A pair of late eighteenth century amethyst earrings of Spanish origin, set in high carat yellow gold, each formed of three articulated parts, jewelled with variously sized round and oval cut amethysts to the textured surface mounts, shepherds earhooks have replaced the original back-to-front closure, unmarked, circa 1790, 3.8 in long by 1.0 in wide, 26 grams.

Classically Spanish are the distinctive gold and gem-set Iberian and Catalan earrings, significant for their large size and substantial length. These earrings are often set with emeralds, hessonite garnets, and occasionally amethysts. Both Portugal and Spain had colonies in South America, yielding large quantities of diamond, topaz, emerald, garnet, aquamarine, and chrysoberyl. This resulted in an increase in popularity of gem-set jewelry in these regions.