Verdura "Herkimer" Rock Crystal and Diamond Drop Earrings
View Similar Items
Verdura "Herkimer" Rock Crystal and Diamond Drop Earrings
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Dimensions:Length: 2.25 in (57.15 mm)
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:21st Century
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Chevy Chase, MD
- Reference Number:Seller: 210-7221stDibs: LU4714101921
Verdura
Fulco di Verdura (1898–1978) is not exactly a household name, except for those who know a thing or two about highly original, often eccentric handcrafted jewelry and, even more so, for those fortunate enough to own some. In that exclusive group, Verdura is regarded as the most gifted and coveted designer of his time.
Verdura was born in Sicily in 1898, the scion of a noble family related to the Lampedusas. (His cousin, Giuseppe di Lampedusa, wrote the great Italian saga The Leopard). His life was charmed from birth. Raised in his family’s villa, he grew up during a time when Sicily, and Palermo in particular, were meccas for well-born and highly cultured European travelers.
A bona fide duke with no clear ambitions but creative leanings aplenty (he could draw and paint), the young Verdura was part of the wandering social circuit — the so-called beau monde — that went from capital to capital, resort to resort.
Verdura, though small in stature, had that indefinable quality called charm. As a result, he was the life of every party he attended. When he finally started designing jewelry under Coco Chanel in the late 1920s, many of his friends became his clients (or received the pieces as gifts). Elsa Maxwell took him under her ample wing when she was hired to do public relations for the Lido in Venice and introduced him to the local and visiting cognoscenti. Chanel, whom he met in Venice, hired him to work in the textiles division of her fashion house. But it was his flair for jewelry that soon caught Coco’s eye. Eventually, he rose to become her personal designer of fine jewelry.
In 2002’s Verdura: The Life and Work of a Master Jeweler (Thames & Hudson), Vanity Fair’s Amy Fine Collins describes the sensation of wearing pieces by Verdura, who drew inspiration from nature for his signature gem-studded seashell brooches and honeybee earrings. “They were ingeniously calculated to flatter the wearer,” writes Collins. “Earrings undulated to complement the convolutions of an earlobe, rings seductively followed the phalanges of a finger, and necklaces gracefully traced the anatomy of the throat.”
In 1934, Verdura left Chanel and together with two friends, aspiring actress Princess Natalia Pavlovna Paley and Baron Nicholas de Gunzburg, moved to the U.S. After several stops, he found a job through Diana Vreeland in Hollywood with Paul Flato, then the “jeweler to the stars.” Soon he was signing his work and helping Flato cultivate the crème de la creme of the silver screen — those both on it and behind it.
Verdura left Los Angeles for New York and opened his own salon, first on Fifth Avenue in 1939, just as World War II was beginning in Europe. His backers were Vincent Astor and Cole Porter, for whom he made bejeweled boxes and cigarette cases — gifts from Porter’s wife, Linda — to commemorate the opening nights of several musicals. Verdura began to expand both his repertoire — he became much more daring and flamboyant — and his clientele. The Duchess of Windsor, Daisy Fellowes, Greta Garbo and others routinely gave him commissions. In 1941, Verdura collaborated on a collection of six pieces with Salvador Dalí to accompany a Dalí exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. Verdura retired in 1972 and left the care of the company to his partner, Joseph Alfano. He later moved to London, where he died in 1978 at the age of 79.
Among the most prized pieces on display in a 2014 Verdura jewelry exhibition in New York were Greta Garbo’s curb-link bracelet watch, which Verdura designed for her in 1939; Coco Chanel’s pair of Maltese Cross cuff bracelets (she wore one on each wrist); and Diana Vreeland’s duo of Byzantine brooches.
Find a range of authentic Verdura jewelry today on 1stDibs.
- Scalloped Rock Crystal Quartz and 14 Karat Yellow Gold Clip EarringsLocated in Chevy Chase, MDA simple and fun pair of earrings to wear daily. These scalloped Rock Crystal Quartz earrings will go with any wardrobe. The Rock Crystal Qua...Category
Late 20th Century American Retro Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsRock Crystal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Mariani 1.64 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond and 18 Karat Gold Dangle EarringsBy MarianiLocated in Chevy Chase, MDHandcrafted in Italy by Mariani Gioielli this stunning pair of Diamond drop earrings will light up the night! The 24 round brilliant Diamonds have a total weight of 1.64 carats set ...Category
2010s Italian Modern Dangle Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Pave Diamond and Yellow Gold Leaf Clip EarringsLocated in Chevy Chase, MDA pair of pave diamond and 18 karat yellow gold leaf clip on earrings. Designed with a pave diamond center, surrounded by textured gold with a rope edge. There are 40 round faceted...Category
Late 20th Century American Retro Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold
- 5.32 Carat Diamond and Platinum Clip EarringsLocated in Chevy Chase, MDA gorgeous pair of various shaped Diamond and platinum clip earrings. The 5.32 carats in Diamonds consist of round brilliants, pear shapes, and baguettes. they are graded as G-H color, VS-SI1 clarity. The earrings feature a hinged clip back, to which a post could be added. Offered by Charles Schwartz...Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
$11,500 Sale Price39% Off - Mariani Round Brilliant Diamond and 18 Karat White Gold Stud EarringsBy MarianiLocated in Chevy Chase, MDHandcrafted in Italy by Mariani Gioielli this pair of round brilliant Diamond and 18 karat white gold stud earrings are simply stunning. The 18 Diamonds have a total weight of 1.02 ...Category
2010s Italian Modern Stud Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- 4.84 Carats Multi Shape Diamond and Platinum Clip EarringsLocated in Chevy Chase, MDThese earrings light up a room with all of their shimmer and shine! The earrings are designed as a floral style cluster of multiple shaped Diamonds. It is made up of round brillian...Category
Late 20th Century North American Retro Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Rock Crystal Quartz Hearts and Sapphire and Diamond Gold Drop EarringsLocated in Montreal, QCSimply Beautiful! Finely detailed Rock Crystal Quartz Hearts Dangle Earrings, accented with Sapphire gemstones and Diamonds, weighing approx. 0.05tcw. Hand crafted with 14K Gold moun...Category
Late 20th Century Contemporary Drop Earrings
MaterialsCrystal, Diamond, Quartz, Rock Crystal, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow...
- Rock Crystal Onyx and Diamond Drop Earrings in 18K White GoldLocated in Houston, TXDangle drop earrings composed of 18K white gold, rock crystal spheres, carved onyx, and round diamonds. There are a total of 174 round diamonds that total 2.55 carats; G-H color and...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Dangle Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Onyx, Rock Crystal, Crystal, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Triplet Rock Crystal MOP Lapis Diamond Gold Drop EarringsLocated in New York, NYA pair of brand new beautiful triplet layered earrings. 29.00 Carats Mother-of-pearl is layered over Lapis and topped with clear faceted rock crystal. The earrings are 14K yellow gol...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Drop Earrings
MaterialsRock Crystal, Lapis Lazuli, White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 1...
- Briolette Rock Crystal Yellow Gold Drop Earrings w Emerald Diamond AccentsLocated in Mount Kisco, NYStunning briolette rock crystal teardrops catch light and shimmer as they dangle from fancy trumpeted eighteen karat 18K yellow gold findings. A bezel set .40 carat faceted emerald w...Category
2010s American Dangle Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Art Deco Rock Crystal Faceted Drop EarringsLocated in New York, NYArt deco rock crystal flapper earrings with faceted drops. Set in silver. Made in China in the 1920's. Screw back fittings. Excellent condition...Category
Vintage 1930s Chinese Dangle Earrings
MaterialsRock Crystal, Sterling Silver
- Alex Jona Rock Crystal White Diamond White Gold Cluster Drop EarringsBy Alex JonaLocated in Torino, ITAlex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat white gold pendant earrings, set with two rock crystal briolette clusters weighing 31.8 carats in total and 0.11 carats o...Category
2010s Italian Dangle Earrings
MaterialsAmethyst, Crystal, White Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Whi...