Vintage Black Cameo Brooch And Clip On Earring Set Appraisal

Vintage Black Cameo Brooch and Clip-On Earring Set

This is a vintage cameo jewelry set consisting of a large oval brooch and a pair of matching clip-on earrings. The brooch features a central oval cameo depicting a classical female bust in profile, carved in a light grey or silvery material with intricate detailing in the hair and facial features, set against a darker, possibly black or very dark grey, background which appears to be a separate carved border, perhaps resin or jet. This central cameo is surrounded by a double border of rhinestones. The inner border consists of larger, elongated marquise-cut black stones alternating with smaller, round clear rhinestones. The outer border is composed entirely of clear, round rhinestones, creating a radiant halo effect. The metal setting appears to be a silver-tone base metal, possibly rhodium-plated for shine, with prongs holding each stone securely. The earrings echo the design of the brooch, albeit on a smaller scale, each featuring a miniature cameo head set against a black ground, surrounded by a cluster of black marquise-cut stones and clear round rhinestones. The backs of the earrings clearly show a clip-on mechanism, characteristic of vintage costume jewelry. Overall, the set exhibits good craftsmanship for costume jewelry, with all stones present and appearing to be intact, though some clear rhinestones show slight dimming or cloudiness consistent with age and minor wear. There are no obvious signs of significant damage like chips or cracks on the cameos or stones. The style and materials suggest a mid-20th century origin, likely 1940s-1960s, a period when costume jewelry with classical motifs was popular. The dark color palette gives the set a sophisticated and somewhat dramatic aesthetic.