Earrings

Antique French early nineteenth century 18ct. yellow gold and Vermeil girandole earrings featuring foil backed rock crystal clusters, the earrings measuring 3.7cm x 2.2cm

The earrings featuring foil backed rock crystal clusters to simulate valuable pink topaz jewels would have been made for special occasions but beg to be worn also more casually today.

Foil backed gems in a closed back setting were popular in earlier centuries. The technique was widely used to simulate different gems, provide a matched suite of gems-particularly difficult with limited supplies in earlier centuries- and to intensify colour. It has largely been replaced by various gem treatments making foiled gem jewels increasingly rare, historic and treasured.