A radiating wheel of polished gold domes divided by rope-twist spokes, all set against a vivid turquoise enamel ground — the combination reads simultaneously ancient and thoroughly 1980s. The sunburst or cartwheel motif has roots in Byzantine and Etruscan jewelry traditions, and this oversized clip-on interpretation carries that archival energy with the bold scale the decade demanded. The color pairing — warm gold against that particular shade of blue-green — is striking without effort. A pair that holds its own against a simple white shirt or a linen dress.

Materials
Gold tone base metal, turquoise enamel

Details

• Era: 1980s
• Style / design notes: Circular domed disc; radiating rope-twist spokes dividing polished gold dome segments; turquoise enamel fill; rope-twist outer border; clip-on backs
• Color: Gold tone / turquoise
• Condition: Good vintage condition, please see photos 

Measurement
Approximately 1 inch diameter

Collected by Mineral and Matter

Each earring takes the shape of a small conch shell, its ridged gold-tone spiral wrapped by a smooth white lucite curve like the whorl of a shoreline find. Signed Avon on the clip backs, they carry the polish of the brand's better costume lines from the era. Lightweight and tactile, with a shape that reads coastal without leaning novelty. A neat, wearable piece of beach-inspired design.

Materials: Gold-tone metal, white lucite

Details:

• Era: 1970s–1980s
• Markings: Avon
• Style / design notes: Conch shell motif, ridged gold-tone spiral with carved lucite overlay
• Stone or material notes: White lucite shell accent
• Function: Clip-on earrings
• Color: Gold-tone, white
• Condition: Great vintage condition with gentle surface wear consistent with age

Collected by Mineral and Matter

A generous cream simulated pearl sits in a simple gold tone cup, suspended from a hinged leverback that opens and closes with a satisfying click. The leverback format sits a touch lower on the earlobe than a standard stud, giving the pearl just enough room to be seen from the front without any drop.. The pearl has good even luster and the warm gold tone of the finding suits it without competing. Classic and versatile in the way only a pearl stud equivalent can be.

Materials
Gold tone base metal, simulated pearl

Details

• Era: 1980s
• Maker: Unsigned
• Style / design notes: Round simulated pearl in gold tone cup setting; hinged leverback closure; pierced
• Stone or material notes: Cream simulated pearl; smooth, even luster
• Color: Cream / warm gold tone
• Condition: Good vintage condition, please see images 

Measurement
1.5 cm long, 1.5 cm wide

Collected by Mineral and Matter

The simplest possible brief, executed cleanly — a round cream simulated pearl set in a small gold tone cup, on a steel post with a gold tone butterfly back. Nothing competes with the pearl. The luster is even and soft, the size just right for daily wear without disappearing. Avon made pearl studs like these throughout the 1980s, understanding that the wardrobe staple case for a classic pearl stud is essentially unassailable. The butterfly backs are stamped Avon, giving these the small provenance detail that separates them from anonymous equivalents. They go with everything, which is the only thing a pearl stud needs to do.

Materials
Gold tone base metal, simulated pearl, steel post, gold tone butterfly back

Details

• Era: 1980s
• Maker: Avon (stamped on butterfly backs)
• Style / design notes: Round simulated pearl in a simple gold tone cup setting; steel post; gold tone butterfly back closure
• Stone or material notes: Cream simulated pearl; even luster, no chips or cracks noted
• Color: Cream / warm gold tone
• Condition: Good vintage condition, please see images

Measurement
Pearl approx. ¼" (6mm) diameter

Collected by Mineral and Matter

A nautilus shell rendered in warm, high-polish gold — the spiral coils inward from a scalloped outer edge to a tight central whorl, with fine radiating ribs fanning across the entire surface. The form is both architectural and organic, the kind of shape that looks equally at home in a natural history museum and on an ear. Stamped 14K G.F. on the interior, these are gold filled rather than plated, meaning a substantially thicker layer of gold bonded to a base metal core — a meaningful step up in quality and longevity from standard costume jewelry. The steel post and butterfly back closures are practical and secure. Coastal and nature-inspired jewelry of this caliber had a strong moment in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and pieces like this have held their appeal without effort.

Materials
14K gold filled, steel post and butterfly back closures

Details

• Era: 1980s
• Maker: Unsigned; stamped 14K G.F. on interior
• Style / design notes: Sculptural nautilus / spiral shell form; fine radiating rib detail across face; scalloped outer edge; tight central spiral
• Closure: Steel post and butterfly back (pierced)
• Color: Warm yellow gold
• Condition: Good vintage condition, please see images

Measurement
Approx. 0.75 in across, 0.5 in wide

Collected by Mineral and Matter

Each arm curls slightly at its tip, giving these starfish a sense of movement — as though caught mid-drift rather than pressed flat into a mold. The surface is covered in raised dot and granule texture that mimics the real thing closely enough to reward a second look. The scale is generous without being oversized, sitting comfortably on the ear with the kind of presence that reads from across a room. Gold tone starfish earrings of this quality were a coastal jewelry staple through the late 1980s and into the 1990s, pairing equally well with a linen shirt in August or a sweater in February. Post and butterfly back closures keep them secure and easy to wear daily.

Materials
Gold tone base metal, post and butterfly back closures

Details

• Era: 1980s
• Maker: Unsigned
• Style / design notes: Sculptural starfish form; five arms with upturned curling tips; raised dot and granule texture across entire face and reverse
• Closure: Post and butterfly back (pierced)
• Color: Warm gold tone
• Condition: Good vintage condition, please see images

Measurement
Approx. 1.25" across

Collected by Mineral and Matter