Earrings date as far back as 3,000 B.C. Archeologists in Western Asia have unearthed a pair of earrings which date to 2,500 B.C. These oldest documented antique earrings were discovered in Iraq at a royal gravesite. Since then, the popularity of earrings has waxed and waned, but they made an enduring resurgence in the 16th century and today earrings remain more popular than ever. By the middle 17th century, earrings became an essential finishing touch in every well-dressed woman's jewelry wardrobe.
Our Antique Earring Collection
The Topazery collection of antique earrings represents many jewelry styles and periods. We carry earrings from the Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Edwardian and Victorian periods as well as antique style or reproduction earrings. Studs, dangles and teardrops are also well represented in our collection. You'll find precious metals ranging from white and yellow gold to platinum. You'll also discover earrings enhanced with such gemstones as sapphires, onyxes, pearls and aquamarines. Diamond antique earrings are always a traditional favorite with women. Exciting motifs like bows, leaves and flowers make our earrings even more endearing and beautiful. Whether she favors sophisticated and understated or sexy and swingy, Topazery has a pair to match her preference.
Blue sapphires arc through a sea of diamonds in this pair of Edwardian antique drop earrings. Shaped like teardrops, these hand-wrought antique earrings contain large diamonds at both the base of the drop and the front of the lobe. Smaller accenting diamonds are set in the teardrops. Channel set blue sapphire lend a touch of subtle color.
Details: Antique, Edwardian. Circa 1920 or later. Platinum on 14k rose gold. Rose, old European and old mine cut diamonds; 1.31 carats. Rectangular calibre cut sapphires.
Diamonds trickle down the lobe in these Victorian inspired earrings. Four diamonds are butterfly prong set in 14k rose gold. A smaller diamond drips from a larger one lending the illusion of dancing dewdrops.
Details: Vintage. Circa 1930 or after. 14k rose gold. Round brilliant cut, 0.90 carats. Lever wire backs.
Add a splash of lily-of-the-valley loveliness to your ear lobes with these antique pearl and diamond earrings. The 14k white gold leaf elements of these antique pearl earrings are accentuated with sixteen round single cut diamonds for a total diamond weight of 0.30 carats. The spray motif blossoms of these antique earrings are fashioned of six cream white spherical pearls with a shimmering silver and rose tint. Circa 1950 or later.
Old mine cut diamonds suspend from Eiffel tower-like architectural bridgework in these Edwardian antique earrings. The platinum open framework shimmers with an additional seventeen old style full cut diamonds. These antique earrings secure to the lobe with Shepherd hooks.
Details: Platinum. Old mine and old style full cut diamonds; 1.34 carats. Antique, Circa 1915
Wow! The faceted cutwork of the diamonds in these outstanding stud earrings is eye catching. With every slight turn of the head, the diamonds' dynamic sparkle will capture the light and set it to dance. Both diamonds are GIA certified with a total weight of 3.10 carats. They are set in 18k white gold studs which secure to the lobe via threaded posts.
Details: 18k white gold. Round brilliant cut diamonds; 3.10 carats. Antique style (New)
Carved female Madonnas are backsplashed by coral-colored agate in these Victorian reproduction cameo earrings. Depicting a woman's profile, the centerpiece cameos are cast in a virginal white that contrasts with the warmly hued agate. Their gemstone base is framed with a double tier of 14k yellow gold chain work. These Victorian reproduction earrings have hinged wires.
Details: Victorian Reproduction. 14k yellow gold. Agate cameo.
Sparkling multi-faceted moonstones hang suspended like glittering stars in the night sky in these dangle earrings. 14k white gold chains drip from pyramid triviums that are accented with smaller round moonstones. They culminate in pair of larger briolet moonstones that dance and shimmer in the light. Oversized clutches secure these dazzling earrings to the lobe.
Details: 14k white gold. Moonstones; 4.42 carats.
The three-dimensional effect of these antique rose gold and diamond earrings dazzles like a flower bud unfurling. Make of 14k rose gold, the rosebud gallery of each of these earrings cups a rose cut diamond. The pair of diamonds that centerpiece these Victorian earrings total 0.02 carats. These antique earrings hold securely to the ear with leverbacks. Circa 1880
The aquamarines that are suspended from these vintage dangle earrings frame the face with playful whimsy. The bases of these screw back earrings are constructed of 14k yellow gold and are accented with round aquamarine studs. A pair of matching pear-shaped aquamarines dangles from delicate gold chains that allow them to dance. The total gemstone weight of these vintage aquamarine earrings is 1.82 carats. Circa 1950
Splashes of icy shimmer trickle down with these antique style aquamarine and diamond dangle earrings. Sixteen round brilliant cut diamonds cascade down this antique style dangle earring duo for a total diamond weight of approximately 1.75 carats. At the base, two drop shaped briolette cut aquamarines add a soft spalsh of color. These aquamarine gemstones total approximately 5.0 carats. These earrings are new.
Pearls appear suspended in platinum and diamond horsehoes that drop from streams of diamonds. The dramatic dangle in this pair of Art Deco antique earrings measures 1.72 inches from top to bottom. Details: Platinum. Round single cut diamonds, 0.62 carats. 8.4 mm dark cream pearl; 8.21 mm brownish yellow pearl. Art Deco, Circa 1920.
The teardrop black onyxes that drip from these Art Deco earrings add dramatic impact. Round platinum bullets drizzle from hoop and dangle posts, each one accentuated with a round brilliant cut diamond. Connected to these glimmering cascades are elongated ebony onyxes that delicately grace the neck.
Details: Platinum. Brillian cut diamond; 0.75 carats. Black onyx. Circa 1930.