Hoop earrings featuring dark faceted stones in the style of silver or gold-plate

This pair of hoop earrings appears to be constructed from a metallic material showing a slightly yellowish or tarnished silver-colored finish, possibly consistent with sterling silver or gold-plated base metal. Each earring features a row of five small, dark faceted stones set into the front curve of the hoop using a multi-prong setting. While the user identifies these as onyx, they could also be dark blue sapphires, spinel, or glass depending on chemical composition; this claim remains unverified without professional stone testing. One earring bears an internal stamp that appears to read 'CHINA', indicating the likely region of manufacture. The metal shows visible signs of surface wear, small scratches, and possible oxidation or plating loss consistent with a contemporary mass-produced jewelry item. The earrings utilize a hinged snap-post closure, a common feature in mid-to-late 20th-century and modern jewelry design. The lack of visible purity hallmarks beyond the country of origin suggests these may be fashion or bridge jewelry rather than high-end fine jewelry, though a physical acid test would be required to identify the metal content accurately.

Based on my visual analysis of the provided images, these earrings appear to be contemporary mass-produced fashion or bridge jewelry. The pair features dark faceted stones, which the owner identifies as onyx, set into a metallic hoop with a hinged snap-post closure. From the photos, I can observe a 'CHINA' mark but no visible purity hallmarks (such as '.925' or '14K'); therefore, I cannot verify the metal content or the chemical composition of the stones without physical testing. The yellow/tarnished finish suggests they may be gold-plated base metal or sterling silver. My valuation assumes the owner's attribution of onyx is a working hypothesis, as the stones could equally be glass, spinel, or synthetic material. The surface shows visible scratches and oxidation consistent with wear. This estimate is based on the typical market for unbranded, mass-produced jewelry of this style. If physical testing were to reveal the metal is solid 14k gold, the value would increase significantly based on melt weight and secondary market demand. Conversely, if the base metal is non-precious and the stones are glass, the value would sit at the lower end of the range. To confirm these findings and possibly increase the valuation, I would recommend a professional acid test for metal purity and a thermal conductivity test for the stones. As an unauthenticated pair of mass-produced earrings likely intended for the commercial retail market, they currently trade as decorative fashion accessories.