C. 1990 Vintage 6.65 ct. t.w. Emerald and 4.30 ct. t.w. Diamond Drop Earrings in Sterling Silver and Palladium

STERLING SILVER: Also known as "Standard Silver," sterling silver is silver alloyed with other metals to increase the hardness and durability. Generally, sterling is 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. Some sterling silver jewelry is plated with 14kt-18kt gold and referred to as "vermeil," or "gold over sterling."

PALLADIUM: A member of the platinum metal group, palladium is one of the rarest kinds of precious metals. It is naturally white, durable, lightweight, and resilient to discoloration. Most palladium in jewelry is at least 95% pure since it does not require alloys or plating.

CLIP/POST: An earring with a post insert and a clip mechanism to hold it in place. The post can be removed by a jeweler to convert the earrings to clip-on.

Diamond: The hardest and most brilliant of all gemstones, a diamond can make the heart race with its pure and fiery spark. An ancient symbol of love, a diamond is the preferred gemstone for tokens of affection, such as rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Diamond is the birthstone for April.

BRILLIANT & SINGLE: A mix of both brilliant-cut and single-cut gemstones. Brilliant-cut gemstones usually have 58 facets, while single-cut typically have 18 facets.

Color Grade H-I: Near-colorless

CLARITY SI1-SI2: Slightly Included. Inclusions are noticeable under 10x magnification.

MARQUISE: An elliptical shape that comes to a point at the top and bottom. Sometimes referred to as a "navette."

BAGUETTE: An elongated rectangle step-cut. Typically used for smaller diamonds, but can be found in other gemstone as well.

EMERALD: the birthstone of May, and from the beryl mineral family, the emerald has been a prized possession of royalty since ancient times and a good quality emerald can be as or even more expensive than a fine diamond of the same carat. Emeralds are considered the traditional gift for the 55th wedding anniversary.