Lapis Lazuli Clip-on Earrings Value Guide

These mid-century clip-on earrings showcase high-dome lapis lazuli cabochons, a gemstone prized since antiquity for its deep celestial blue. Set in classic four-prong sterling silver, they represent the bold fashion silhouettes popular in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s.

What Is Lapis Lazuli Clip-on Earrings Worth?

The typical price range for Lapis Lazuli Clip-on Earrings is $85 - $95 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The intensity and uniformity of the blue color, with a preference for deep ultramarine hues.
• The presence and distribution of golden pyrite flecks versus less desirable white calcite streaks.
• The structural integrity of the four-prong sterling silver setting and the functionality of the clips.
• The overall polish and lack of surface scratches on the lapis lazuli cabochons.

How to Identify Lapis Lazuli Clip-on Earrings?

• Look for the characteristic 'starry night' effect created by golden pyrite inclusions within the deep blue stone.
• Check the metal for a '925' or 'Sterling' hallmark, typical of American mid-century silver settings.
• Verify the high-dome cabochon cut, which should be smooth and polished without facets.
• Examine the clip-on mechanism for the tension and style consistent with 1950s-1960s manufacturing.

History of Lapis Lazuli Clip-on Earrings

Lapis lazuli has been prized since antiquity for its intense blue color and golden pyrite inclusions, which were often likened to a starry night sky. During the mid-20th century, particularly the 1950s and 1960s, large cabochon-cut stones set in sterling silver became highly popular in costume and fine jewelry, as they complemented the bold fashion silhouettes of the era.