Vintage Red Bead Dangle Screw-Back Earring Appraisal
Category: Jewelry
Description
This is a single dangle screw-back earring. The earring features a gold-toned spherical finial that attaches to the earlobe via a screw mechanism for adjustment. A delicate gold-toned wire loop extends from the finial, connecting to a series of six deep red to reddish-purple beads. The arrangement of the beads is such that the top bead is a singular, smaller, round bead. Below this is a larger, faceted bead with a irregular shape, presenting as somewhat cuboidal. The lowest section consists of four smaller, round beads clustered together, resembling a small berry or cluster of grapes. The beads appear to be semi-translucent or translucent in the light. There are no visible markings or stamps on the gold-toned components to indicate material purity or manufacturer. The overall construction appears to be handcrafted, suggested by the simple wire loop attachment and the varied bead shapes. The condition appears good, with no obvious signs of damage to the beads or the metal components. The screw-back mechanism seems intact and functional. The style is somewhat vintage, possibly mid to late 20th century. The beads could potentially be garnet or similar red semi-precious stones based on their color and visual properties. The quality of craftsmanship appears modest, consistent with costume or artisan jewelry.
Appraisal Report
Upon examining the image of this single Vintage Red Bead Dangle Screw-Back Earring, I find the item to be in good overall condition. The screw-back mechanism appears intact and functional, and the beads show no obvious signs of chips or cracks. The gold-toned metal components appear free from major damage or significant wear. Authenticity based solely on the image suggests this is a vintage earring from the mid to late 20th century, likely handcrafted costume or artisan jewelry. The beads, while visually appealing with their deep red to reddish-purple hue and semi-translucent quality, cannot be definitively identified as garnet or any other specific semi-precious stone without in-person testing. The lack of material stamps on the metal components further limits verification of material purity from the image. In terms of market conditions, single earrings generally have significantly less value than pairs. Vintage costume jewelry has a niche market, but the value is heavily dependent on designer attribution, material quality, and historical significance, none of which can be confirmed from the image alone. Comparables in the market for single vintage costume earrings with similar beadwork typically fetch modest prices, usually within the $10 to $40 range depending on condition and aesthetic appeal. Demand for single earrings is low, and while vintage items can be desirable, this specific piece doesn't appear exceptionally rare or unique based on the visual details available. Factors significantly impacting value here are the fact it's a single earring and the inability to definitively identify the bead material. To fully authenticate this item and its materials, an in-person examination would be necessary, including testing of the beads (such as refractive index or specific gravity tests) and possibly the metal. Provenance documentation, if available, could also significantly impact the perceived value and authenticity.
Appraisal Value
$15 - $30