Pair of Vintage Byzantine-Style Gem-Set Clip-On Earrings

This is a pair of vintage clip-on earrings featuring a bold, three-dimensional geometric design reminiscent of Byzantine or Etruscan Revival styles. The earrings are constructed from a cast yellow metal, potentially gold-plated or high-quality gilt brass, with a distinct matte, brushed, or 'satin' finish that gives the metal a soft, warm glow. Each earring is shaped into a truncated pyramid or rounded triangular form, measuring approximately 1 inch in diameter. They are accented with multiple small cabochon and round-cut faux or semi-precious gemstones in a variety of colors including deep ruby red, emerald green, sapphire blue, and clear crystals. The stones are set in raised bezels scattered across the faces and corners of the metal structure, creating a textured, 'studded' appearance. The craftsmanship suggests mid-to-late 20th-century costume jewelry, possibly from a high-end designer like Kenneth Jay Lane or Trifari, known for such ornate revivalist pieces. Condition appears fair to good; there is visible surface wear to the gold plating and some accumulation of dust or verdigris in the crevices between the stones and the metal. The mechanical clip-on backs appear intact, though minor tension adjustment may be needed due to age. No hallmarks are immediately visible in the provided image.

I have conducted a visual examination of this pair of Byzantine-style clip-on earrings. The design features a truncated pyramid geometry synonymous with the 'Etruscan Revival' aesthetic popularized in the 1980s by designers such as Kenneth Jay Lane. Physically, the earrings display a rich satin-gold finish with multi-colored cabochon accents. While the condition is overall fair-to-good, I observed significant surface wear and oxidation (verdigris) in the recesses, which suggests the base metal is likely a non-precious copper-based alloy with heavy gold plating. The market for vintage costume jewelry remains stable, particularly for bold 'statement' pieces. Comparables for unsigned high-end revivalist jewelry currently trade in the $100-$200 range. If these were authenticated as signed pieces by a major house like Chanel or Christian Dior, the value could triple; however, without visible hallmarks, they must be appraised as 'attributed to' or high-quality anonymous costume pieces. Limitations: This appraisal is based solely on visual inspection of the provided image. To establish a definitive valuation, an in-person examination is required to check for hidden makers' marks behind the clips, verify stone security, and perform a streak test to confirm the gold-plate thickness. The presence of verdigris suggests the plating has been compromised, which slightly depresses the value compared to mint-condition specimens. Definitive authentication would require provenance documentation or a confirmed catalog match from the purported era of manufacture.