Gold-vermeil Roman Glass Earrings
Wear a piece of history with this conversation-starting jewelry made with ancient pieces of Roman glass. Excavated in Israel, the glass has picked up an iridescent patina from the earth in which it rested for about 2,000 years. 22-karat gold-vermeil wires encircle each glass disk, which may have once been a wineglass, jug, or other vessel. Gold-vermeil is a technique originally developed in mid 18th-century France as a way of gold-plating sterling silver.
Handcrafted in Israel. 1 1/2"L.
Vermeil (ver-MAY) is a metal frequently used in jewlery where sterling silver is coated with gold. It was originally produced in France in the mid 18th century.
The material also gave the Vermeil Room in the White House its name. In 1958, First Lady Mamie Eisenhower had an elaborate gold vermeil (also called gilt silver) tableset, a gift from mining heiress Margaret Thompson Biddle, displayed in glass vitrines there.
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by PowerReviews(based on 2 reviews)
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Pros
- Unique
Cons
- Poor Workmanship
Best Uses
- Night Out
Comments about Gold-vermeil Roman Glass Earrings:
I bought both the earrings and the necklace and returned them both for credit. The irridesent "dust" that the pieces were made of were beautiful shades of blues, greens and pinks but the "stones" flaked off when you touched them...i was expecting a more solid piece of glass not very minute fragments melded together. There was a warning not to get them wet so I could understand the reason once I saw how they were crafted. I took them to a friend who is a fine jeweler designer and craftman...she, too, thought they were a disappointment, especially from NG.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Beautiful
- Good Length
- Good Quality
- Stylish
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday
- Night Out
Comments about Gold-vermeil Roman Glass Earrings:
This collection is absolutely stunning and well-crafted. I cannot wait to wear the set. I plan to wear at the office and for night outs, which is what I love about the versatility of being able to wear this distinctive jewelry for different occasions.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-2
From National Geographic:Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We regret that these items did not live up to your expectations. The glass is a solid piece of glass. Only the multicolored layer – the patina – is indeed a flaky material. The vendor does not manufacture this flaky material; it is part of a natural interaction of the glass with minerals in the ground over very many years. This is part of the Roman glass charm and uniqueness. The patina is sealed with lacquer to protect it and make it more stable. It is nevertheless sensitive to excess wetness, like any antique Roman glass. It is not a problem or flaw, and people have been wearing this kind of jewelry for many years. Even though the vendor has strict quality control, it could be that the lacquer on these particular pieces did not work as expected.