Tiffany & Co. Somerset Collection Mesh Hoop Earrings with Rondelles
Jewelry (Earrings / Hoops) · Tiffany & Co., the premier American luxury jewelry house founded in 1837. Known for high-quality craftsmanship, iconic branding, and establishing the US .925 sterling silver standard.
Pattern: Somerset Collection, characterized by a flexible, woven silver mesh design. Introduced in the early 2000s; currently discontinued in most styles.
Type
Jewelry (Earrings / Hoops)
Maker
Tiffany & Co., the premier American luxury jewelry house founded in 1837. Known for high-quality craftsmanship, iconic branding, and establishing the US .925 sterling silver standard.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Features a woven mesh body with solid sterling silver rondelle rings (sliders) and a hinged ear wire.
Dimensions
Standard hoop diameter approximately 25mm to 35mm (Medium size). Estimated weight: 10-14 grams for the pair. Mesh thickness is approximately 3-4mm.
Description
These elegant earrings represent the iconic Somerset collection from Tiffany & Co. Utilizing a sophisticated silver mesh weaving technique, they offer a textural complexity that plays with light differently than solid metal. The addition of sliding rondelle rings at the bottom adds a playful, dynamic element to the classic hoop silhouette, embodying the understated luxury and wearable art philosophy of the brand.
Key Features
Woven silver mesh texture, sliding rondelle accents, secure hinged snap-post closure, and 'T & CO' branding.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). Features a woven mesh body with solid sterling silver rondelle rings (sliders) and a hinged ear wire.
Finish & Decoration
Bright-polish mesh with an oxidized shadow within the weave to create depth. Features stacked, movable polished rondelle rings at the base. Modernist/Contemporary style.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Usually found on the interior of the ear wire or the solid end-caps: 'T & CO.' or 'TIFFANY & CO.' and '925'. Marks on this specific design are often laser-engraved or stamped in very fine script.
Construction Details
Machine-woven silver wire mesh formed into a tubular shape and soldered to solid end-caps. Includes a hinged 'saddle' or 'snap' closure mechanism for the ear wire.
Functional Features
Hinged 'click' closure for security. Moveable rondelle charms that provide tactile movement and visual interest. Lightweight hollow mesh design for comfort.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A (Earring wire hinge). Hinge should be tight and snap into place firmly without excessive play in the joint.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial weaving; end-caps are seamlessly joined to the mesh. Precision hinge work indicates genuine Tiffany production rather than a knock-off.
Authentication Indicators
Symmetry of the weave, precision of the 'click' closure, and specific font of the '925' and brand stamps. The mesh should be flexible but hold its circular shape without collapsing.
Origin & Manufacturing
USA or Italy. Tiffany & Co. historically manufactures mesh items in specialized workshops known for metallurgical weaving tech in both countries.
Era & Period
Contemporary / Post-Modern (Late 20th - Early 21st Century). The Somerset line was a staple of the 2000-2010 Tiffany aesthetic.
Age Estimate
Circa 2000-2010. Discontinuation of this specific rondelle hoop variant occurred in the mid-2010s.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Y2K' luxury jewelry boom where silver became a primary fashion statement for younger demographics through Tiffany's accessible yet high-status collections.
Condition Notes
Good condition overall. Note slight stretching of the mesh weave which is common. Tarnish is visible in the recessed areas of the mesh and rondelles; would benefit from a professional cleaning. No visible kinks in the mesh.
Value Estimate
$250 - $450 USD. Value is driven by brand name and demand for discontinued mesh pieces rather than silver weight alone.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a sonic cleaner to reach inside the mesh. Use a silver polishing cloth only on the solid rondelles. Avoid liquid dips which can get trapped inside the mesh tube and cause internal corrosion over time.
Similar Pieces
Tiffany & Co. Somerset Ring (Woven Mesh), Tiffany & Co. Mesh Scarf Necklace (Elsa Peretti), or Pandora Mesh Bracelets (lesser silver quality/mass market).
Interesting Facts
The Somerset collection was inspired by industrial mesh patterns but refined for luxury wear. Many mesh pieces by Tiffany were pioneered in collaboration with Elsa Peretti, though this specific line is an in-house Tiffany design.