Vintage Laurel Burch Small Tian-Tsui (點翠) Flower Gold-Vermeil Studs

Known as 點翠 or 点翠 to the Chinese, Tian-Tsui translates to "dotting with kingfishers". Its a traditional practice in which tiny kingfisher feathers were cut to size and incorporated into sterling silver and silver gilt jewelry to create a dazzling fluorescent blue finish. The technique was mostly lost with the Chinese cultural revolution in the 1940's.

The revival earrings here are vintage from the 1970's - they were designed by Laurel Burch and crafted by hand by old masters of the technique. These earrings were made using gold plated brass and kingfisher feathers, they measure about 1/2" tall.