Antique Austro-Hungarian Silver, Turquoise and Pearl Star Earrings

A pair of finely crafted silver stars are set with petite Persian turquoise cabochons, and the tiniest seed pearls I have ever seen! These beautiful Austro-Hungarian earrings date to the very end of the 19th century, and came to me in dire need of restoration. They were fitted with poorly-soldered, soft silver wires that had been bent in an attempt to turn them into studs. I replaced these wires with historically accurate silver hooks, shaped by hand from hand-drawn sterling wire according to historic examples. I cannot be certain that these would have initially been fitted with hooks- there is an equal chance that they were once screw backs, but hooks were the more wearable option. 

These earrings are in good, wearable condition. Some of the turquoise has darkened with age, which I think is one of turquoise's lovelier qualities, as it cannot be convincingly faked. There are 2 small chips- one to a turquoise cabochon at the end of a star point, and one to one of the center cabochons. These do not detract from the beauty of these dainty but elaborate earrings. These earrings measure 1" from top of hook to bottom point, and 11/16" from point to point.