thrill knowing that we have successfully shipped to England, France, Holland, Italy, Germany, American Somoa, Japan and China...even to Tuktoyatuk, Canada which is ABOVE the Arctic Circle! If you are int... read more

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