Vintage FRED Sapphire, Diamond and Gold Earrings, Circa 1960

A pair of vintage FRED sapphire and diamond earrings, each with a pear shaped sapphire and round brilliant-cut diamonds, swirling around the sapphire, in claw settings, with a pear shaped diamond at the terminal, mounted in 18 carat yellow gold, with two shepherd hook fittings to allow for pendant drops, in two different positions, for night and day wear and clip fittings, signed FRED Paris, engraved OR 750, with French eagle head marks, with GS maker's mark, for Guillemin Soudaine, circa 1960. Estimated total diamond weight 7.30 carats. In our opinion the colour is G and our opinion of the clarity is VS. Estimated total sapphire weight 1.30 carats.

FRED, was established in 1936, by Fred Samuel, at the age of 28, at 6 Rue Royale, in Paris. He was born in Buenos Aires, in 1908. He was the son of a French jeweller, who had immigrated to Argentina. His aim, with his jewellery design, was to capture the interaction of light, to become "The Sunshine Jeweller". He specialised in coloured gemstones and concentrated on craftsmanship and high quality finishes. His creations were distinctly modernist. He collaborated with Jean Cocteau, between 1962 and 1971 and other leading artists, including Bernard Buffet, in 1971, Georges Braque, in 1972 and Miroslav Brozek, in 1979. He had a love of sailing, which his sons followed. In 1966, his son, Henri Samuel designed a bracelet, inspired by sailing, made from a combination of steel marine cables and yellow gold rivets. He named it "The Force 10 bracelet", named after the storm level on the Beaufort scale, which measures wind force. FRED's designs have influenced many jewellers mid 20th century and modern jewellers. Fred Samuel died on 3rd October, 2006, in Boulogne-Billancourt, at the age of 98. Maison FRED continues his legacy.

With thanks to the FRED website

Guillemin Soudaine's maker's was mark G S, separated by a tortoise. His mark was registered in 1955. His workshop was at 346 rue St-Honoré, Paris, France.

With thanks to Petitcoeurjewellerybox