These chandelier drop earrings are set with exquisite natural Persian turquoise. The post is set with one stone, while three tiers of stones form the drops. These are wonderfully conceived and executed so that each portion of the earring relies on a free-swinging articulation provided by jump rings which allow perfect movement of the drops in relation to body movement. The second photograph illustrates Ida's design technique which can be clearly seen when viewing the back of one of these earrings.

This is classic Persian turquoise; archetypal in coloration and in its cut. This is older stone which was imported prior to the U.S.-Iranian trade embargo which dates to 1979 and the hostage-taking at the U.S. embassy in Teheran. This stone was imported to the U.S. from the mid-60's to the mid-70's (the trove of Persian turquoise to which we have access was accumulated over the course of a decade). Ida Peyton set these stones in wonderful symmetry; each held in place by a straight-edged bezel and further decorated by tiny raindrops interspersed among the stone sets.

This is a rare item because of the pre-embargo turquoise. And judging from the present tenor of American-Iranian relations, we won't see any additional Persian turquoise imported to the United States for some time to come.

Ida did not hallmark these, but she stamped "Sterling" on back on the back of each drop.

Stones: (2) on posts 3/8" x 1/4"; (24) ovals 1/4" x 7/32"

Width at bottom of drop: 1 1/4"

Total hang: 2 1/8"