Amethyst Drop Earrings
These amethyst drop earrings bring together purple quartz and gold or silver settings across periods from the Victorian era to the mid-twentieth century.
Amethyst Drop Earrings
Amethyst drop earrings combine suspended purple stones with metals such as gold, silver, and white gold, taking forms from single pendants to multiple tiers.
The pieces on this page span the Victorian and Edwardian periods, through the Art Deco years, and into the nineteen-fifties and sixties.
Earrings in this selection appear alongside matching necklaces and brooches, or as standalone drops with screw-backs, hinges, and posts.
Materials and technique
Goldsmiths set amethysts into nine-carat, fifteen-carat, and eighteen-carat gold, alongside silver and paste glass, using claws, bezels, and closed backs.
Craftsmen paired the purple quartz with pearls, diamonds, and seed pearls, suspending stones from chains or rigid wire links to create movement.
Amethyst Drop Earrings Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for amethyst drop earrings among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Several pairs arrive complete with their original fitted boxes, preserving the tiny indentations made for the drops decades ago.
Quality factors
Depth of colour in the stones and saturation of the purple quartz separate standard examples from finer pieces, alongside the presence of matching pearls and diamonds.
The delicacy of wirework, the security of settings, and the retention of original fixings such as screw-backs and hinge backs define the integrity of the work.
Cropp & Farr
The Amethyst Drop Earrings Glossary
- Drop earrings
- Earrings that hang below the earlobe rather than sitting directly against it. They move as the wearer turns.
- Demi parure
- A matched set of jewellery containing two pieces, commonly earrings and a brooch or necklace.
- Paste glass
- Cut and polished lead glass used to imitate gemstones in historical jewellery. It allowed makers to achieve bright colours and specific shapes.
- Cabochon
- A gemstone cut with a smooth, rounded, convex top rather than faceted planes. This style highlights the natural tone of the quartz.
Amethyst Drop Earrings: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I date antique amethyst earrings?
Dating relies on metal fineness marks, fastening types like screw-backs and wires, and the cutting style of the stones.
Victorian and Edwardian examples often feature closed-backs and seed pearls, while later decades introduce distinct modernist lines and white gold.
Are these earrings comfortable for daily wear?
Comfort depends on the weight of the stones and the type of fastening used.
Heavier triple drops suit occasional wear, whereas lighter single stones with secure hooks or posts work well for regular use.
How do I care for vintage gold and amethyst?
Amethyst can fade under prolonged direct sunlight, so store the jewellery in a dark box when not in use.
Clean the metal and stones gently with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, avoiding harsh ultrasonic cleaners that might loosen older settings.
What is a demiparure set?
A demiparure is a coordinated pairing of two matching jewellery pieces, such as earrings and a brooch.
These sets share identical materials, stones, and design motifs to create a unified appearance when worn together.