Vintage Nina Ricci Clip-On Earrings

Features

Why we love it

Description & history

A pair of Nina Ricci clip-on earrings · gold-tone metal · floral motif set with three red glass cabochons · dangling gold bead · 3 cm · 1980s–1990s · grade B+.

Nina Ricci holds a special place in Parisian fashion: that of a house that has never sought ostentation. Founded in 1932, it built its reputation on a classic femininity defined by precision rather than effect. Its accompanying jewellery follows the same line — it complements, precisely, without ever seeking to take centre stage.

These earrings are a fine illustration of this. The motif is floral, yet stylised: three red glass cabochons, cut into smooth domes rather than facets, arranged like petals in a gold-tone setting. This old cut changes everything about the effect — light does not bounce off the stone; it travels through it, giving the red a depth that a faceted stone would not have. The contrast with the gold does the rest.

Beneath the flower, a polished gold bead is suspended. It is the detail that makes all the difference: it moves with the slightest movement of the head and catches the light with every step, preventing the jewel from being a simple appliqué resting on the ear. At 3 cm, the pair has real presence, yet the earrings remain lightweight — which truly matters in a dangling style, where weight becomes noticeable after a few hours. The setting is clip-on, with a secure fastening, requiring no piercing.

Good vintage condition, grade B+ — minimal signs of wear, all cabochons in place, clips fully functional and no visible signs of oxidation. No major flaws to report; the item is documented in the photos. Sold with its box and RARR Vintage certificate of authenticity.