The shape of the Coral Branch Vermeil Earrings is inspired by a genuine piece of Adriatic coral. To make them stand out, Farac handcrafted them from recycled sterling silver and polished them to a high mirror finish. He then applied a high-quality 24K gold plating on them.
The long hook is not only a design element, but it also keeps the earrings firmly secured on the ear lobes. These earrings are from Farac’s ‘Coral Collection’ which also includes a necklace and a bangle.
Handmade in Dubrovnik, Crotia.
Coral Collection
Back in the 15th and 16th centuries, coral harvesting was an integral part of Dubrovnik’s local commercial industry. The majority of the fishermen came from Kolocep, Mljet, and Lastovo, and the most extensive coral colonies were found around the tiny island of Saint Andrew (Sv. Andrija).
During the Renaissance, women from Dubrovnik wore coral strands around their necks, leading many of Dubrovnik’s goldsmiths to incorporate coral motifs into various designs of earrings, bracelets, and brooches, as well as buttons used on traditional clothing.
In 1664, the local government prohibited most women from wearing coral necklaces due to the Republic’s financial difficulties. However, noblewomen were exempted from the prohibition. Over time, this law was eventually forgotten, and women from the villages surrounding Dubrovnik began to wear gold necklaces (kolarin) again, making coral-inspired jewelry a cherished local custom.
