"Stuart crystal" is what we call the jewelry made and worn by loyalists to the Stuart monarchy after the execution of King Charles I in 1649. Royalists memorialized the martyred king by wearing jewelry with his likeness, a lock of his hair, or his initials rendered in twisted gold wire. All of these were set under flat-topped faceted rock crystal (ergo "Stuart crystal"). This jewelry, though originally aligned with support of the monarchy, over time became more personal. Later examples featured the "cipher" (monogram in gold) or hair of the owner. These earrings are a beautiful example of that style: the faded hot-pink foiled backing has shattered into dots, and a gold wire cipher is set under rock crystal.
thedetails
- Materials
22k gold (tests), rock crystal, pink foil, gold thread
- Age
c. 1700
- Condition
Very good - surface wear commensurate with age and use
- Size
7, can be slightly resized; 11.5mm head, 2.5mm shank
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Aboutthe
StuartEra
1603 — 1714
A new era dawned when Queen Elizabeth — the last Tudor monarch — died without an heir. The monarchy was temporarily displaced by the Commonwealth of England from 1649 to 1660 by Oliver Cromwell, but was restored — aka "The Restoration" — as Charles II was invited to take the throne. His father, Charles I, had been beheaded in 1649, and most of the jewelry we see from this period was at least stylistically related to this controversial political event. During this time, discoveries and innovations transformed England and Scotland, which were conjoined after a long period of feuding. Coffee became a new trendy beverage, with 600 coffeehouses in London all catering to a different type of clientele. This imported novelty beverage was possible because of the UK's rapidly expanding worldwide trade network. Not yet interested in acquiring territories, the island nation focused instead on making a fortune exporting wool and importing goods like slaves, sugar, and tea. Everyone (except the enslaved people, of course) benefited from the new merchant class that arose, and in the process the Royal Navy became the most powerful in the world. The look of London changed, too — after the Great Fire of 1666, Christopher Wren was hired to rebuild the city's damaged churches, with his greatest accomplishment being St. Paul's Cathedral.
please note:Terms of Sale
Antiques can be returned unworn and in original condition within 10 days of delivery for an exchange or refund minus the cost of shipping. Once a piece has been altered, including ring re-sizing, it is FINAL SALE.



