order Victorian vulcanite long drop pierced earrings. I believe these earrings to be vulcanite but it is very hard to test with out damaging the material. I am sure that they are Victorian and in all original condition. The black shiny centers and beads could be either jet or glass. Vulcanite also called ebonite, was first invented in 1843 by Thomas Hancock. It was made by combining and heating sap of the Euphorbia or Ficus trees from Malaysia with sulphur. It was most commonly used for jewelry and varies in color from black to brown. I have bought a piece that changed color after I had it. The variance must have something to do with humidity. Many of these pieces are referred to as Gutta Percha, but Gutta percha was never used for jewelry.
These drops are not the same thickness. The overall measurement including the beads is one and five eighths of an inch by seven eighths of an inch wide. These earrings may have been worn as Mourning jewelry. They exhibit age appropriate wear. Look closely at the photos to see the wear at the bottom of one of the earrings.
Product code: Order Victorian Black Dangle Drop Pierced Earrings - Vulcanite Pierced Earrings