Antique Vintage Deco Retro 14k Yellow Gold Madeira Citrine Pearl Leaf Earrings

Description

These earrings are part of a set with a matching pendant, which we also have up for auction this week. To view in separate listings, please visit our store and search "Citrine Pendant
" under our auction items.
Item description by: Dayna M.
The Piece
Auction Estimate:
,000 - ,000
Age Circa:
Retro 1940 - 1950
Markings:
"PLAT", "14K" and unknown pictorial marking on the back of the earrings
,
tested, and guaranteed
Country of Origin:
Unknown
Brand:
Unknown
Gram Weight:
15.7 grams
Metal Type:
14k yellow gold and 900 platinum swirl motifs
Item Weight Value:
5.00 (value all-inclusive weight)
Material:
--
Main Stone:
Madeira Citrine
Main Stone Measurements/Color:
Carat weight:
2.36 carats
Length:
9.60 mm
Width:
6.82 mm
Depth:
3.79 mm
Color:
semi-translucent orange hue
Accent Stone:
Freshwater pearl, Akoya Pearl
Accent Stone Measurements/Color:
Freshwater pearl
: 13.78 mm length, 5.74 mm width, color:
lustrous white hue
Akoya Pearl:
5.24
mm diameter, color:
lustrous white 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:
Geometric faceted cut citrine, n
aturally off rounded and polished freshwater pearl, n
aturally rounded and polished
Akoya
pearl
Earring Style:
Drop/dangle
Earring Backing Style:
Post with bullet backings with silicone stoppers. Your local jeweler can easily convert these to the preferred backing style you desire.
For Pierced or Non-Pierced Ears:
Pierced
Item Measurements:
Length:
2.05"
Width:
0.85"
Notable Features:
These earrings were handmade during the Retro period. Composed of 14k yellow gold and 900 platinum, the earrings feature Madeira citrine and freshwater and Akoya pearls stones with leaf motifs. The overall use of the sparkling, large tourmaline stones with their dramatic pink hues are hallmarks of the glamorous Retro period. Eager to show off their wealth and style, Hollywood celebrities and socialites during this time would adorn themselves with elaborate jewelry, usually featuring valuable, large stones. These earrings were inspired by the style of Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, and Tiffany designs that were influencing the Hollywood Regency style, making the viewer think of the likes of Ava Gardner and Katharine Hepburn.
The Madeira citrine stones have a geometric faceted cut with beautify displays its orange hues. The stones rest on a yellow gold basket setting. The warm hues of the gold complement the warm orange hues of the citrine. There are also one freshwater and one Akoya pearl on each earring. Both would have been hand-harvested before being imported into jewelry. Surround the stones is a 900 platinum swirl design with a Florentine finish. There are also gold leaf designs and swirls, giving this pendant a beautifully natural and unique look.
The earrings are completed with 14k yellow gold post bullet backings with silicon stoppers for secure and comfortable wear. These earrings are suitable for pierced ears. The generous use of 14k gold makes these earrings have an impressive gold weight value of 5. A lovely example of the Hollywood Regency style of the Retro period, these earrings would make a valuable addition to any antique jewelry collection. Don't miss your chance to become a part of these earrings' history.
Damage:
Age appropriate wear.
*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*
The History
Retro jewelry refers to pieces created in the 1940s and 1950s. This was a period during which jewelry designers were largely influenced by the changes stemming from World War II. These designs reflect an infusion of futuristic vision with elements inspired by preceding periods, encompassing a variety of gemstones, shapes, and materials. Materials used commonly in Retro jewelry are gold, gold alloys, and silver as the wartime put a restriction on the use of platinum. Designs can be masculine, geometric and modern, or softer, more feminine and floral.
The Hollywood Regency style came into fashion during the 1930s, ushered along by the Golden Age of Hollywood. This style was heralded by bright, contrasting colors and modernization of the opulence of Baroque styles, featuring a deliberately frivolous extravagance that screamed glitz and glamour. “Big girls need big diamonds” was taken to heart, and the gorgeous Hollywood stars decked themselves appropriately, with blindingly glittering jewels to showcase their lives of luxury.
The Florentine finish was created and mastered by Italian artists and became popular in jewelry, watches and furniture within the last century. This specialized decorative finish is a crosshatched technique which is engraved into the surface of a precious metal. It is usually applied with a specific hand tool and consists of a series of parallel lines engraved in two directions which are perpendicular to each other. This beautiful finish reduces the reflectivity of metal and the lines are often more deeply incised than the brushed or matte finish methods.
Madeira Citrine ranges from golden to golden-orange to reddish-brown to brown. During the Art Deco era, Madeira Citrine was extremely rare and highly sought after. This type of citrine gets its name from the Madeira wine made in this Portuguese island region, which is off the coast of Africa. It deeply resembles this beautiful wine's color.
Freshwater pearls are a special type of pearl that are created by freshwater mussels and have been used in jewelry as far back as Medieval times. The largest source for natural freshwater pearls at that time was the Holarctic Freshwater Pearl Mussel, which was native to Scotland. This species is now endangered, and most freshwater pearls must be cultured. Unlike cultured saltwater pearls, freshwater pearls are not bead-nucleated and are therefore typically less round. Instead of using a bead, a small square of mantle tissue is cut from a donor mussel's inner lining and inserted into the lining of the harvesting mussel to instigate pearl formation. The unique harvesting technique makes freshwater pearls purely composed of nacre. These pearls are valued for their whimsical shapes and wide range of colors. The unique character of freshwater pearls is found in their distinctive texture and the warmth of their luster.
Akoya saltwater pearls are cultured from the Akoya oyster and can be found primarily in Japan and China. They are known for their beautiful round shape and exquisite luster that sets them apart from many other types of pearls. They are usually white or cream in color but can have rose or silver undertones. During the Art Deco era, Akoya pearls were rare, expensive to own, and reserved for the richest of the rich.
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
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: .00 fully insured, estimated 3-5 business days
USPS
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USPS
Priority Express
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