Beyond rare, these amazing handmade table cut earth mined diamond earrings are a genuine Renaissance pair circa 1600.
The design is simple and elegant. Set in a high dome of solid 18K gold the table cut diamonds give elegant flashes as the light strikes them. At the edge of the high dome settings there is the most beautiful detail which reminds me of the petals of a fine daisy. It's amazing workmanship especially when you consider the conditions under which these were made. These hand cut diamonds are foil backed. Foils act as tiny mirrors increasing the sparkle of a stone. Foils were routinely used in Renaissance jewels and their use continued into the early to mid Victorian period. By late Victorian times, the science of diamond cutting had progressed to the point where foils were no longer required.
In sunlight, due either to natural blue fluorescence or perhaps the foil backs reflecting the sky these pretty diamonds sometimes appear slightly bluish.
The pair have earring fittings which secure from the back of the ear lobe to the front. The hook fittings press in place into a secure loop above the top of the elegant diamond drop settings. They have a round loop on the top of the earring fittings which serves the purpose of keeping the earrings in place in the ears. This loop sits at the back of the ear lobe so the earrings present perfectly on the ears. I just love the handmade hinges on the earring fittings...it's exciting looking at the amazing workmanship and fine details of the construction.
They are in excellent condition for their 400 years. One earring at magnification shows some indentation to the gold surrounding the table cut diamond. There is a minute gap to the gold on the back of one earring. The pair present beautifully. It's remarkable to think of the history of these astonishingly rare gold earrings.
We give an approximate diamond weight of 0.50 carats for the pair. Of course diamonds were not graded for color or clarity at this time.
Each earring measures 7/8" long by 7/16" wide (22mm x 11mm). The diamond set portion of the earring itself measures 7/16" in diameter.
The pair weigh 6.09 grams and are exceptionally comfortable to wear. I found that not being used to putting this sort of earring fitting on took a bit of trial and error to learn to put them on. But once I had done so it was really easy to take them on and off. There are some photographs of the earrings on for reference.
They have been professionally tested and are solid 18K gold.
It's amazing holding a pair of diamond Renaissance earrings in my hands! Renaissance earrings are exceptionally rare to find - I am aware of only about five pairs which have sold in the last thirty years in Christies and Sothebys auctions put together. This pair of earrings are an heirloom pair with amazing historical significance. In reality they should perhaps be in a museum of jewelry history but how much nicer it is that someone will be able to have the excitement of wearing these today and handing them on to future generations in their family.
These earrings have been examined by a professional gemologist and diamond technologist, a specialist antique jewelry appraiser. They will be supplied with full appraisal documentation.
We will ship the pair in a presentation box ready for gifting.
I am all abuzz today just handling these earrings...it's remarkable to see such a rare pair!
