Ottoman Diamond Earrings

These beauties date to the late Ottoman Empire (c.late 1800s), and are composed of 18 carat gold topped with silver (unmarked, but tested).  Each earring is set with three diamonds in foiled, closed-back settings, coming to a total diamond weight of 2.3 carats. The appearance of the diamonds is a sweet, beige-y, champagne-like, peach color, and I’m uncertain if it’s the foil that’s giving the diamonds this hue, or if the diamonds are naturally this color, and it’s difficult to tell without removing the diamonds from their settings. The foil, however, appears to be in excellent condition, giving the diamonds a mirror-like reflection, and doesn’t appear to show signs of damage or significant oxidation.  

All settings are secure, and there are no notable nicks or chips to the diamonds, just some normal, natural inclusions. Slight inconsistent discoloration to the metal settings on undersides of the earrings. Each earring is approximately 1 inch in length, not including the hook.

These earrings have a special little story. They were sourced from a little shop run by a 4th-generation family-owned business on Madison Avenue, NY. The story goes that the family, all those generations ago, had the foresight to buy their little building on Madison Ave instead of renting, so now, to this day, it remains in the family, and no crazy rentals fees have to be paid to corporate landlords. The current owner, in fact, grew up on the floor right above the shop! Originally immigrants from the Middle East, this family used to primarily sell imported textiles like Persian rugs and woven cotton cloths like keffiyehs from Palestine. However, as more and more textile mills in Palestine were destroyed throughout the 20th century, it became harder for them to source those items. So, they instead began sourcing other wonderful rare items, like these Persian Ottoman earrings, among other things, to keep their family business going.

Why did I share another business’s story with you? I always say, at the end of the day, antique jewelry, for me, is about the people and the lives behind the jewels. And that includes the people whose story I just told you; theirs is one of resilience, one of cultural diffusion, and, in a way, an immigrant story. So, you see, there was really just something so magic about these earrings that spoke to me, so much so that I couldn’t leave them behind. I hope you feel their magic, too.