Cartier Japanese Cultured Pearl and Diamond Earrings
$17,500
These exquisite late 20th century gold earrings with pearls and diamonds by Cartier exude grace and assured calm. Centering on two remarkable Japanese cultured pearls, a graduated line of prong-set round diamonds arcs over the top of the pearl while three lines of diamonds extend from its base. The Retro, streamlined elegance of the design speaks to the placid, smooth luster of the pearls and the brilliance of the diamonds light up the face.
- Product Details
- Curator's Notes
Item #: ER-18880
Artist: Cartier
Country: France
Circa: 1990
Size: 1” length, 0.5” width
Materials: 2 Japanese cultured pearls (8mm each); 74 brilliant round-cut diamonds (approximate total weight 2.50 carats); 18K Gold
Signed: "Cartier 750 607456," and French control marks
Natural pearls had been widely sought-after for several thousands of years, but their production was erratic and insufficient, leading to a large demand for pearl jewelry. After several years of experimentation, Kokichi Mikimoto was able to produce the first cultured pearls in Japan in 1893, by delicately manipulating the pearl development process, placing a round shell bead into a living pearl oyster, and then placing it back into freshwater or saltwater environments.