Verified in-game today... I hadn't used this earring for months and months but always carried it in my inventory along with my Kunark Expert Adventurer Goggles and Gnomish Collection Goggles. I was adventuring with a friend trying to get them the Piano Keys collection.
I had collected this piano a large number of times for all my alts, guildmates, etc and was familiar with approximately where these red shinies were located. I couldn't find a single one. I equipped the earring and still nothing.
It wasn't until I opened my equipment and right-clicked the earring (selected "Use") that the red shinies became visible. Glitch? I don't know... I just know this worked for me. Paceyourself (talk) 13:36, October 28, 2013 (UTC)