Butterfly Wing Earrings - faceted Smokey Ethiopian Opal and sterling Silver

Butterfly Wing Earrings - faceted Smokey Ethiopian Opal and sterling Silver. This design is featured in my book ‘Wire Jewelry Masterclass’

This design is inspired by the stunning summertime butterflies I watch floating around my garden. Each earring is designed to symbolise a wing. I have made this pair with sterling silver wire, faceted Smokey Ethiopian Opal and sterling silver beads of graduating sizes.

I start by hand shaping the earrings. I then begin the long process of carefully hammering the sterling silver wire, so that it is evenly shaped, this action also to flattens the wire. The hammering not only adds detail, but it also hardens the piece into shape.

Once the shaping of the earrings is complete, I begin filing and sanding, making it comfortable when against the skin. A beautiful faceted Smokey Ethiopian Opal drop stone is wrapped in sterling silver wire in a, capturing the stones natural beauty.

Once finished, the earrings are tumbled, to clean and polish it and then hand polished, with an anti tarnish agent, to bring them to a high shine.

the earrings have a 2 1/2” drop and 3/4” wide.

This item comes in a jewellery box.