Turquoise Sterling Earrings
2010s American Modern Drop Earrings
Cultured Pearl, Zircon, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Modern Dangle Earrings
Turquoise, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Bohemian Collectible Jewelry
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Native American More Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Zircon, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s American Native American Dangle Earrings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s American Native American Drop Earrings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
20th Century Stud Earrings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
20th Century Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Turquoise, 24k Gold, Sterling Silver
20th Century Drop Earrings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s American Clip-on Earrings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s Hoop Earrings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Hoop Earrings
Diamond, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
2010s Dangle Earrings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
2010s Dangle Earrings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
20th Century Contemporary Stud Earrings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
20th Century More Earrings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
20th Century Dangle Earrings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
20th Century Drop Earrings
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Vermeil
20th Century Unknown Native American Stud Earrings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Citrine, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Quartz, Turquoise, Turquoise Matrix, Silv...
Early 2000s Stud Earrings
Quartz, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Native American Dangle Earrings
Coral, Pearl, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
20th Century Stud Earrings
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Drop Earrings
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
1990s Drop Earrings
Pearl, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Onyx, Turquoise
21st Century and Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
20th Century Mexican Chandelier Earrings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Drop Earrings
Peridot, Turquoise, 15k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Stud Earrings
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Dangle Earrings
Chalcedony, Opal, Turquoise, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
20th Century Unknown Clip-on Earrings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Dangle Earrings
Chrysophrase, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s Contemporary Chandelier Earrings
Topaz, Peridot, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s Indian Artisan Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Turquoise, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Turquoise, Turquoise Matrix, Silver, Sterling S...
2010s More Earrings
Amethyst, White Diamond, Quartz, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s American Native American Dangle Earrings
Coral, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary North American Artisan Stud Earrings
Coral, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
20th Century Dangle Earrings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary North American Artisan Stud Earrings
Coral, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Hoop Earrings
Garnet, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Dangle Earrings
Citrine, Quartz, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Stud Earrings
Amethyst, Ruby, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Stud Earrings
Ruby, Turquoise, Amethyst, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Stud Earrings
Turquoise, Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, S...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Emerald...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Drop Earrings
Peridot, Turquoise, Freshwater Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Emerald, Wh...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Lever-Back Earrings
Turquoise, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Lever-Back Earrings
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Turquoise, 9k G...
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Lever-Back Earrings
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Turquoise, 9k G...
- 1
Turquoise Sterling Earrings For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Turquoise Sterling Earrings?
The Legacy of Turquoise in Jewelry Design
The thought of vintage and antique turquoise jewelry often conjures up images of striking Navajo bracelets and necklaces worn with a denim shirt and cowboy boots. This all-American look has been celebrated by fashion designers like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger on their runways and in ad campaigns. In the October 2016 issue of Vogue magazine, Tom Ford said he only wears turquoise jewelry at his Santa Fe ranch. So what is it about this gorgeous blue-green stone that makes us wish that we were born in December?
It’s not surprising that turquoise is abundant in New Mexico and Arizona because, according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), it needs to be in “dry and barren regions where acidic, copper-rich groundwater seeps downward and reacts with minerals that contain phosphorus and aluminum.
Turquoise is not found in a single crystal but is a combination of microcrystals. Its appearance, waxy and opaque, is attributed to its structure and composition. “It’s an aggregate of microscopic crystals that form a solid mass. If the crystals are packed closely together, the material is less porous, so it has a finer texture. Fine-textured turquoise has an attractive, waxy luster when it’s polished. Turquoise with a less-dense crystal structure has higher porosity and coarser texture, resulting in a dull luster when it’s polished,” notes the GIA. Since no one wants to set a dull piece of turquoise, porous turquoise is often treated to make the stone more attractive.
In the United States, there have been discoveries of turquoise from 200 B.C. It is not just loose turquoise stones that have been found, but entire suites of jewelry from prehistoric times. In the late 19th-century, the Navajo Indians, who learned silversmithing from the Spanish, started to make beads out of turquoise and eventually combined it with silver around the 1880s. Initially this jewelry was for ceremonial purposes, but it became fashionable once the tourism in the Southwest picked up in the beginning of the 20th century.
Find antique and vintage turquoise rings, necklaces, bracelets and other accessories on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right Earrings for You
In the United States, ear piercing didn’t really become popular until the 1950s and ‘60s, but our desire for a dazzling pair of vintage earrings has deeper roots than that. In fact, wearing earrings actually goes back thousands of years, and you can find many tangible connections between now and then in how we continue to talk about these treasured accessories.
Women wore ornamental earrings — studs and hoops at the very least — in Ancient Egypt, which is home to mines that are among the earliest sources of emeralds in the world. Emerald earrings are highly prized today, and their quality lies in their rich, saturated color. The highest-quality emeralds are green or bluish-green. Earrings worn by the affluent in early Roman civilizations were set with precious stones such as diamonds and pearls, and a clean-looking pop of pearl on the front of the lobe is as timeless as ever. Hoop earrings are imbued with symbolism and cultural significance for many, and on view in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Ancient Near Eastern Art Gallery is a pair of simple gold hoops from Mesopotamia dating to between 2600 and 2500 B.C.
Today, ear piercing is very popular all over the world, and, as a result, it is difficult to overstate how much everyone pines for a good pair of earrings — modernist drop earrings, glamorous Victorian hoops, geometrically complex chandelier earrings, you name it. Sure, jewelry trends and the fashion darlings of social media come and go, but earrings have a staying power that seems impenetrable: The still-strong love affair between British royals and Cartier earrings is more than a century old, glossy 1970s hoops from legacy houses such as Bulgari and Van Cleef Arpels remain the statement makers they’ve always been and although people have been stacking earrings for many moons, the allure of an expertly mismatched stack of charms and studs still feels fresh and new.
While there is no shortage of modern earring designs to choose from, the classics, like coral earrings, Art Deco–style earrings and diamond drop earrings are still heavy hitters. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of antique, new and vintage earrings today.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 14, 2023Generally, most experts agree that .925 or 925 sterling silver is the best sterling silver for earrings. This variety of sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloy. As a result, it has the cool color and sleek appearance of silver, with another base metal to strengthen it. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of sterling silver earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Yes, sterling silver is okay for earrings. In fact, many people love earrings crafted out of the precious metal. Sterling silver has an appealing cool color and noticeable shine. Plus, the metal is durable, so it can resist scratching when worn frequently. Keep in mind that sterling silver earrings will need regular cleaning and polishing to fight tarnishing. Explore a diverse assortment of sterling silver earrings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 14, 2023Yes, sterling silver can be good for earrings. Many people appreciate the appearance of sterling silver due to its cool color. In addition, sterling silver resists wear and tear to help earrings stand the test of time. One thing to keep in mind is that silver can tarnish, so you'll likely need to regularly clean and polish your earrings to keep them looking like new. Shop a variety of sterling silver earrings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 23, 2024Yes, it is okay to wear sterling silver earrings. Sterling silver has a cool color that many people find appealing, and the metal is durable enough to resist bending and scratching. One thing to keep in mind is that sterling silver can tarnish over time. You can help keep your earrings looking like new by protecting them from water, chlorine and chemicals found in hair care and beauty products. Cleaning your earrings in accordance with the maker's instructions can also reduce the risk of tarnishing. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of sterling silver earrings.
Read More
These Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. Earrings Are Just the Right Amount of Bold
Someone wanted to “modernize” the Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. masterworks, but Mahnaz Collection came to their rescue. Here, the dealer explains precisely why they’re such an extraordinary find.
5 Fresh Jewelry Trends That Will Bring You Joy This Spring
From cameos to cigar bands, here are the looks on our radar this season.
The ‘Curated Ear’ Trend Turns High End
The mismatched, multiple-earring look may have started with fashion jewelry, but A-list fans have taken it to the next level.
5 Types of Earrings to Wear Right Now
From buttons to chandeliers, here are the top styles to get or give in 2020.
Next-Level Pearls That Go Well Beyond the Expected
Organic shapes, surprising textures, shimmering colors and inventive embellishments take the new generation of pearl jewelry from classic to cutting-edge.
7 Vibrant Jewels for a Breezy Late-Summer Wardrobe
Soak up the pleasures of the season with a these bold gems.
Jewelry Designers Are Giving Hoop Earrings an Edgy Update
The classic circle has appeared in countless variations over the centuries.