Vintage Jade Earrings
Vintage jade earrings bring together carved green stones and precious metals, offering a wearable piece of history that catches the eye.
Vintage Jade Earrings
Vintage jade earrings encompass a range of styles including Art Deco, Mid-Century, and Chinese Export designs. These pieces showcase carved stones, beads, and toruses set in various precious metals.
Green hues dominate the stones, ranging from pale green to imperial shades and jadeite varieties. Metals span from 9ct, 14ct, and 18ct gold to platinum and sterling silver.
How they were made
Craftsmen shaped natural jade and jadeite into carved drops, beads, and flat circular torus forms. These stones were then mounted securely into settings of yellow gold, white gold, or platinum.
Many designs incorporate sparkling diamonds alongside the central green stones, particularly in Art Deco configurations. Metalwork techniques include intricate wire hook attachments, screw backs, and stud mountings.
Vintage Jade Earrings Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for vintage jade 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.
Design styles represented span Art Deco, Mid-Century, Mid-Century Asian Revival, Chinese Export, and Edwardian Chinoiserie.
What varies in quality
Quality differences lie in the depth of colour and translucency of the jadeite or imperial jade stones. The fineness of the hand-carving work on drop and torus elements also sets individual pairs apart.
The choice of surrounding precious metal influences the overall standard, with platinum and higher carat golds marking the finer end of the spectrum. The inclusion of matched diamonds further distinguishes superior pairs.
The Vintage Jade Earrings Glossary
- Jadeite
- A dense mineral prized for its vibrant green colour and translucency. It forms the primary gemstone material in many older drop and stud designs.
- Art Deco
- A design style from the early decades of the twentieth century. It is characterised by geometric precision, platinum settings, and diamond accents.
- Toruses
- Circular ring-shaped stones with a central hole. They are frequently utilised as suspended elements in drop configurations.
- Screw-back
- A mechanical fastening mechanism common on older non-pierced lobes. It uses a threaded post and butterfly nut to adjust the tension securely.
Vintage Jade Earrings: Frequently Asked Questions
What periods do these earrings come from?
The pieces span several decades from the early twentieth century onwards. You will find examples originating from the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.
Design aesthetics shifted over these decades, moving from geometric Art Deco platinum styles toward simpler mid-century studs and gold drops.
What metals are paired with the jade?
Makers used a variety of precious metals depending on the period and style. Common choices include sterling silver, platinum, and gold spanning 9ct, 14ct, and 18ct purities.
Diamond accents frequently accompany these metal settings, particularly in pieces from the Art Deco era.
Are the stones always green?
Green is the predominant colour seen across the selection, ranging from pale green tones to rich imperial hues. Jadeite and natural jade provide these characteristic shades.
Occasional variations appear alongside complementary materials such as pearls, glass, and carnelian in specific export or continental designs.
How do the fastenings differ?
Fastenings vary according to the age and specific design of the jewellery. Common options include standard posts for studs, hook wires for dangly pieces, and adjustable screw backs.
Screw-back fittings are particularly typical of older non-pierced designs from the middle decades of the twentieth century.