How do I care for antique diamond earrings?

Clean these pieces gently using warm water and a soft brush, avoiding harsh chemical dips that might damage softer accompanying gems like pearls or emeralds. Store each earring in a separate fabric-lined compartment to prevent the diamonds from scratching the surrounding metal mountings.

Were these earrings originally pierced or clip-on?

Earlier examples from the Georgian and Victorian periods were almost exclusively made for pierced ears, utilising wire hooks or post fittings. Later twentieth-century pieces frequently introduced screw backs or clip-on mechanisms to accommodate wearers without pierced lobes.

How can I tell an Art Deco earring from a Victorian one?

Art Deco earrings rely on platinum settings, strict geometrical symmetry, and streamlined motifs like chevrons and rectangular drops. Victorian designs tend to feature warmer yellow gold tones, organic floral cluster arrangements, and softer hand-cut rose or old mine diamonds.

What are night and day earrings?

Night and day earrings feature removable lower sections, allowing the wearer to transition a substantial evening drop into a simpler daytime stud. This clever modular construction was particularly popular during the Georgian and Victorian eras for practical versatility.