1950s–1960s Japan Blue Faux Pearl Cluster Clip-On Earrings, Silver-Tone, Stamped JAPAN, 1 Inch

DESCRIPTION

A pair of mid-century clip-on cluster earrings made in Japan, each a dome of faux pearls in three shades of blue — pale aqua, steel blue and deep navy — hand-wired to a round silver-tone base. The clip mechanism is stamped JAPAN, the mark found on the enormous volume of costume jewelry exported from Japan through the 1950s and 1960s.

WORTH NOTING

• Stamped JAPAN on the clip finding, consistent with export costume jewelry of the 1950s–1960s.
• Multi-tonal blue faux pearls — icy aqua, pewter-blue and navy — in graduated sizes for a rounded, dimensional cluster.
• Hand-assembled beads wired onto a circular silver-tone metal disc; mechanical clip backs for unpierced ears.
• Era: mid-century, circa 1950s–1960s, dated by the JAPAN stamp, the wired-cluster construction and the pearl finish typical of the period.
• Each cluster measures approximately 1" across (seller-supplied and confirmed against the ruler photograph).
• Finish loss on one pearl and light surface wear to the pearl coating, as noted by the seller.
• Unsigned beyond the country stamp; no maker attribution is claimed.

MEASUREMENTS

Approximately 1" in diameter per earring (seller-supplied; ruler shown in photographs). Clip-back depth approx. 0.5", estimated from photographs.

CONDITION

Good vintage condition. The faux pearl coating shows light surface wear and scuffing, with finish loss on a single bead; the silver-tone findings carry oxidation and patina consistent with age. Both clips are functional and hold securely per the seller. No missing beads are visible in the photographs.

FROM THE HOUSE

Blue pearls are the ones I look for. White clusters from Japan turn up by the dozen, but a three-tone blue mix — this pale aqua sitting next to navy — was a deliberate colour story, and it still looks chic against grey or a navy knit. The clusters have real volume without being heavy on the ear.

These are honest sixty-year-old earrings with the patina to prove it, and I have left the wear in the photographs for you to see. Our storefront carries a growing case of mid-century clip-ons; ask if you would like to see how these pair with a blue brooch. ~ Genevieve