Pair of yellow-tone stud earrings with pear-cut blue stones

This item consists of a pair of stud earrings featuring pear-cut, faceted gemstones of a deep blue hue. The stones are secured in multi-prong settings and are accented by a curved, yellow-toned metal sweep that tapers at both ends, a style often consistent with late-20th-century jewelry design. Each earring appears to include a single, small colorless accent stone set at the top of the metal flourish. The metal displays a polished yellow finish, though its specific composition (such as gold-plated, gold-filled, or karat gold) cannot be determined from the image alone without visible hallmarks. The central blue gemstones are consistent in appearance with London Blue Topaz, though they could also be synthetic spinel or glass; professional testing would be required to identify the mineral species. No maker's marks or metal purity stamps are legible in the photograph. The earrings are presented in a velvet-lined display box which appears to show light wear. The overall condition of the jewelry appears good, with no missing stones or significant visible tarnishing, though fine surface scratches on the metal are typical for pre-owned items.

Based on the provided imagery, I have evaluated this pair of yellow-tone stud earrings featuring pear-cut blue stones. The design is consistent with late-20th-century aesthetics, specifically the 1980s or 1990s. While I cannot verify the metal purity or gemstone identity from a photograph alone, the blue stones are visually consistent with London Blue Topaz, though they could potentially be synthetic spinel or glass. The yellow metal may be 10k or 14k gold, or a gold-plated base metal; physical testing for hallmarks and acid testing would be necessary to confirm the composition. The estimated range of $150-$450 assumes the metal is 14k gold and the stones are genuine blue topaz, reflecting typical secondary market demand for mid-range vintage jewelry. If the items are determined to be costume jewelry (gold-plated with glass or synthetic stones) upon physical inspection, the value would likely decrease to $20-$50. Conversely, if the accent stones—currently assumed to be cubic zirconia or small diamonds—are of high quality, the value could sit at the higher end of the range. I cannot confirm the presence of maker's marks, which would further refine this hypothesis. To establish a more precise valuation, I would require an in-person examination to perform thermal conductivity testing on the gemstones and a chemical analysis of the metal. Market demand for this style remains stable among collectors of vintage 'sweep' designs, but the lack of verifiable provenance or hallmark information remains a significant factor in this conservative estimate.