Victorian Black Onyx Dangle Earrings

These dramatic earrings showcase the adept and artistic craftsmanship of the late 19th century. Taking a cue from Queen Victoria and her tremendous influence on fashion and jewelry, they were quite possibly mourning earrings and are crafted with a substantial amount of black onyx. The onyx is cut into several shapes and set in 15K yellow gold, with millgraining framing each piece. A tiered structure beginning with a large central marquis piece is inset with 3 seed pearls and is surrounded by arrangements of teardrop and diamond-shaped onyx pieces punctuated by seed pearls and gold beads. Beneath that, a free-swinging swag of the onyx pieces continues to a dramatic drop of graduated teardrop-shaped onyx pieces finishing in a diamond-shaped piece.

Such engaging and prominent jewelry pieces created for the protocol of mourners also became very popular in Victorian jewelry fashion as well.

Circa 1890

(A matching Brooch JPCL 1607 and a Cross Pendant JPCL 1597 are offered separately)