Some earrings just sit there. These do something more interesting: they let the light through.
The Shoji Stud Drop Earrings take their name from the paper-and-lattice screens of traditional Japanese architecture, and once you see the sterling silver frame featuring the carnelian in its open grid, you'll understand why. Bezel-set carnelian rose-cuts anchor each stud, while briolette drops swing below in that same rich orange-red. The briolettes are smooth and dignified, while the rose cuts are faceted and architectural. The contrast is the whole point: structure meets glow, geometry meets gemstone.
Carnelian has a history that goes well beyond "pretty orange stone." Chief architects once wore it as a mark of elite professional rank, which feels fitting here, given that this design is essentially wearable architecture. The color itself does the rest of the talking: warm, sunset-toned, the kind of hue that shifts a little depending on the light in the room and the mood you're in when you catch it.
Michael and Catherine Jensen, the husband-and-wife design team behind these earrings, work out of New Mexico and create their pieces using recycled metals.
Cold Hard Facts:
- metal: oxidized sterling silver + 22K yellow gold
- gems: (2) carnelian rose-cuts, 3.62ctw + (2) carnelian briolettes, 9.81ctw
- earring dimensions: approx. 1.25" x 0.25"
- type: 18K yellow gold friction post + oversize sterling silver friction backs
FAQ
Why might the carnelian look a different shade on my screen than it does in person?
Carnelian is a naturally occurring gemstone, and its color has real depth and variation, the kind that a photo or a screen can only approximate. Depending on your monitor's calibration, lighting, and the angle of the photo, the orange-red tone you see here may read slightly warmer or cooler than the stone does in hand. If you want the full, true-to-life effect (including how the light actually moves through that open lattice), we're always happy to walk you through it over video chat or in person at our Bozeman, Montana gallery.
What's the difference between the rose cuts and the briolettes?
The rose-cut carnelian at the stud is faceted and bezel-set, giving it a more structured, architectural presence. The briolette drops are smooth and rounded, which lets them catch and diffuse light differently as they move. Together they create the contrast that makes this design feel less like a matched set and more like a conversation between two cuts of the same stone.
Why does Alara carry designers who use recycled metals?
Because it matters, and because Michael and Catherine Jensen do genuinely beautiful work with it. Reprocessed and recycled metals mean less new mining, less environmental impact, and a piece that carries a little less weight on the planet, without carrying any less weight in the design department.