Georgian garnet earrings

[glitterata]

Just sharing a recent happy find--a pair of antique--probably Georgian--garnet earrings. I got them for an excellent price--I think the seller must have thought they were just a mid-20th century, slightly-better-than-costume pair. The garnets are flat cut, collet set, and closed backed, set in (supposedly tested, unmarked) 10K gold, with their original fittings replaced with 20th-century screw-on fittings. I'm planning to convert them back to shepherd's hooks, which I assume is what they were originally. (Unless they started out as a pair of lace pins, part of a necklace, or some such--but they match perfectly, so I think probably earrings.) Or should I make them into pierced-ear studs? They can't stay as screw-ons, anyway--I'll lose them immediately if I ever dare to wear them.





Apologies for this hideous, blurry photo! It's very hard to take a picture of one's own ear. And I had no idea my hair had gotten that gray!




The back view, along with the back of a Georgian garnet pendant (possibly the drop from a single earring) that I bought long ago, when nobody cared about these things. The screw-on fittings are marked 9c, presumably for 9K gold.

 

[stracci2000]

Yummy! That color!
I think converting them back to dangle earrings is the way to go.
What a great find!

 

[glitterata]

Thank you, @stracci2000 !

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Just sharing a recent happy find--a pair of antique--probably Georgian--garnet earrings. I got them for an excellent price--I think the seller must have thought they were just a mid-20th century, slightly-better-than-costume pair. The garnets are flat cut, collet set, and closed backed, set in (supposedly tested, unmarked) 10K gold, with their original fittings replaced with 20th-century screw-on fittings. I'm planning to convert them back to shepherd's hooks, which I assume is what they were originally. (Unless they started out as a pair of lace pins, part of a necklace, or some such--but they match perfectly, so I think probably earrings.) Or should I make them into pierced-ear studs? They can't stay as screw-ons, anyway--I'll lose them immediately if I ever dare to wear them.





Apologies for this hideous, blurry photo! It's very hard to take a picture of one's own ear. And I had no idea my hair had gotten that gray!




The back view, along with the back of a Georgian garnet pendant (possibly the drop from a single earring) that I bought long ago, when nobody cared about these things. The screw-on fittings are marked 9c, presumably for 9K gold.

What nice examples, those are so beautifully bright! Shepherd hooks will be perfect.

 

[RRfromR]

Amazing find and great color.

 

[VRBeauty]

They’re beautiful - what a nice pop of color! Dangles for sure!

 

[Brigid]

They’re lovely, great find!
I would change them to shepherd hooks or click backs, I have small earlobes so I only wear drop style earrings.
Do what suits you, they will always be pretty regardless.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Love the color!

 

[glitterata]

Thank you for the kind words, jewelry friends!

 

[lala646]

Ooh, I definitely vote shepherd's hooks. They're meant to be dangles!!

 

[88_star]

Dangles! Show us the front of your garnet pendant as well please!

 

[glitterata]

Dangles! Show us the front of your garnet pendant as well please!

Here you go, @88_star. The pendant's garnets are more purple and less bright than the earrings'. Photos make them look black except in direct sun, but in real life they're a dark wine color.

 

[Catmom]

Oh great find, I love them! They are perfect with your pendant. I vote danglies!!!

 

[glitterata]

Following up: They just came home from the jeweler with shepherd's hooks. He did a great job, I think.











(Wow, it's hard to take photos of one's own ear!)

 

[glitterata]

And for those who are going to ask: Two travel books from the late 19th century; the item stuck inside is a map of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition (world fair). O for a time machine!

 

[stracci2000]

They are wonderful!
The color is like a juicy pomegranate.

And the books....that marbled fore edge is fascinating. I have a book around here like that.........

 

[glitterata]

They are wonderful!
The color is like a juicy pomegranate.

And the books....that marbled fore edge is intriguing!

The marbled edge is on an 1893 Baedecker's guide to the US. According to the inscription, "Aunt Lulu" gave it to "Frances" in 1897. It's packed with maps and goodies Frances appears to have used as bookmarks, such as part of a letter and a list of hotels she stayed in west of St. Louis, with her opinion of their quality.

 

[stracci2000]

The marbled edge is on an 1893 Baedecker's guide to the US. According to the inscription, "Aunt Lulu" gave it to "Frances" in 1897. It's packed with maps and goodies Frances appears to have used as bookmarks, such as part of a letter and a list of hotels she stayed in west of St. Louis, with her opinion of their quality.

Aunt Lulu must've had descriminating taste!
The one I have is "Sherman and his Campaigns", by Cols. Bowman and Irwin, first edition printed in 1865.
But it's in bad condition, so not worth much.

 

[stracci2000]

When you wear these with the pendant, it will be a stunning look!

 

[Betty Baguette]

Oooh, lovely earrings!

 

[VRBeauty]

I love how those hang from your earlobe - perfection!