Filigree Silver Hoop Earring
A true filigree silver hoop earring set may be hard to find given the fact that this type of work is not as common as you may think. To begin, let’s talk about the word itself...
While many modern jewelers often label their work as “filigree” this type of artistry is actually quite rare. Today, many machine made pieces are constructed from metal that has been cut out or punched out to form an intricate pattern. However, you should know that this type of jewelry cannot be considered true filigree. The term in its original form, “telkari,” refers to a type of work that is made by twisting metals of gold and silver together in order to resemble fine lace. Work that has been created by a machine that punches out the metal is actually called “ajoure.” When you look for filigree silver hoop earrings, be sure to ask how these pieces were crafted.
This type of artistry originated in Anatolia, and it was a popular form of artwork during the early 1600s. Today, telkari is relatively rare, though some jewelers still stick to the traditional ways of creating these pieces. While it may seem as though this sort of work is a rather modern invention, it has actually been in existence since the time of the Egyptians. Many Egyptian citizens often wore necklaces that were made using this process, though it was not reserved for royalty due to the fact that the actual technique was quite common.
If you do happen to come across some authentic filigree silver hoop earrings, you can expect to pay quite a bit for them. Since a jeweler must take many hours to complete a pair of these hoops, the price that you will pay should reflect the work that went into them. Now that you know what the word actually means, and what it refers to, you can easily tell those false ones from authentic ones. In any case, when you order jewelry from the internet be sure that you know what you are buying.
Check to see whether or not those earrings are hypo-allergenic, nickel free, and that they come from the hands of a true craftsman. While machine made pieces will be cheaper than those that have been crafted by hand, they will not be quite as rewarding.
Should you find a jeweler that twists this type of metal by hand, be sure to keep their phone number on file. In a world filled with machine made products, this type of piece is certain to become something of a rarity very soon.
