Ancient Peruvian Shell Clip-on Drop Earrings

Long before the arrival of Europeans, Latin American natives had mastered many metallurgical techniques. In ancient Latin American society gold symbolized power and spiritual wealth but was never used for money. In ancient Andean society shells represented wealth and were used as offerings. From MuseuM ReproductionS these 1 and 7/16 inches long (37mm) non-pierced earrings are adapted from a cast gold original, found in Peru, that dates back to AD 200-800. A genuine pearl is nestled in the nearly 5/8 inch (15mm) high and wide shell which is plated in a bright gold known as museum gold and hangs from a pierced look-a-like simple clip. The alternate image shows the drop's back.