A very cool pair of late-vintage earrings, modeled in 18k gold, with strong, geometric design principles. These earrings are bar-like and slightly curved, so they read almost like a half-hoop, in wear. Vibrant, horizontally-set slabs of inlaid lapis and malachite cover their faces, where these blocks of color are divided by slender strips of yellow gold. Hand-cut inlays like these, with precisely curved backsides that form a complete arch when laid together, require a skilled and patient lapidary! Our malachite and lapis gems are laid atop a thick yellow gold backplate. The earrings' post-backs are fitted with hand-built clutches. We love these easy-going earrings for their stripy, color-blocked aesthetic and their bold, clean lines! These feel very contemporary, but date to the 1980s-1990s. Marked 18k, for purity.

Materials

18k gold
Malachite
Lapis

Age

c. 1980 - 1990

Dimensions

Total drop measures approx 16.5 mm; width is approx 6.8 mm; weight is approx 4.3 grams.