White Wedding - Vintage Sterling Silver Pearl & Crystal Rhinestone Dangly Earrings (VE511)

White Wedding - Vintage Sterling Silver Pearl & Crystal Rhinestone Dangly Earrings. These pretty earrings are crafted from sterling silver, hallmarked 925 for sterling (French lever backs), and a silver tone metal wire. They feature two tear drop pearls (simulated), 2 round pearl (simulated) 4 crystal faceted beads, numerous round cut crystal rhinestones, and vintage era styling. The surmounts on these earrings are for pierced ears, featuring French lever backs, which are in perfect working order. They originally would have had antique/vintage screw-backs, which were changed at sometime for modern day pierced ears. They are comprised of a sterling silver surmount , and beautiful wired pearls, which are interspaced by sparkling crystals. The discs are claw-set by hand (a characteristic of antique and vintage jewelry.  The bottom of the earrings showcase beautiful tear-drop pearls, which add length, and elegance to the earrings. The pearls are white in colour, displaying beautiful creamy/ silvery overtones. The articulated earrings have a wonderful sway to them with movement. These vintage earrings are elegant and classy, truly a perfect accent piece for any formal occasion. 

History: Origins. Originally, rhinestones were rock crystals gathered from the river Rhine, hence the name, although some were also found in areas like the Alps (the source of the Rhine). Today the name "rhinestone" applies only to varieties of lead glass known as crystal glass.

Two forms of faux pearls were manufactured in Italy, the earliest, produced from at least the 13th century, and hailing from the ingenious glass workshops of Venice, were imitation glass pearls. Some of these pearls were apparently made from an intriguing mixture of powdered glass, snail slime and egg white.

The first evidence of silver mining dates back to 3000 B.C., in Turkey and Greece, according to the RSC. Ancient people even figured out how to refine silver. They heated the silver ore and blew air over it, a process called cupellation.

The sterling alloy originated in continental Europe and was being used for commerce as early as the 12th century in the area that is now northern Germany. A piece of sterling silver dating from Henry II's reign was used as a standard in the Trial of the Pyx until it was deposited at the Royal Mint in 1843.

Measurements: Earrings 48.00 mm x 10.00 mm 

Stone Size: Faux Pearl(tear drop) 15.00 mm x 10.00 mm  Pearl (Round) 5.00 mm    Crystal Bead 5.00 mm x 3.00         Crystal Rhinestones: 2.50 mm each 

Weight: 3.10 grams 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: France 

Date: Circa 1960