Mabe Swirl Earrings - Large

Mabe Pearl Granulated Earrings in Vermeil

Mabe pearls are the featured gemstone in these earrings which are highlighted in textured swirls and granules. The earrings are 24k vermeil which means that items made of silver that are plated with high karat gold. To be considered vermeil, a piece has to be coated with gold that is 22 to 24 karats pure. In addition, the thickness of the gold layer has to be at least 2.5 microns, which is thicker than simply “plated” items. These one of a kind earrings are made with the ancient process of granulation. Granulation takes years of practice using the purest of metals. Each wire of the leaf is set on a pure silver back sheet. The piece is then heated almost to the melting point. At that precise moment, the wires and granules fuse and become all one piece.

Pearls are 13 mm round. The setting is 25 x 20 mm oval.  Earrings hang about 1.25 inches from the earlobe, with a long, fixed ear wire on the back. Signed on the back by the artist.