The inspiration:
Growth springs from where light touches dark. Delicate vines rise from bright seeds of glowing peridot, reaching towards the light while defined by the dark.

The materials:
Bright teardrop shaped peridots dance in a striking, detailed design in these graceful sterling silver earrings.

The history:
Peridot is gem-quality olivine, and is one of the few gemstones that occurs in only one colour; that gorgeous green that ranges from almost gold to deep, dark olive. It is the birthstone for August, and the national gemstone of Egypt; in Hawaiian lore, peridot was thought to be formed from the tears of Pele, goddess of the volcanoes. There is even a "green" beach on the Big Island, where the sand is mixed with grains of glittering olivine! Historically, peridot was believed to strengthen friendships, lessen envy and jealousy and heal the physical heart, and like most green stones, peridot has come to symbolize prosperity, good health and good luck.

The process:
These fresh green, teardrop shaped peridots are set in handmade bezels against a solid backplate that has been polished behind the stones, to bounce light through their depths. From these settings, a delicate vine of sterling silver wire and beads extends upwards to the tiny ring that connects them to their petite, 20g (.8 mm diameter) sterling silver earwires (the standard width wire for western ear-piercings.) A pair of clear silicone stoppers is included to keep them securely on your ears. The silver throughout has been polished to a high shine, while dramatic patina brings out the tiny beaded details and sets off the beautiful green of these perfect peridots.

The details:

• Earring length: 43 mm

• Earring width: 9 mm at its widest point

• Stone cut & size: natural peridot teardrop cabochons, approximately 5mm wide by 5 mm long.

• Stone source: Pierre Rouge, Marieville, Québec

My promise:
All of my jewelry is made by me, by hand, in my little home studio and will be shipped to you as shown, beautifully packaged and ready for gift-giving to someone special (like yourself!) I am a life-long artist and designer, and I take great care and pride in creating one of a kind jewels that evolve from my own design, emotion and inspiration, rather than trend, imitation or artifice. It means the world to me that you've witnessed my work - thank you for being here, and for shopping and supporting handmade!