Great Edwardian Diamond Gold and Platinum drop earrings.

The earrings are 18 ct yellow gold and platinum topped antique earrings c1905, each with two rings floating around a central old European cut diamond c.080 ct each.   They fit onto the ears with very comfortable Continental or European fittings.  Smooth edged and scalloped rings with rose cut diamonds. Total diamond weight 0.30 ct. Total weight of 5.8 gram.

Platinum was discovered by the Spanish in the 16th century in South America and they called it Platina.  The Mayans had been somehow using this metal for a long time before this.  Platinum is a very dense metal so it needs to be heated to about 1700 degrees to be malleable so it can be worked into jewellery.  It was not until the oxygen blow torch was invented around 1900 that platinum was in commercial use.  Jewellers used platinum in which to set diamonds because it is white like silver, however it is much more durable and very fine settings can be created due to Platinum’s properties.