Thoughts on these emerald earrings?

[Pinkmartini87]

Hi all,

Just thought I'd share with the group a pair of emerald earrings I bought today from a rummage shop. They are set in sterling silver (stamped sterling and either "Trifili" or "Trifil" on the backs of each setting"). After I bought them I took these down the street to a pawn shop where the owner took a refractive index of the stones confirming them to be emeralds (although I think refractive index cannot distinguish betw synthetic and natural?).

I know the emerald color is much too pale for ideal trade, and probably no one will set good emeralds in silver, but at $160 I figured it's something small to just play with. But curious to hear from experts here if that seems like a reasonable price I paid; if so, I may go back to the shop for more

Would also love to hear others' thoughts on maybe what era this style might be from? Looks like it's trying to emulate Art Deco to me but the silver looks a little too shiny IMHO to be true antique, so likely a modern reproduction?

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Whoops, forgot the most important part: photos! Taken indoors under humble incandescent living room lighting.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Oh and all the emeralds have plenty of inclusions, and owner had no idea if they are oiled/treated otherwise but since they are so small I didn't bother to press it. I feel like it is not reasonable to buy even tiny emeralds like these for oiled only for $160! (Too good to be true)

 

[amoline]

It wasn't Trifari by chance, was it? They make costume jewelry.

Personally, I would not have bought those earrings at that price, but then again I'm not the one wearing them! If you like them, that's what matters, of course.

They do look very art-deco ish to me, keeping in mind I am not a jewelry historian or anything (but I was an art student, once!) In fact, the border(s) around the round stone feel and look very much like cubism style as well.

EDIT: In fact, check out these earrings specifically labeled Diane von Furstenberg cubsim --

 

[Pinkmartini87]

@amoline Thanks for taking the time to reply! I did some sleuthing this evening and the company who made is is actually called "Trufili", who makes modern reproductions of Art Deco filigree pieces using "cheaper" alternatives i.e. sterling silver instead of platinum, although per their website they claim to use real stones. Interesting how they don't list actual prices on the website and only sell to dealers...Here's a link to the actual earrings:

https://www.trufili.com/art-deco-st...gree-earrings-sterling-silver?search=Emerald

I'll be honest that I now have mixed feelings about these. On one hand, I still like the way they look, but I'm more of a purist and prefer antiques and was hoping at least these earrings might vintage reproductions as late as at lease the 1970s-80s, and don't know how I feel instead about supporting a modern day business that thrives off making reproductions, although I suppose they are upfront about doing so.

I believe the store has a no return policy. Oh well, part of beginner's tuition I suppose...

 

[Missy]

I think they are very pretty and don't spend any energy or time lamenting about buying them if there is a no return policy. I hope you wear and enjoy them for what they are. Lovely earrings. And they didn't break the bank so win win there. Pretty earrings at an affordable cost. Enjoy them.

 

[junebug17]

Oh I think they are very pretty! The emeralds are a lovely color. Hopefully you can wear and enjoy them, they look really nice on you.

 

[LemonMoonLex]

I think they are so lovely!
Would I have spent that much on them? No.
I feel like a deal for a pawn shop would have been $30 for such tiny emeralds and sterling silver. And full price about $45-60 max.
But then again I live in a location that seems to sell used/vintage jewelry much cheaper than others.
Still, if the price was good I would have gotten them too as im fond of them.
Pretty!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

I think they are very pretty and don't spend any energy or time lamenting about buying them if there is a no return policy. I hope you wear and enjoy them for what they are. Lovely earrings. And they didn't break the bank so win win there. Pretty earrings at an affordable cost. Enjoy them.

Thanks as always for your kind words! And yes, I'm still looking for those opal earrings as this emerald pair did not set me back too much! Will keep you posted!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Oh I think they are very pretty! The emeralds are a lovely color. Hopefully you can wear and enjoy them, they look really nice on you.

@junebug17 Thank you! I will! (Although I just noticed in the photo my awful sideburn...so embarassed, it would give Elvis' sideburns a run for his money hehe. I need a trip to the salon ASAP)

 

[Pinkmartini87]

I think they are so lovely!
Would I have spent that much on them? No.
I feel like a deal for a pawn shop would have been $30 for such tiny emeralds and sterling silver. And full price about $45-60 max.
But then again I live in a location that seems to sell used/vintage jewelry much cheaper than others.
Still, if the price was good I would have gotten them too as im fond of them.
Pretty!

Wow, I wish I live where you live! Would love to hit up all the stores and shops! Sadly everything in San Francisco is expensive... And the pawnshops here are a bit, um, shady. I went into two and felt quite intimidated at both. I'm also the worst haggler ie I can't bring myself to haggle so I probably won't get a good deal anyway lol.

 

[amoline]

Wow, I wish I live where you live! Would love to hit up all the stores and shops! Sadly everything in San Francisco is expensive... And the pawnshops here are a bit, um, shady. I went into two and felt quite intimidated at both. I'm also the worst haggler ie I can't bring myself to haggle so I probably won't get a good deal anyway lol.

You may be surprised at how easy haggling can actually be. Sure there are folks out there that like to beat stores for as much as they possibly can but you may be surprised at how if you ask for smaller percentages they'll probably just give in (at least where I'm at). If you paid $160, I would have just said all you can do is $130- are they interested? While I bet they might have let them go for less, if you bring cash there's a high likelihood that if you ask for something in the 10-20% discount range they just shrug and give it to you. Or ask for 20 and they'll push you to 10 and you can push back for 15.

Easy things and they may not always work but hey a dollar's a dollar. The advantage you have to being in SF is there are stores everywhere so the stores know (and can be gently reminded) that there are PLENTY of other places you can spend money at.

Try it next time! Bring cash, and just aim to get a small discount on something small- and, of course, number one rule - be prepared to walk away too.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

@amoline Thanks for the tip! That sounds reasonable to me! I'll give it a go next time!

 

[peacechick]

I think the earrings are pretty and they look great on you! I wouldn’t worry about not being some amazing thrift hunter as long as you enjoy wearing them. I don’t think there is anything cheap left in SF!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

I think the earrings are pretty and they look great on you! I wouldn’t worry about not being some amazing thrift hunter as long as you enjoy wearing them. I don’t think there is anything cheap left in SF!

@peacechick Thanks for your well wishes! Yes, everything is too expensive here. I saw another pair of Victorian cloudy emerald and diamond earrings and was quoted $8500 for them--yikes!