We pause here to commemorate one of my favorite earrings, which died a premature death when its top little hook-thing bent unexpectedly and came off. The fellow at the jeweler told me that because we don't know what kind of metal it's made of, it's tricky to solder pieces on, although a specialist in sterling silver might be able to do so.

So it looks like it's curtains for this lovely piece. Send suggestions on what I should do with its mate, an unbroken but otherwise similar-looking, although bereft, bauble.