Victorian Cut Steel & Faux Pearl Earrings

Cut Steel is polished steel faceted studs riveted to a steel backing to fashion jewelry, ornaments and buttons. Motifs varied from the simple to the sublime, with multiple layers and densely packed studs. Designs could be enhanced by the use of varying sized studs and each stud could have up to 15 facets. Popular throughout the Georgian and Victorian eras, in general the finer and older the piece, the more facets the studs will have. Made in both England and Europe, this style of jewelry fell out of favor by the turn of the 19th century, but continues to be very collectable with Victorian jewelry collectors!

A wonderful example of cut steel from the Victorian (ca1880) era! Each of these lovely earrings hang from a cut steel flower shaped surmount which attaches to a silver earring wire. Dangling from the surmount is a single, open tear drop shape that is lined in cut steel rivets. Swinging in the center of the tear drop is a nice sized faux pearl. The pearls. which could easily be mistaken as the real thing, have a soft golden color and a nice sheen to the surface. All of the cut steel is riveted onto a brass back. These fabulous earrings would make a wonderful addition to any collection!

Measurements: The earrings hang approximately 2" long, are approximately 3/4" at the widest point and the pearl has a depth of a little less than 3/8".

Condition: The overall condition of the earrings is excellent. Besides a small amount of surface rust, there is no apparent damage to any of the steel rivets, the faux pearls or to the wires.