Antique Earrings

A demi-parure is a matching suite of jewellery such as a necklace and brooch, or in this case it is a magnificent demi-parure of an antique bangle, earrings and a pendant that converts to a brooch. Beautifully hand made in 18ct yellow gold and silver in France in the late 1800’s, silver was used on the top as it was known that setting the diamonds in yellow gold could reflect the yellow into the diamonds. During the time that this demi-parure was made, white gold was not yet invented and platinum, although already discovered, was not used in jewellery until the early 1900’s. Each piece in the suite is as beautiful as the next and to describe it well, they have to be explained piece by piece. To start with, the bangle. Measuring a lovely 21.2mm wide, this is one antique diamond bangle that will no doubt always be admired. Set with seventy five rose cut diamonds and one early brilliant cut diamond in the centre, the total diamond weight of the bangle comes to 1.06 carats. The design is so elegant that the diamonds make and the sparkle from the diamonds is just magnificent. The attention to detail shows what incredible craftsmanship went into making this and the other pieces all those years ago. The earrings are also just as stunning to admire. With each earring set with twenty one rose cut diamonds and one early brilliant cut diamond, the total weight of diamonds is 0.60 carats. Fitted on lever back fittings that are lovely and secure, these earrings sit the perfect length under the earlobe to always be admired. Measuring 14.4mm across by 17.6mm from the bottom of the earring to the top of the hook, the size makes them so easy to wear during the day and dressed with the other pieces in this suite, will certainly stand out even more. Then there is the brooch which can also be worn as a pendant, making this technically a four piece demi-parure. When it is worn as a brooch, the  top diamond set bail detaches from the brooch section. This allows it to be worn as a true brooch without the bail interfering or getting in the way. The brooch is set with sixty seven rose cut diamonds with an early brilliant cut diamond in the centre. The design of this brooch will certainly stand out and the diamonds in the brooch sparkle magnificently. There are a total of sixty seven rose cut diamonds and one early brilliant cut diamond that total 1.14 carats. With this amount of diamonds, it is no wonder it sparkles so well. And then there is the bail that reattaches so easily when being worn as a pendant. In this section alone, there are an additional eight rose cut diamonds that total 0.06 carats and a pearl that adds an additional element of charm and character. The ingenious part about this brooch cum pendant, is that when it is now worn as a pendant, the brooch fitting unscrews to allow the pendant to sit true and flat against the chest. With the brooch measuring 29.6mm in diameter and from the bottom on the brooch to the top of the bail now measuring 46.3mm, this section alone is so exquisite. In total the diamonds come together to total an impressive 2.86 carats, that when all together will certainly add some incredible sparkle to any outfit. To complete it all, this antique demi-parure is fitted in its original box that not only adds to the charm and character, but has such a wonderful tactile feel and texture to it.   Stock# ES7071 Circa: 1895 $17,500