At Silver Mine Gifts we pride ourselves in offering our customers unique silver earrings that mimic Victorian times. We specialize in antique reproduction silver earrings with a special emphasis on the sentimental nostalgia of days gone by.
Filigree Silver Earrings
Filigree or Telkari ("wire work") is formed using very thin strands of silver that are twisted and soldered to create the look of lace. This style has been quite popular in France since the 1660s. This technique is actually quite ancient and was during the Roman times from the 6th to 3rd centuries special filigree masters were in high demand far and wide.
During medieval times, these lacy silver and gold earrings were designed by skilled jewelers to mimic Byzantine jewelry. This lace work also carried over into religious work of the time including filigree crosses and bible covers. The Filigree specialty work also carried over to Spain where the Moors were masters of the art.
Filigree was also popular with the Irish. However, instead of using several silver or gold threads twisted together, the Irish like to take one thread and run it through different types of designs from Celtic knots to scary dragons. Irish silver earrings were quite intricate and impressive.
Marcasite Earrings
Marcasite jewelry is made of a mineral called iron pyrite. It is polished and cut with a dark hue that glitters like diamonds. Marcasite jewelry was found in burial tombs of ancient Greek and Inca aristocrats. It was especially popular during Queen Victoria's era. After her husband died, the Queen chose to dress in black to symbolize her eternal mourning. The ladies of the court followed suit and the dark sparkling color of Marcasite became a favorite choice for Victorian jewelry.
Marcasite jewelry because of its somber color is a popular frame for gemstone earrings. Amethyst, onyx and topaz are all quite popular semi-precious stones that have been entombed in marcasite throughout history making spectacular silver earrings, rings and brooches. Today's jewelry makers combine more modern gemstones such as turquoise, cubic zirconia and coral in to Marcasite jewelry masterpieces.
Cameo Silver Earrings
The cameo was born in Egypt around 300 BC. Its original purpose was to make a statement about a religious belief or political viewpoint. The Greeks and Romans carved their cameos in the images of the gods. Some cameos were carved to represent powerful rulers and others were made as charms to attract love.
Cameos have also been used by the military as decorations on sword handles and breastplates. They were also seen on common household objects such as dishes, vases and cups. During Queen Elizabeth I's reign cameos were made to remember important events in a person's life. In the 18th century cameos were actually popular amongst the gentlemen of the time as marks of wealth and breeding. Napoleon loved the cameo so much he actually founded a school dedicated to teaching the art of carving a cameo. As the popularity of the shell cameo grew so did the design we commonly see today as the young lady in silhouette.
Modern Silver Earrings
Taking a step away from the historical development of earrings and moving into the 21st century, our modern day designers have managed to craft some unique silver earrings. Some of their designs center on fun and funny and we are pleased to showcase them here. These earrings make especially wonderful gifts for friends and family. For that young lady who is cute as a button, we have earrings that are truly "cute as a button". For the seamstress in your life we have sewing scissor earrings and for the Goth teenager pick up a pair of our spider earrings.
