Vintage Avon Silver-Tone Faux Turquoise Cabochon Button Earrings

A pair of vintage estate button-style earrings from Avon, likely dating from the 1970s to 1980s. Each earring features a central, oval-shaped faux turquoise cabochon with a smooth, domed finish and a vibrant robin-egg blue color. The stone is secured within a multi-layered decorative silver-tone metal frame. The innermost border consists of a fine beaded or 'milgrain' texture, followed by an outer sculptural rope-twist or 'swirl' design that provides significant depth and dimension. The metal has an antiqued or oxidized finish within the recessed areas to accentuate the intricate textural details, contrasting with the bright polished highlights on the raised surfaces. The construction suggests a clip-on or post-back mechanism typical of the period's costume jewelry standards. In terms of condition, the earrings appear well-preserved with a uniform patina; no visible chips to the cabochons are present, and the silver-tone plating remains largely intact without significant pitting or greening (verdigris). These pieces represent the high-quality mass-market craftsmanship associated with Avon's mid-century jewelry lines, characterized by sturdy casting and classic Southwestern-inspired aesthetics.

I have examined the digital representation of these vintage Avon clip-on earrings. Based on the sculptural rope-twist borders and faux turquoise cabochons, I identify these as consistent with Avon's 'Western' or 'Southwestern' inspired lines from the late 1970s. The condition appears 'excellent vintage,' showing minimal wear to the silver-tone plating and no apparent crazing or dulling of the acrylic/glass cabochons. The antiqued finish in the recesses is indicative of mass-market production techniques used to simulate high-end silver work. The market for vintage Avon costume jewelry is stable but characterized by high supply. While these earrings are well-crafted and collectible, they were produced in large quantities, which limits their rarity. Similar examples frequently sell within the $15 to $25 range on secondary markets like eBay or Etsy. Factors positively impacting the value include the preservation of the plating and the continued popularity of the Southwestern aesthetic. Conversely, the lack of original packaging slightly reduces the potential premium for a collector. Please note that an appraisal from images alone cannot confirm the structural integrity of the clip mechanisms or the presence of microscopic verdigris. A physical inspection would be required to verify hallmarks for date coding and to confirm the base metal composition via scratch testing if there were any suspicion of sterling silver, though the visual evidence strongly suggests plated base metal. No further scientific testing is required for items of this class unless provenance linked them to a specific historical figure.