Vintage Mid-Century Rhinestone Earrings From A French Brocante $82

Have you ever come across a piece of vintage jewelry that made you wonder how something so small could hold so much of another era within it, especially when it was discovered at a French flea market, tucked among decades of old jewelry with no signature to tell you who made it and no story to reveal the woman who may have worn it before you? That sense of mystery is exactly what drew me to these vintage earrings. Acquired from a brocante in France, they have the wonderfully expressive character that makes old costume jewelry so difficult for me to resist. Brilliant sapphire blue rhinestones catch the light with unexpected flashes of turquoise, violet, and green, creating an Aurora Borealis effect that seems to change each time you look at them. And then there is the metalwork itself. Their softly domed shape is filled with elaborate gold tone scrolls, floral details, and delicate openwork, all surrounded by a finely textured border. They have just enough presence to feel glamorous without becoming overly formal. They are the sort of earrings that could completely change the mood of a simple white shirt, a favorite black dress, or a beautifully worn sweater. Perhaps what I love most, though, is everything about them that remains unknown. There is no maker's signature on the back and no little box telling us where they began. We are left instead to imagine the woman who may have once stood in front of her mirror and chosen them. Perhaps they were saved for evenings out. Perhaps they were worn far more casually, whenever an ordinary day called for a little color and sparkle. 

Somehow, decades later, they found their way to a flea market stall and eventually into my hands. That is part of the romance of vintage jewelry for me. You are never simply acquiring an object. You are becoming part of a story that was already underway long before you arrived. It is also what makes vintage jewelry such a thoughtful gift. For someone who loves France, brocante hunting, or beautiful things with a past, these earrings feel far more personal than something chosen from a row of identical pieces. They have already been found once, chosen again, and are now ready to become part of someone else's jewelry box and memories. Beautifully preserved in excellent vintage condition, they are one of those wonderfully individual brocante finds that cannot simply be reordered once they are gone. 

Details • Product Type: Vintage pierced earrings • Era: Most likely late 1950's to 1960's • Style: Mid century domed statement earrings • Design: Floral inspired openwork scroll detailing • Stones: Faceted sapphire blue rhinestones with Aurora Borealis style iridescence • Material: Gold tone costume metal • Signature: Unsigned • Provenance: Acquired from a brocante in France • Measurements: 1 1/4" • Condition: Excellent vintage condition • Category: Vintage costume jewelry • Gift Intent: A one of a kind gift for lovers of vintage jewelry, French brocante finds, and beautifully storied pieces  

$82 (free shipping - U.S. ONLY)
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