Using these little earrings as a learning tool, can you help me with age?

Hello everyone! I am slowly learning about antique jewelry, but earrings have always confused me (I haven't actually seen many antique or older ones tbh). Got these dangles at auction recently, 1.5"L. I think the stone bead is aventurine but can't quite tell from my gem tester. They had grubby 925 silver hooks on them which I have removed, I have some gold plated ones that I thought might look better. I think the silver hooks were replacements. Do these have any age or are they just a little scruffy, modern pieces? What should I look for to help me identify better in the future? Thanks for any help

 

The key to dating earrings is often the closures. May we see the original (or not) hooks?

Debora

 

You know... I think those are contemporary pieces created by a crafter with a mishmash of findings. To my eye, they fall into the wear-and-enjoy category. Let's see what others think.

Debora

 

yup...........I concur..

 

Sterling silver hooks will clean up nicely with a polishing cloth. Possibly a little soak first in warm soap and water. The one unfortunate thing about antique, or just used earrings, the part that goes in the ear is often alarmingly gross. But worth the effort.

 

I could have made these. The good part about tarnish on sterling is it literally wears off. Skin acids remove tarnish. Those wires are small enough that the best way to clean them is to put them between your first finger and thumb and rub like worry stones. Your fingers will turn gray to black, soap and water fixes that, but it works like a charm.

 

You can always scrap 'em if you don't like 'em. It's not in the pair's favor that metal in three different finishes.

Debora

 

Agree, that's why I thought the gold plated hooks might look a little better. I will use the sterling ones for something else I think!

 

I think the sterling hooks are original to the bead dangle which also has sterling bead caps and end beads.
The brass decorative elements look like a later addition.

I would put the hooks back on the dangles, and use the brass thingies for another pair of earrings.
If you'd rather have longer sterling and stone dangles, maybe add something that fits in more with the materials and style.

 

Good idea!