Kanji Earrings

These lucky earrings showcase two gorgeous, handmade, vintage chrysoprase Czech glass rings. 

Suspended from the rings are two collectible pieces of hand-pressed Japanese glass made to imitate Czech glass flower stones. 

Before WWII, most Japanese glassmakers were rice farmers whose glassmaking was a hobby. However, during the American occupation of Japan after the war, glass cabochon commissions from American jewelry makers created new economic opportunities. So many rice farming glass artists set up lampwork workshops in their homes and started producing glass beads for export.

American agents provided samples of the molded Czechoslovakian flower cabochons, and the Japanese artisans quickly learned to produce similar glass beads like those featured in these earrings. 

In this piece:

• Two chrysoprase glass rings handmade in Czechoslovakia, circa 1930
• Oval green glass stones made to look like carved jade, handmade in Japan circa 1945-1951
• Two brass connectors stamped today in the USA in vintage dies
• Prong brass settings stamped today in the USA in vintage dies
• Nickel-free & lead-free brass euro wire closures
• Hangs 2 1/2”