South American-style drop earrings with malachite-colored beads

A pair of long, decorative drop earrings featuring a multi-strand construction. Each earring begins with a silver-tone shepherd's hook wire leading to a conical metal cap. Below this cap are four strands of liquid-silver style tubes and small spherical beads, interrupted by green-and-black banded cylindrical beads that appear consistent with malachite. These strands connect to a central circular medallion embossed with a 'Sun God' or Inti-mask motif, which is stylistically consistent with Andean or Peruvian folk art. Below the medallion are four dangling tassels ending in elongated conical finials. The metal appears to be silver-toned; however, without visible hallmarks such as '925' or 'Sterling' being legible in the photograph, the metal content is unverified and might be silver-plated or base metal. There is a noticeable dark patina and tarnishing on the conical caps and lower finials, suggesting some age or exposure. The craft level is consistent with mid-to-late 20th-century artisan tourist jewelry. Because no maker's marks or signatures are visible, this identification is based solely on the visual iconography and material composition.

Based on my visual examination of the provided image, these earrings appear to be mid-to-late 20th-century artisan jewelry in the Peruvian or Andean folk art style. The iconography featuring the 'Sun God' motif suggests a South American origin, though I cannot verify a specific workshop or artist without hallmarks. From what I can see, the materials include green-and-black banded beads consistent with malachite and silver-toned metal components. I cannot determine from a photo if the metal is sterling silver, silver-plated, or a base metal alloy like alpaca silver. The presence of patina suggests some age, but scientific testing or a physical acid test would be required to confirm the metal purity. The value estimate of $45-$85 reflects the current secondary market for artisan-made 'liquid silver' style tourist jewelry. This range assumes the beads are natural stone and the metal is at least a high-quality plating or coin silver. If the metal were to be hallmarked as .925 sterling silver upon physical inspection, the value could reach the higher end of the range. Conversely, if the beads are determined to be glass or synthetic and the metal is a base alloy, the value would likely drop to $15-$25. The market for this type of ethnographic-style jewelry remains steady among collectors of bohemian and vintage accessories, though the lack of a maker's mark limits its investment potential. To confirm the identity of the materials and origin, I would recommend an in-person examination by a jeweler to check for hidden marks and verify the stone density and metal content.