18ct White & Yellow Gold & Diamond Earrings Designed By Gilian Packard

A pretty pair of 18ct75% pure gold (or 750 parts pure gold and 250 parts other metals) gold earrings that were designed and made by Gilian E Packard. They are composed of rods of 18ct yellow and white goldWhite gold is an alloy of gold and at least one other white metal – most often nickel or palladium (both of which act as a bleaching agent to reduce the natural yellow colour of the gold). and have been set with diamonds.

Gilian Packard was one of the jeweller designers at the vanguard of redefining jewellery design during the 1960s following the post-war austerity years of the mid-20th century.  Packard contributed to the exhibitions at the now famous 1961 International Exhibition of Modern Jewellery 1980-1961, curated by Graham Hughes and the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, in Goldsmiths Hall London, while still a student. The exhibition set out to promote new design in what had become a rather stagnant industry, creating pieces of modern design for the modern world.

Born in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in 1938 she studied at Kingston School of Art, Central School of Arts and Crafts and the Royal College of Art. Rather than setting up her own shop in London she chose to disseminate her pieces to jewellers throughout the UK, preferring the broader reach this gave her jewellery; and working to specific commissions for loyal clients. Though she had a workshop of craftspeople, she kept a keen eye on everything and had a hand in the process throughout.

This pair of earrings. exemplifies her talent and they come in the original case.