Description
Materials: natural South American emeralds (likely Columbian), solid 18k gold (marked and tested via acid & electronic gold tester)
Workmanship origin: Spain, probably Cordoba
Marks: – [A lion sergeant] punched in three places, for solid 18k gold
Weight: 17.2 grams
Height: 62 mm
Width (at widest point): 37 mm
Total emerald count: 78 (39 in each earring x 2)
Dimension of emeralds (in mm):
Six largest: 5.3 x 3, 5 x 3, 4.4 x 3.6, 4 x 4, 3.8 x 3.3, 3.8 x 3.5 mm
The rest: 2.8 x 2.4, 2.8 x 2.8, two at 2.7 x 2.2, four at 2.6 x 2, nine at 2.4 x 2, five at 2.4 x 2.4, seven at 2.2 x 2.2, four at 2.2 x 2, five at 2 x 1.6, twelve at 1.8 x 1.6, nine at 1.6 x 1.6, two at 1.4 x 1.2, 1.2 x 1.2
Approx. Emerald Total Carat Weight: 6.23 ctw
Condition: A 7 x 7 mm area at the left tip of one pendant was missing; my jeweler has replaced this missing area to match with 18k gold and a natural emerald. Due to the age of the earrings and due to emeralds being a gem with a low toughness grade, several of the emeralds bear surface blemishes such as small chips, nicks, pits, and facet junction abrasions. The back of the pendants show dents and surface depressions. Both earrings show evidence of repair at the connector areas, with remnants of old solder at the joints. The original ear wires have been preserved; however, the catch eyelet for the wires in both earrings have been repaired over the years, probably due to extensive friction and wear from use. The hang of one pendant earring is not perfectly vertical. There is expected age-related surface wear to the gold.