Description
Jade stud earrings set with a transparent jadeite in 22k.
The jade cabochons are only 7.5mm tall, but it is this particular size that embodies a controlled beauty, when the stones are set into the right kind of bezel.
The grace of wearing Chinese jade studs is an art itself.
Many jade studs that go above 1cm carry a demanding presence, while those below 1cm appear beady from near, and nothing more a little distance.
The persevering will find a proportion, stone to gold, matching the purity to the jade’s hue, and making the decision if the centre stone should have accompaniment.
The imperial green jadeite is very fine, hence the closed back frame will not close off the light and instead work the buttery gold upwards the green.
An approach like this will work only on transparent jadeite, and of medium green. Such transparent stones will show up any dirt specks, hence design must consider time.
The cabs are bezel set with a tall wall, a somewhat collet setting (common in Georgian jewellery), again unafraid of losing light, since light is blocked off anyway when the studs are worn.
This tall collet bezel gives the cabochons an illusion of depth, and importantly, frames the jade and distances it from the rest of its rather golden body – dappled gold and immaculate braid.
The choice of a tall bezel is reminiscent of Roman and Grecian jewellery, lesser of Chinese. The latter is known for their fine-pronged setting, period jewellery wise.
But good stones will allow you to do anything. Our design, non ornate, uses an ethnic stone in a non ethnic way.
Our requirements are to keep it simple, in a distinct kind of dainty. It always helps when women will wear the hair up, so the back of the earrings can also be designed with use.
The front of the earrings bears an ancient sophistication, the back a musical daintiness.
Look at the spokes. Look at the domed floral backing. The domed spokes float the studs off the earlobes; the backings serve both visual appeal and balance.
(It is possible to extend the use of the backings for similarly weighted ear studs.)
Nothing is flat in this pair of studs. The pair feel like a miniature artefact between your fingers.
This is a pair of all-jade earrings, using little stones of the same, the earring Roman, its backing Chinese.
So perhaps it is ethnic.
