A magnificent and rare pair of antique 9ct gold Whitby jet large torpedo earrings. These earrings date to the earlier Victorian era around 1850, we can tell that by the sheer size and scale of them, they suited the enormous crinolines fashionable at the time. Once the bustle arrived earrings became increasingly smaller.
The earrings are for pierced ears with 9ct gold fittings. The elegant long drops are torpedo/teardrop shaped with the jet hand carved into the iconic rose pattern, a design exclusive to the Victorian jet carvers of Whitby. Deeply carved leaves circle the earrings in 3 tiers with the bottom of each earring with decorated with a rose. A beautiful romantic pattern, to the Victorians the rose was the queen of flowers and symbolised universal love.
Not to be confused with French jet, which is glass, Whitby jet is a fossilized mineral gemstone millions of years old that is only found in and around Whitby, a seaside hamlet in England. It is a lightweight so despite their size these earring are very comfortable to wear. Absolutely gorgeous, bound to bring joy to their new owner they are a testament to the skill of the old jet carvers and are heirloom worthy.
MATERIALS: 9ct yellow gold
GEMSTONE: Whitby jet
SIZE: 2-3/4" (70mm) top to bottom, 12mm wide at the bottom. Hooks 21x8mm
HALLMARKS: stamped '375' for 9ct gold on the back of the hooks
WEIGHT: 7.7 grams
DATE: Victorian, circa 1850
CONDITION: Excellent antique condition with minimal wear, no chips or cracks noted to the jet and the gold hooks pristine and perfectly shaped