Black Opal Crotalia Earrings

These types of earrings, named after the Greek word for rattle or castanets ("Crotalia"), were extremely popular with affluent Roman women. They were usually made with clusters of large pearl pendants, which would make a pleasing jingling noise when worn. Pearls were rare and expensive in the ancient world and were used in Roman jewelry up until the end of the Republic. Many beautiful Crotalia earrings were discovered at Pompeii and Herculaneum.

These Crotalia are made with opals and blue sapphires accenting tsavorite garnets, they too jingle when worn.

One-of-a-kind.