Raspberry Hues - Vintage 14K Gold Rhodolite Garnet French Lever Back Earrings (VE409)

Raspberry Hues - Vintage 14K Gold Rhodolite Garnet French Lever Back Earrings. These pretty earrings are crafted from 14K yellow gold, hallmarked 14K. The earrings feature two round cut faceted natural rhodolite garnets, vintage classic styling, and quality craftsmanship. These lovely earrings are expertly bezel set with beautiful rhodolite garnets, displaying reddish/pinkish/purplish hues. They are for pierced ears and feature wonderful secure and desirable French lever backs. These vintage classics are versatile and so easy to wear with anything and everything! 

History: The history of garnet dates back to the Bronze Age, more than 5000 years ago. Its name, which has been used since these ancient times, was derived from the Latin word granatium, which means pomegranate (because the small, red crystals were thought to resemble pomegranate seeds).

Rhodolite garnet is a variety that is intermediate in composition between almandine and pyrope and is typically pink to purplish-red in color. These raspberry pink garnets were found in North Carolina in the late 1800s and were named rhodolite because the color resembled the blossoms of the local rhododendron plant.

Rhodolite garnet is a variant in the garnet family. That is distinguished by its rose to purplish hues, that at times even contains a tinge of red. Garnets are precious stones valued for their colour and reflectivity.

Most people associate garnet with the color red, so many are still not aware of the existence of rhodolites. The demand for the latter, therefore, is expectedly less in comparison to the popular intense-red garnets. Rhodolites, however, are more valuable and rare; therefore they're also more expensive.

The color ranges from pinkish purple to reddish purple. The name is derived from the Greek rhodon (rose) and lithos (stone). The most popular varieties of rhodolite garnet are grape color garnet and raspberry garnet. It has long been a favorite in the jewelry market.

Gold was generally used for a couple thousand years solely to create things such as jewelry and idols for worship. This was until around 1500 BC when the ancient empire of Egypt, which benefited greatly from its gold-bearing region, Nubia, made gold the first official medium of exchange for international trade.

Measurements: Earrings 14.00 mm x 7.00 mm 

Stone Size: Rhodolite Garnet 2.40 carats 

Weight: 1.40 grams 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: America 

Date: Circa 1980