Were these pierced or clip-on?

Most nineteenth-century examples were made for pierced ears, utilising shepherd hooks, threaded posts or French wire closures. Screw-backs and clip-on mechanisms appeared more frequently on later adaptations, conversions or twentieth-century revisions. Collectors often encounter antique pairs that have undergone professional conversion between wires and screw fittings across different generations of wear.

What is an Etruscan Revival earring?

These pieces draw inspiration from ancient Italian archaeological finds excavated during the Victorian period. They are distinguished by matte yellow gold surfaces decorated with minute gold spheres and twisted wire patterns. This aesthetic reflects the nineteenth-century fascination with classical antiquity and ancient Mediterranean craftsmanship.

How can I date my earrings?

Dating relies on combining metal purity marks, gemstone cuts, and fastener types characteristic of specific decades. Old cut diamonds, pinchbeck, and specific hallmark stamps help narrow the period of manufacture. Stylistic shifts, such as the transition from heavy geometric shapes to lighter Edwardian foliate mounts, provide further chronological markers.