Sphene Earrings with Plum Twigs

I’m not sure if you’ve ever seen the bulbous buds of plum tree twigs, but here they are, all cast in Sterling silver and then augmented with fused gold filings and beaded buds. The close-up of the texture can’t be beat, and it mimics the mottled crystalline edge of these rare, glassy sphene slices.

The dappled, gorgeous edges of the sphene couldn’t be hidden, so I had to get creative with the setting style. I landed on this sandwich of sphene over shimmery mother of pearl cut-to-fit, both over Sterling silver sheet. Reinforced prongs in both 14K yellow gold and Sterling silver hold all the goodies in place. Big, glossy round golden ear wires complete the pieces.

I’m absolutely smitten with how these came together, and I hope you like them too.

Sterling silver cast plum twigs and backsheet, 14K yellow gold ear wires, single bud, filings and prongs, 18K yellow gold single bud and filings.

1 5/8” total length.