Round Brilliant-Cut Colorless Gemstone Stud Earrings in Yellow Gold Settings

A pair of stud earrings featuring large, round brilliant-cut colorless gemstones held in yellow gold prong settings. While provided context mentions 'real pearls,' these specific items are faceted transparent stones, likely cubic zirconia, moissanite, or white topaz, given the visible facet abrasion and lack of internal fire typical of high-grade diamonds. Each stone is secured by four substantial flat-tab prongs. The stones show significant surface wear along the facet edges (junctions), which is a common indicator of softer gemstone materials or synthetic stimulants rather than diamonds. The yellow gold mountings appear to be contemporary in style, likely late 20th century to modern. The craftsmanship of the settings is functional and standard for mass-marketed fine jewelry. There are no visible maker's marks or hallmarks from this angle; however, the metal shows a bright, polished finish with minimal oxidation. One stone exhibits a slightly cloudy or 'sleepy' appearance, which may be due to surface oils or the inherent quality of the material. The size of the stones suggests a significant carat-weight equivalent, approximately 1.5 to 2.0 carats each if they were diamonds.

Based on my visual examination of the provided images, I have evaluated this pair of stud earrings featuring large, round brilliant-cut colorless gemstones in yellow gold four-prong settings. Despite the owner's provided context mentioning 'real pearls,' these are definitively faceted transparent stones. The stones exhibit significant surface wear and facet junction abrasion, which is highly characteristic of softer gemstone materials or synthetic simulants such as cubic zirconia (CZ) or white topaz, rather than diamond or moissanite. Each stone carries a diamond-equivalent weight of approximately 1.5 to 2.0 carats. The yellow gold mountings are standard, mass-market functional designs typical of late 20th-century to modern contemporary jewelry. Because the stones are likely synthetic simulants or low-grade semi-precious gems, the secondary market value is largely dependent on the intrinsic value of the precious metal mountings (assuming 10k or 14k gold). Demand for second-hand CZ or topaz studs is generally low. Please note that this appraisal is based solely on photographic evidence. To definitively authenticate the materials and establish a precise value, an in-person examination is required. This would include thermal conductivity testing and refractive index measurement to verify the gemstone species, as well as acid or electronic testing to confirm the exact karat purity of the yellow gold settings.