Unique American Gold Quartz Earrings

What can compare to the emotions generated by possessing a piece of American history? Not many can rightly make that claim, yet this pair of antique earrings marks an event that changed the course of the United States--the discovery of gold in California. Gold-in-quartz was formed while the earth was still in its molten state. During its cooling and solidification process, veins of gold sometimes became trapped with the crystals of quartz. Much of the gold discovered in California was found in gold-bearing quartz. As a result of the Gold Rush skilled jewelers and goldsmiths flocked to San Francisco to take full advantage of the newly uncovered “raw material”. Thus evolved a type of American jewelry made only in San Francisco between 1850 and the early 1900s.

Measuring just less than ¾ of an inch in diameter (1.8 cm) with original ear wires that rise ¾ of an inch from the surround of the body of the earring, this pair of difficult to find American earrings is set with beautiful white quartz with veins of 14 k gold running throughout. Intricate twisted gold rope sets off the border and a natural seed pearl crowns the center of each earring. In excellent condition and dates to the Victorian era. Quite an unusual find and a rare treat. The era of gold quartz came to an end around 1906, undoubtedly precipitated by the great San Francisco earthquake.

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