The 18th century was awash with flowers, both real and in the decorative arts. Fabrics, wallpapers, architecture and jewelry mirrored the frenzy for all things floral particularly up until around 1790.

If women weren't wearing flowers in their hair or on a gown, their jewelry and dress reflected those motifs. These garnet and silver gilt earrings are the rule, not the exception with their garden and leaf themed design.

Each earring hosts three flowers in the top surmount, a bevy of leaves and even a few buds; the bottom teardrop depicts three dainty flowers in the precious metal work.

Classically 18th century, the metal takes as much if not more precedence than the gemstones. Seven garnets cut in round, oval and a teardrop shapes show faceted on their perimeters and are flat topped. These are set in rub over bezels and each is closed backed and foiled for added sheen and depth.

These Georgian earrings appear weighty and showy, but in reality are light on the ear and with a flat profile. The original back to front ear wires utilize a loop fitting that holds the earrings in place preventing their slipping too far forward.

The fire gilded silver will fool the best of them with its soft, buttery golden patina and should last another 250 years or more.