Pair of stud earrings featuring colorless stones

This item is a pair of stud-style earrings, each set with a single round brilliant-cut colorless stone. The stones are held by what appears to be a multi-prong buttercup or crown-style setting with scrolling metalwork at the base. The metal displays a dull, grayish-white luster and visible surface oxidation or residue, which is stylistically consistent with sterling silver or silver-plated base metal that has developed a patina. No maker's marks, hallmarks, or metal fineness stamps (such as '925') are clearly legible in the image, so the material composition remains unverified without physical testing. The stones appear to be clear with high brilliance, consistent with materials like cubic zirconia, white sapphire, or diamond, though they cannot be identified by photo alone. The earrings feature standard friction backs (butterfly backs), one of which is visible behind the setting. The construction suggests a contemporary or late 20th-century design. Due to the lack of visible hallmarks, these are categorized generally as costume or fine jewelry until the metal and stones can be professionally appraised.

Based on my visual examination of the photo, these stud earrings appear to be contemporary costume or silver-toned jewelry. I cannot verify the metal composition or the identity of the stones from an image alone; however, the dull gray luster and surface patina are consistent with sterling silver or silver-plated base metal. The colorless round brilliant stones display high brilliance, which is a characteristic common to cubic zirconia or white sapphire, though I cannot rule out other materials without physical testing. I can't see any legible hallmarks or fineness stamps, such as a '925' mark, which suggests the attribution remains hypothetical. The value estimate is based on the assumption that these are sterling silver set with high-quality synthetic stones. If physical testing were to reveal the metal is a common base metal or the stones are simple glass, the value would likely fall below $15. Conversely, if in-person examination using a diamond tester or refractometer identified the stones as diamonds and the metal as gold or platinum, the value would increase significantly based on carat weight and metal purity. The current market demand for unbranded, contemporary-style silver studs is steady but heavily supplied, typically reflecting their decorative value rather than investment potential. To confirm the identity and value of this pair, I would need a physical inspection to perform an acid test for metal fineness and a thermal conductivity test for the stones.