The Barolo HEART earrings

Description

Defined as "the king of wines and the wine of kings'' because of its regal characteristics, this splendid Piemontese red is one of standard-bearers of Italian enology.
Barolo began acquiring its royal standing as early as the Middle Ages and its reputation steadily grew in succeeding periods. It was customary for sovereigns, as well as many nobles, to enrich their tables with classic Bordelais or Burgundian bottles of the wine. It is reported that Barolo was often found on the table of Louis XIV, while other admirers of the wine included King Charles Albert, the Marquises of Saluzzo and of Monferrato and Maria Cristina of Savoy.
Many other illustrious figures in history also contributed to the growth of the wine's reputation, chief among whom was Count Camillo Benso di Cavour. Cavour used to give dinners at which the wine was featured. He took a personal role in the making of the wine at his estate at Grinzane and the results he obtained were outstanding. In a short time, he became a highly expert grower and the Barolo of his vineyards was fully competitive with the finest French wines.
Pontiffs were also enchanted by the wine. At the beginning of the 19th century, Pius VII exclaimed, after having tasted an excellent Barolo: "Ah, La Morra! A beautiful sky and good wine!'' Afterward, he ensured that the wine was always available at his court and he drank it frequently.
Because of the absolute excellence of the quality of Barolo, there has never been any dearth of poets and writers to render homage to the wine.
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Italian red wine is one of the thing I like most, especially when associated with delicious food!
These earrings have been inspired by the vibrant color of Barolo wine which is a deep and flamboyant red.
At first I shaped and hammered the heart and then coiled it with meters and meters of 925 solid sterling silver wire. I enriched it with many Karen silver faceted beads, an A grade ruby smooth bead and an A grade ruby faceted briolette which is truly magical and gives the whole silhouette a lot of majesty.
I also adorned the heart with a curvaceous “crown” 925 solid sterling silver wire! That’s great!
On both sides dangle dazzling A grade ametrine micro-faceted briolettes with lavender and champagne shades. Just below beautiful Bali silver cones, featuring very fine dots and circle details, top a cluster of some amazing beads: A grade ruby faceted briolettes and smooth beads, A grade citrine faceted rondelles, AA rich golden topaz micro-faceted briolettes, amethyst rondelles, deep pink tourmaline rondelles, garnet smooth beads, white and soft pink freshwater pearls and a big and stunning AA grade smoky quartz micro-faceted briolette with onion cut. Just beautiful!
They are my first Heart earrings and you can expect to see many of these, in various colors and sizes, in my shop in the coming months!
Measurement: 2.36 inches (6 cm) long – 925 sterling silver ear wires excluded.

Added on Nov 23, 2009