made in Moscow between 1899 and 1908.
These classic antique cluster earrings feature two excellent old mine cut Russian demantoids surrounded by rose cut diamonds. The demantoids are clean and sparkly.
Both stones have some very fine “horsetails” which are typical for demantoids from the Ural Mountains.
The demantoids measure: 5.8 x 5.5 x 3.8 mm, approximately 1.04 carats and 5.7 x 5.3 x 3.5 mm, approximately 0.91 ct.
Estimated total demantoid weight is 1.95 carats.
The earrings are marked with 56 zolotnik old Russian gold standard with assayer’s initials ‘ИЛ’ for Ivan Lebedkin (1899-1908), and maker’s initials.
Diameter of the clusters is 10 mm (3/8 in.)
Weight: 1.71 and 1.69 grams
The earrings have back to front closures, which are comfortable to wear, but it might take some time to get used to putting them on. This type of closure was very popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Tsarist era demantoid earrings with demantoids of this size are very rare today.