Sway - Vintage Rhodium Plated Crystal Rhinestone Dangly Clip-On Earrings (VE331)

Sway - Vintage Rhodium Plated Crystal Rhinestone Dangly Clip-On Earrings. These lovely earrings are crafted from rhodium plate over metal. Featuring pear and round cut rhinestone crystals, vintage styling, and quality craftsmanship. The gallery on these elegant earrings are set with sparkling crystals, which are attached to a trio of crystal dangles. The dangles allow the earrings to have movement, which give the earrings a wonderful 'sway' as you walk or dance. They are for pierced and non pierced ears, featuring secure clip-on backings. These vintage earrings look stunning when worn, truly a perfect elegant addition to your jewelry collection. 

Comments: Perfect bridal or special occasion earrings. 

History: Centuries ago, quartz pebbles with a high lead content were found sparkling on the banks of Europe's Rhine River. These beautiful, natural stones were highly coveted and were eventually depleted, inspiring jewelers to create an imitation, aptly named the "rhinestone."

Rhinestones which are also known as diamantes or paste date back as far as the thirteenth centurywhere they were first made from Czechoslovakian or Bohemian hand blown glass. The term rhinestone came along later, when rock crystals were discovered in and around the shores of the river Rhine in Austria.

Rhodium was discovered in 1803 by William Wollaston. He collaborated with Smithson Tennant in a commercial venture, part of which was to produce pure platinum for sale. The first step in the process was to dissolve ordinary platinum in aqua regia (nitric acid + hydrochloric acid).

Rhodium has been used as a coating for jewelry and silverware since the 1930s. It was also used as a plating for cigarette lighters and writing instruments during that time. One of the many companies that used rhodium plating was the Ronson Lighter Company, which produced many art-deco style items in the 30s

Measurements: Earrings 58.00 mm x 13.00 mm 

Stone Size: Crystal Rhinestones 8.00 mm - 3.00 mm 

Weight: 11.40 grams 

Condition: Very Good.   Note: Very slight age related wear to rhodium plate, see under magnification. 

Origin: America 

Date: Circa 1950