Floating Orb Earrings
Golden pearls and fancy intense diamonds glow like the sun
The Design
The golden glow of the sun shines in these classic earrings updated with a floating pearl suspended behind the ear. Fancy intense yellow diamonds meet their match in exceptionally fine 14mm golden South Sea cultured pearls from Southeast Asia. But what makes these earrings special is the movement: the pearls swing freely, dancing in the light thanks to a clever attachment created by a watchmaker. You’ll reach for these earrings every day because they can be worn three ways: the diamond studs alone, the studs with the pearl drops or the pearl drops with any other studs you own.
The Inspiration
“The Victoria & Albert Museum in London has some jewelry from the Russian royal family with en tremblant settings that almost flirt with you because of the way the gems dance and vibrate. I wanted to find a way to incorporate that sense of movement into a simple but glamorous everyday pair of earrings. Intense yellow diamonds and deep golden pearls seemed the perfect materials to do just that! They are understated and beautiful. The pearls float and move under the ear like a little dancing gold fairy, and the diamonds sparkle like her magic wand.” – Alexia Connellan
The Gems
Alexia discovered the exquisite pair of matched South Sea pearls in the fifty-year old collection of a famous retired New York City pearl dealer. The deep glowing 24k gold color, large size, and smooth thick nacre of the pearls will remind you of glowing gold mirrors. The only gems that can match the color are fine fancy intense yellow diamonds. More yellow diamond melee adds sparkle to the sides of the setting.
The Craftsmanship
These earrings are completely hand-crafted, the creation of a skilled watchmaker who created the hidden mechanism that allows the pearls to float under the earlobe and swing freely from side to side like the pendulum of a grandfather clock. The unique construction of these earrings combined with the exceptional quality of the gems makes them a modern heirloom.
Arrange Your Private Consultation
To appreciate the beauty and quality of couture jewelry, you need to see it, touch it, try it on, and watch the gems dance in the light. Make an appointment for a private consultation to experience Alexia’s collection in person. You can find a jewel that speaks to you or commission a custom creation.
How to Commission
a Bespoke Jewel
Would you enjoy a one of a kind jewel inspired by your favorite work of art, natural wonder, or personal journey? Here’s how Alexia will make your jewelry dream a reality.
The Inspiration Alexia interviews you to uncover what inspires you and makes you happy. You discuss gems, colors, shapes, and the feeling you want to have when you wear your jewel.
The Gem If you don’t already have a personal gem that you’d like to feature in your jewel, Alexia will search the world to find the perfect gem to realize your vision.
The Design Alexia sketches original designs for your jewel, refining the concept and execution until it suits you perfectly.
The Model The sketch then takes shape in three dimensions, either through computer modeling, traditional wax carving, or directly fabricated by hand into metal.
The Setting The final model is then precisely created in precious metal and the gems will be set into the metal by hand, one at a time. The metal is polished to perfection and your jewel is ready for you to wear.