Antique Vintage Deco Mid Century 18k Gold Brutalist Ruby Amethyst HUGE Earrings

Description

We have similar Brutalist and Mid Century items, which would pair nicely with this piece, up for auction this week. To view in separate listings, please visit our store and search "Brutalist" or "Mid Century"
under our auction items.
Item description by: Angela A.
The Piece
Auction Estimate:
,000 - ,000
Age Circa:
Mid Century C. 1935 - 1965
Markings:
Unmarked, tested
, and guaranteed
Country of Origin:
Unknown
Brand:
Unknown
Gram Weight:
23.6 grams
Metal Type:
18k yellow gold
Item Weight Value:
,015.00 (value all-inclusive weight)
Material:
--
Main Stone:
Ruby
Main Stone Measurements/Color:
Carat weight:
3.13 carats total
Length:
6.15 mm
Width:
5.36 mm
Depth:
3.67 mm & 4.27 mm
Oval faceted ruby
: 3.93 mm length, 2.99 mm width, 1.61 mm depth
Pear faceted ruby
: 5.3 mm length, 3.29 mm width, 1.78 mm depth
Color:
semi-translucent deep pink hue
Accent Stone:
Amethyst, topaz, citrine, tanzanite, peridot
Accent Stone Measurements/Color:
Amethyst:
approximately 1.82 carats total, 2.1 mm to 4.49 mm diameter, approximately 1.02 mm to 2.71 mm depth; 4.46 mm to 5.48 mm length, 2.55 mm to 3.17 mm width, approximately 1.59 mm to 2.7 mm depth; semi-translucent deep purple and lighter purple hues
Topaz:
approximately 5.61 carats total, 1.86 mm to 4.83 mm diameter, approximately 1.57 mm to 2.74 mm depth; 4.22 mm to 5.58 mm length, 2.91 mm to 3.84 mm width, approximately 1.71 mm to to 2.8 mm depth, semi-translucent blue, red, and pale blue hues
Citrine:
approximately 3.29 carats total, 1.9 mm to 3.18 mm diameter, approximately 1.22 mm to 1.41 mm depth; 4.32 mm to 5.41 mm length, 3.36 mm to 3.92 mm width, approximately 1.41 mm to 2.06 mm depth; semi-translucent yellow, golden-yellow, and golden-orange hues
Tanzanite:
approximately 0.45 carats total; 4.48 length, 3.71 mm width, approximately 1.43 mm depth (oval cut); 1.94 mm to 5 mm diameter, approximately 1.05 mm to 1.8 mm depth (round cut); 2.15 mm length, 1.36 mm depth (round cabochon cut); 4.96 mm length, 4 mm width, 1.53 mm depth (pear cut); semi-translucent violet hue
Peridot:
approximately 2.24 carats total; 1.73 mm to 4.8 mm diameter, approximately 1.1 mm to 2.25 mm depth; 4.47 mm to 5.5 mm length, 3.21 mm to to 4.53 mm width, 1 mm to 2.19 mm depth; semi-translucent bright green hue
Stone Treatment:
The stone(s) appear to be untreated, but we are not certified gemologists. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester.
Stone Cuts:
Pear, oval, round faceted, and round cabochon cut peridot, tanzanite, peridot, citrine, and amethyst; oval faceted, pear faceted, and oval cabochon cut ruby
Earring Style:
Drop
Earring Backing Style:
Shepherd's crook backings. Your local jeweler can easily convert these to the preferred backing style you desire.
For Pierced or Non-Pierced Ears:
Pierced
Item Measurements:
Length:
2.33"
Width:
0.68"
Notable Features:
These huge earrings were handmade during the Mid Century era. Composed of 18k yellow gold, the heavy earrings feature stunning ruby, amethyst, topaz, citrine, tanzanite, and peridot stones, as well as a design inspired by Brutalism. The inclusion of such a unique, textured design and large, colorful stones is an excellent example of the bold and creative styles that dominated jewelry making during the Mid Century era. This time period saw jewelers create jewelry using unusual or uncommon stones, as well as incorporating new designs and re-purposing those from the past to craft entirely new pieces of jewelry. Typically, Brutalist designs feature free-form elements inspired by nature, rugged textures, and bold motifs that draw attention and perfectly suited the interest in dramatic, statement jewelry that defined the Mid Century era.
Each earring features a huge, teardrop-like motif that gently curves backward for bold geometric style. The faces of the earrings are adorned with a total of approximately thirty-three topaz, four ruby, thirteen amethyst, sixteen peridot, forty-seven citrine, and five tanzanite stones. Each stone rests in a broad bezel setting, and these colorful stones completely cover the faces of the earrings. The deep pink hues of the rubies contrast beautifully with the paler violet hues of the tanzanite, while the brightly colored blue and red topaz, darker and lighter purple amethyst, yellow and golden-orange citrine, and bright green peridot stones add visual interest to the piece. Two of the ruby stones contain large, domed oval cabochon cuts which beautifully display their hues, and the remainder of the stones also showcase round cabochon cuts. The topaz, amethyst, peridot, citrine, and tanzanite also contain pear, oval, and round faceted cuts which provide the earrings with striking sparkle when light reflects from these facets.
All of the stones are semi-translucent, allowing light to filter through their bodies, illuminating their stunning hues. The unique 18k yellow gold faces of the earrings feature a raised, rough texture, a hallmark of Brutalist style.
Completing the earrings are shepherd's crook backings which makes them suitable for pierced ears. The generous amount of 18k yellow gold used in the earrings gives them an incredible item weight value of ,015.
A classic, rare example of the
bold jewelry styles popular during the Mid Century era, these earrings would make a valuable addition to any antique jewelry collection. Don't miss your chance to preserve this piece of cultural history.
Damage:
Age appropriate wear. There is one stone missing from its setting, which measures 2.4 mm in diameter; this stone can be replaced by your local jeweler. There is also minor patina on the yellow gold, which does not affect wear.
*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*
The History
The Mid-Century era, 1935 to 1965, encompassed many new styles of art and architecture and this carried over to jewelry making. This exciting time for jewelry saw movements such as Hollywood Regency, Modernism, Brutalism, and the Atomic Age. Native American artisans were also making their mark in the jewelry industry. Artisans used many kinds of metals, gemstones, glass, and experimented with ceramic and wood as well. This era was filled with new and innovative designs, while also rejuvenating and reinventing older styles. The unique jewelry which emerged from this era is still very popular today
.
The Brutalist Style is architectural in origin and arose from the modernist movement of the early 20th century. The name comes from the French word for “raw.” In buildings, it can be noted by the exposed concrete construction, or detailed brickwork and concrete. Jewelry follows in this fashion on a smaller scale, with rough textures and an inherently unpolished look. The edgy, unfinished look to the Brutalist style counters the light, carefree appearance of the 1930s and 1940s art and architecture it was built alongside.
Rubies are one of the four precious gemstones and are prized for their pink to blood red colors. The most valued hue of ruby is called blood-red, or pigeon blood, for the bright, rich hue it exhibits. The color of a ruby comes from the element chromium. Rubies have adorned royal and religious jewelry for centuries and were especially esteemed in Asian countries like China and India, where they were thought to bring good fortune. Rubies are graded by color, clarity, cut, and carat. Rubies are often also evaluated based on their geographic origin.
Amethysts are a semi-precious variety of quartz that are valued for their varying shades of translucent purple hues. The purple color is derived from iron and other trace element deposits. Throughout antiquity, amethysts were used in religious and royal jewelry, and were considered as valuable as rubies, emeralds, and even sapphires.
Peridot, unlike many other stones, occurs only in one color. Its olive-green hue varies depending on the percentage of iron contained within. Peridot hues have been seen varying from yellow, olive, and brownish-green. Very rarely does peridot occur in a pure medium-dark green with no secondary yellow hue or brown mask.
Topaz is found naturally in a wide range of hues, which can include colorless, light semi-translucent hues, or even deeply vibrant hues along the color spectrum. While topaz can be treated for color, most of the topaz in antique and vintage jewelry is untreated given the extent of hues found naturally around the world.
Tanzanite is a rare stone which can only be found in the northern region of Tanzania, near the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. Originally called blue zoisite, this blue purple stone was discovered in the 1960’s and given the geographical name tanzanite, to help build interest and popularity. Zoisite comes in a variety of colors, but tanzanite is the specific name given for the blue purple hue of this type. Further laboratory experiments determined that heating could improve the color of some naturally blue zoisite and could convert some naturally brown or green zoisite into beautiful blue zoisite.
Domestic US
: All items ship within one business day of receiving payment. Buyers will have 3 base shipping options to choose from, depending on the needed speed of delivery. Pricing on single and multi-purchase transactions can be seen below:
Auction Items:
Base shipping + .00 per additional gold item & BIN items combine for free
BIN Items:
FREE
Base Shipping:
USPS
First Class
: .00 fully insured, estimated 3-5 business days
USPS
Priority Mail
: .00 fully insured, estimated 2-3 business days
USPS
Priority Express
: .00 fully insured, overnight delivery
International
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