Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 15

Antique Chinese Late Qing Carved Pink Tourmaline Art Deco Diamond Earrings

About the Item

Late Qing The antique Chinese tourmaline carvings depicting a pair of birds, perhaps magpies, on a gourd, a symbol of mystery, longevity and used as an amulet. The pair of magpies representing double happiness. Tourmalines: Each measuring 32mm by 15mm by 7mm, each approximately 27.5 carats, 55 TCW; Highly transparent, of bright pink colour with good saturation, shows typical minor natural inclusions and fissures under 10X magnification and not easily seen with unaided eye. Diamonds: H-I, VS, Baguette and Old European cut, approximately 1.25 TCW Length: 2.57 inches Width: .57 inches Striking Art Deco period diamond white gold settings accent the delicately carved vibrant pink tourmalines often refered to as Rubellite. In the 1920's, popularized by Cartier, the combination of carved gemstones with Art Deco style diamond settings led to the design know as Tutti Frutti. Juxtposition of stylized linear motifs of the diamonds and the sinuously flowing shapes of the carved gems form a beautifully balanced elegant design. Pink tourmalines were favorites of the Empress Dowager Cixi during the Qing Dynasty with a number of pieces in the collection of the National Palace Museum. The gemstone was used as court beads worn by the Qing Dynasty emperor or empress to complement informal dress. High level officials, as well as royal concubines, would use a tourmaline gem for the top bead of their court hats. According to ancient legend, tourmalines were believed to be found in all colors because upon their journey from the center of the earth, they traveled upon a rainbow, gathering all of the rainbow's colors. Historically, tourmalines were important gemstones in ancient China. At the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, a tourmaline was used to make the royal seal which gave the Emperor royal legal status to the power inherited from heaven.
  • Metal:
  • Stone:
  • Stone Cut:
  • Dimensions:
    Width: 0.6 in (15 mm)Length: 2.56 in (65 mm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Style:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    19th Century
  • Condition:
    Additions or alterations made to the original: These earrings have been converted to post backs.. Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1887219045842

More From This Seller

View All
Art Deco Tutti Frutti Diamond Sapphire Carved Ruby Platinum Earrings, Circa 1920
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite Art Deco period Tutti Frutti diamond, cabochon sapphire, carved ruby platinum earrings. Circa 1920 Each designed as a stylized diamond b...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum

Antique Art Deco 18K White Gold Diamond, Carved Green Onyx Scarab Amulet Ring
Located in New York, NY
Fine Art Deco period 18K white gold, diamond, carved green onyx scarab amulet ring Circa 1920 This beautiful ring features a vibrant, finely carved emerald green onyx scarab surround...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Georgian Pink Tourmaline 18k Cannetille Gold Butterfly Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Antique Cannetille jewelry is highly admired for its exquisitely detailed hand wrought gold work reputedly inspired by fine lace embroidery of the 1...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Brooches

Materials

Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage 1980's Fluted Rock Crystal Diamond 14k Yellow Gold Statement Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Lovely, large fluted rock crystal, diamond, 14K yellow gold statement earrings in the Classical Roman style. Estate sourced, circa 1980's. Wonderful dramatic scale, just over 2 inche...
Category

20th Century Classical Roman Drop Earrings

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Georgian Day to Night 2.8TCW Rose Cut Diamond Silver Topped 14K Gold Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Rare, highly romantic, transformable day to night Georgian period Rose Cut diamond silver topped 14K gold Acorn motif earrings Late 18th - early 19th century In Celtic culture, the a...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Georgian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Art Deco Period Tutti Frutti Diamond Sapphire Carved Ruby Platinum Ring
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful, unusual Art Deco period Tutti Frutti diamond, cabochon sapphire, carved ruby ring. Circa 1920 Designed as a diamond basket laden with cabochon sapphire fruit and carved ruby foliage. The basket centers a 1.2 carat marquise shaped diamond above an emerald cut .60 carat diamond, flanked by a pair of Old European cut collet set diamonds, .30 TCW, with 8 single cut diamonds composing the body of the basket and 4 collet set Old Mine diamonds interspersed with the sapphires and ruby gemstones. Tutti Frutti Art Deco rings are exceedingly rare, most creations were designed in the form of brooches. A fruit bowl brooch designed by Charles Jacqueau and made by Picq for Cartier, features similar round cabochon gemstones to the pair of sapphires in this ring. Interestingly, this Cartier brooch was sold to Princesse de Polignac, bought back into stock and subsequently resold the very same day to Grand Duke Paul of Russia, illustrated in Cartier 1900...
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum

You May Also Like

Rose Pink Tourmaline Diamond Earrings
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
These 14K Yellow Gold Rose Pink Tourmaline Diamond Earrings are a sophisticated addition to any collection. Featuring four oval-shaped rose pink tourmalines, the vibrant stones are f...
Category

20th Century Unknown Retro Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Pink Tourmaline and Diamond Earrings
Located in Chicago, IL
These bright and colorful earrings contain four oval pink tourmalines weighing approximately 11.00 carats total, surrounded by round brilliant cut diamonds weighing approximately 2....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold

Pink Tourmaline Emerald Diamond Art Deco Style Drop Earrings in 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
This is an exquisite pair of opal drop earrings with Art Deco ear design. The earrings feature a geometric design which is set with pink tourmaline for th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Pink Tourmaline Drop Earrings
By M&V Vanguard Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
Pink Tourmaline Drop Earrings Mounted in 14k YG Totaling 5.04ct About 32mm long
Category

2010s American Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Chinese Sterling Silver Carved Jade Earrings
Located in Narberth, PA
A beautiful pair of carved jade earrings from the Art Deco (ca1920s) era! Crafted in sterling silver, each earring begins with a circular surmount, which features intricate wirework....
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Jade, Sterling Silver

Rare tourmaline earrings Art Deco style chunky earrings amazing
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Stunning srop earrings with natural tourmalines and diamonds in 14KT gold. Tourmalines are over 4 carats, diamonds are 0.10ct, stunning fine quality gems and diamonds, will come wit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold

Recently Viewed

View All