Collection of Mid-Century Screw-Back Costume Earrings

This collection consists of three unique pairs of vintage costume earrings, each featuring early to mid-20th-century screw-back findings. The first set is a pair of black cluster earrings composed of faceted jet-style glass or plastic beads arranged in a tight floral or grape-like bundle. The metal findings show significant oxidation and a dark patina consistent with age. The second set is a pair of vibrant red cabochon earrings, likely molded glass or thermoplastic, in a trefoil arrangement accented with small clear chaton-cut rhinestones. One stone appears to be missing on the right-hand earring of this pair. The third set features white floral clusters with elongated, petal-shaped beads that suggest a milk glass or early resin composition, arranged to resemble blooming daisies or chrysanthemums. These white earrings show visible surface grime and slight discoloration in the crevices of the petals. Overall, the construction points to mass-produced fashion jewelry from the 1940s to 1950s. The metal bases appear to be brass or base metal with varying degrees of finish wear. While there are no visible maker's marks from this angle, the screw-back mechanism was a staple of the era before clip-ons and pierced styles became more dominant.

I have examined the images of this three-pair collection of mid-century screw-back costume earrings. The set represents quintessential mass-market fashion from the 1940s and 1950s. The black jet-style clusters, red cabochon trefoils, and white milk glass-style florals are hallmark designs of the era. Upon close inspection, the condition varies across the collection: the red pair suffers from a missing rhinestone, and the white set shows significant accumulation of grime and oxidation. The black pair exhibits a heavy patina on the findings, which is expected for base metal components of this age. Markets for unsigned costume jewelry remain stable but niche, typically sold through vintage boutiques or online marketplaces. Comparables for unsigned, mid-tier sets in this condition usually realize $15 to $25 per pair. The value is limited by the lack of a prestigious maker's mark (such as Trifari or Miriam Haskell) and the visible wear. Authenticity as 'vintage' is supported by the screw-back mechanisms and bead molding techniques. However, definitive verification of materials (e.g., distinguishing between early thermoset plastics and glass) or identifying potential hidden signatures on the screw heads requires a physical loupe examination. Without in-person testing for material density or ultraviolet fluorescence, I cannot rule out later 20th-century reproductions, though the oxidation patterns suggest genuine age. Provenance regarding the original purchase or previous ownership would further solidify the dating of these pieces.