Description
Gorgeous opal and rock crystal pendant earrings
Set with three wonderful colourful opal beads
The graduating opals are separated by cut disc rock crystals
These antique opal drop earrings are fitted with traditional screw backs
These charming earrings look stunning when worn
- 4cm ( 1.58″ ) long
- Opal beads largest 9.5mm middle 7.5mm bottom 7mm
- Traditional screw earrings for non pierced earrings
- These earrings date to around 1920
- In excellent original condition
- Weight 5.5 grams
- These antique opal drop earrings come in the presentation box illustrated
- Our Ref: 23223
View more beautiful antique earrings
Opal
Milky opals were commonly used in late 19th century jewellery when their versatility resulted in a wide assortment of designs such as bangles, set as a line of graduated cabochons with diamonds in between, cluster rings, fringe necklaces and crescent brooches. Superior examples exhibit an attractive play of red, green, and blue colours whilst inferior milky opals are almost completely white with minimal flashes. Milky opals were also set with rubies, emeralds and demantoid garnets in naturalistic designs such as butterflies. Mid-Victorian opals exhibiting a softer play of colour were sometimes set in scrolling gold brooches and necklaces enamelled in royal blue.
Rock Crystal
Rock crystal is the colourless variety of quartz and has been used in jewellery since the earliest times. Usually polished “en cabochon” or more rarely faceted and then mounted in fine rings. Rock crystal was used extensively in 18ct lockets and painted to the reverse with naturalistic scenes with birds, animals, and plants. Rock crystal was used widely in Belle Epoque and Art Deco diamond jewellery. Rock Crystal sometimes referred to as ice crystal is transparent white quartz crystal. Ancient Greeks used the word krystallos Greek for ice. Rock Crystal was thought to harness the sun’s power and have healing properties. Consequently it was used by many civilisations such as the Ancient Greeks, Romans and Aztecs and set into spiritual and religious items. Rock Crystal became fashionable in the Victorian and Edwardian era and was facetted, carved and set into many designs of jewellery.
