Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Bean Pattern Sterling Silver Vermeil Earrings
Jewelry - Stud Earrings · Tiffany & Co., one of the world's most prestigious luxury houses founded in 1837. This specific design is by Elsa Peretti, a revolutionary designer who joined Tiffany in 1974 and redefined modern jewelry with her organic, sculptural forms.
Pattern: Bean Collection, designed by Elsa Peretti. Introduced in the 1970s, it remains a signature line for Tiffany & Co. representing the origin of all things.
Type
Jewelry - Stud Earrings
Maker
Tiffany & Co., one of the world's most prestigious luxury houses founded in 1837. This specific design is by Elsa Peretti, a revolutionary designer who joined Tiffany in 1974 and redefined modern jewelry with her organic, sculptural forms.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925) with a Gold Vermeil finish. Vermeil denotes a thick layer of gold plated over solid sterling silver, providing a luxury gold appearance at a silver price point.
Dimensions
Standard mini or small size, approximately 7mm to 9mm in width. Weight is approximately 2.5 to 3.5 grams for the pair.
Description
A pair of iconic Elsa Peretti 'Bean' earrings in luscious gold vermeil. These earrings exemplify Peretti's philosophy of 'style is to be simple.' The bean, a seed representing potential and life, is rendered here as a smooth, tactile object that catches the light beautifully. As quintessential Tiffany jewelry, they offer a sophisticated yet understated aesthetic suitable for daily wear.
Key Features
Smooth kidney-bean shape, high-polished gold finish over sterling silver base, signature Peretti script or block hallmarks, and substantial weight relative to size.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925) with a Gold Vermeil finish. Vermeil denotes a thick layer of gold plated over solid sterling silver, providing a luxury gold appearance at a silver price point.
Finish & Decoration
High-polish mirror finish with a smooth, ergonomic 'Bean' form. The style is quintessentially 20th-century Modernist/Minimalist, focusing on curved, organic shapes rather than surface ornamentation.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Expected stamps include 'TIFFANY & CO.', 'PERETTI', and '925'. Small markings are visible on the reverse of the bean forms near the post attachment point. Authenticity is confirmed via the sans-serif block typeface typical of late 20th-century Tiffany production.
Construction Details
Cast solid sterling silver, later hand-polished and gold-plated. The posts are soldered to the center of the concave back of the bean shape.
Functional Features
Post and butterfly friction back design. The bean shape is designed to sit flush against the earlobe following the natural contour of the ear.
Handle & Grip Details
Sterling silver posts with gold plating; friction backs (monarch/butterfly style) would be original to the piece.
Craftsmanship Details
Executed with the high-level finishing typical of Tiffany's designer lines. Transitions between the convex and concave surfaces are seamless, indicating professional hand-polishing after the casting process.
Authentication Indicators
Hallmark placement on the underside of the curve; smooth, consistent casting without pits; appropriate 'buttery' color of Tiffany gold vermeil compared to cheaper flash-plating.
Origin & Manufacturing
USA or Spain (Peretti often manufactured significant portions of her line in Spanish workshops under Tiffany oversight). Known for high-quality casting and refined finishing standards.
Era & Period
Late 20th Century Modernist (c. 1974-present). It fits the aesthetic of the 1970s organic movement which simplified jewelry into wearable sculpture.
Age Estimate
Circa 1990-2010 based on the appearance of the vermeil wear and the style of the stamp placement.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury jewelry in the 1970s, moving away from heavy gemstones to focus on form and silver-based designer pieces.
Condition Notes
Good to Very Good. There is visible tarnish/oxidation on the inner curves and around the post base, common for silver vermeil. The gold plating appears thin in high-friction areas. Structures are intact.
Value Estimate
$150 - $300 USD depending on the integrity of the gold plating and presence of original packaging.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a soft damp cloth. Avoid silver dips as they can strip the gold vermeil. Store in a Pacific silvercloth pouch to prevent the silver base from tarnishing through the gold layer.
Similar Pieces
Tiffany Teardrop earrings (thinner profile), Tiffany Open Heart earrings (voided center), or contemporary imitations (which often lack the correct '925' and 'Peretti' stamps).
Interesting Facts
Elsa Peretti's Bean design was inspired by the idea that a bean is a seed, the start of life. It became one of the most gifted items in Tiffany's history due to its approachable price and timeless design.