Antique Aluminum Earrings

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Aluminum and gold drop earrings set with rubies.

French, ca. 1860. (later post fittings).
Length: 3 in.

$35,000

For a brief period, aluminum was the “it” metal of the nineteenth century. Although it was discovered in the early 1800s, the general public first encountered this novel metal at the 1855 Paris World Exposition, where it sparked widespread curiosity. That same year, Napoleon III showcased aluminum’s prestige by using it for state dinner tableware reserved for his most honored guests, while others dined with silver. Due to a challenging extraction process, aluminum was initially rarer and more expensive than gold. However, a patented extraction method in 1858 made aluminum more affordable and accessible. At the 1867 Paris Exposition, aluminum sheets, foil, wire, and jewelry were prominently displayed, further cementing its popularity and appeal.