Antique sterling silver shell cameo and Bohemian garnet stud earrings, delicate pieces in presentation box

Antique Bohemian garnet and sterling silver stud earrings for pierced ears. Each earrings has a gorgeous, hand-carved shell cameo bordered by delicate Bohemian garnet stones claw set in in the sterling silver.

The cameos are so delicate and beautifully done - there is a lady's head and shoulder with the face in profile and to me it looks as though she is holding out food to a tiny hummingbird. The portraits are hand-carved in natural shell so, as you can see, the natural colour of the shell can vary slightly from piece to piece.

Each earring is nearly 2cm long and about 1.5cm wide. They fasten with the usual ear bar and sterling silver butterfly backs. There is a 925 stamp for sterling silver on the back of each earring.

The earrings are in very good vintage condition and are presented for sale in a pre-owned black hinged presentation box, as pictured.

The famous garnets of Bohemia were found in the hills to the northeast and northwest of Prague. The glistening red jewels were (and still are) cut in Prague and then the town of Turnov, to the northeast of Prague. Turnov is part of the Bohemian Paradise Geopark; a UNESCO listed nature reserve where people can discover unique geological phenomena such as dolomite caves, petrified forests, olivine balls and gem materials, such as chalcedony, opal, amethyst, jasper and garnet. Turnov has been known for stone cutting, engraving and jewellery making for hundreds of years, the most prolific period being the 1700s. A jewellery school was established there in 1884 and two years later, a museum was opened. "The Museum of the Bohemian Paradise" is a very interesting place for visitors eager to learn about gems, jewellery, mineralogy and more, particularly Bohemian garnet. Turnov's highest mountain, Kozákov is the site where deposits of garnet have been found.