Peridot and Herkimer Dangle Earrings

Inside each of these earrings, two stones are waiting to be discovered. One born of fire deep in the earth's mantle. One born of an ancient sea that disappeared half a billion years ago. Both found exactly as nature made them, uncut, unpolished, and extraordinary.

Two Extraordinary Stones

The vivid green stones cradled at the bottom of each earring are peridot, and they have one of the most remarkable origin stories of any gemstone on earth. Unlike most gems which form in the earth's crust, peridot forms deep in the earth's mantle, the layer of hot rock beneath the crust, under immense pressure and heat. It is brought to the surface only by volcanic eruptions, carried upward in magma from depths that most other gemstones never reach. Peridot is also one of only two gemstones known to be found in meteorites. It is, quite literally, a gem born of fire and cosmic forces. And it comes in only one color. Always green. That vivid, happy, unmistakable green is not a choice or a variation. It is simply what peridot is.

The sparkling clear crystal nestled at the top of each cage is a Herkimer diamond, and despite the name it is not a diamond at all. Herkimer diamonds are a rare form of double terminated quartz crystal, meaning they naturally form with a perfect point at both ends and an average of 18 natural facets, with no cutting or polishing required. They grow inside tiny cavities in dolomite rock and have been forming for over 500 million years, when the Mohawk Valley of New York was covered by a shallow ancient sea. They emerge from the earth already brilliant, already geometric, already perfect. Nature did all the work.

A Personal Connection

I personally know the woman who found these Herkimer diamonds. She goes to a mine in Herkimer County, New York where anyone can show up with a bucket, safety glasses, and a little pick axe and search for them herself. It takes patience and gentleness and strength and a good deal of luck. You do not always find any. She loves it and I was so excited to purchase these from her so she can go and do it again.

There is something deeply wonderful about knowing the hands that found the stones in your jewelry. These Herkimers have a story that begins 500 million years ago in an ancient sea and ends with a woman with a pick axe and a bucket and a love for the hunt. 

The Earrings

Each earring is a hand formed sterling silver cage in a double diamond shape, holding one raw Herkimer diamond crystal at the top and one rough chunk of vivid green peridot at the bottom. All four stones are entirely as they were found in the earth, uncut and unpolished, which means every single one is completely unique. The sterling silver cage frames them with a geometric precision that feels almost architectural against the wildness of the raw stones inside.

These earrings drop about 2.5 inches from where they enter your ear and are made entirely from recycled sterling silver. They are lightweight enough for everyday wear and striking enough to stop people in their tracks.

• Length: About 2.5 inches from ear wire
• Stones: Raw peridot and Herkimer diamond quartz crystal
• Material: Recycled sterling silver throughout
• Stone finish: All four stones are completely natural and uncut

One of a Kind

There is only one pair of these earrings in the world. The stones inside them are unrepeatable, found by hand in the earth, and will never be arranged in exactly this way again.

A Note from Tamara

I made these earrings because that green makes me so happy I cannot stand it. Peridot is one of my favorite stones and pairing it with Herkimer diamonds felt like putting two of nature's most remarkable geological stories in conversation with each other. One from the depths of a volcano. One from the bottom of an ancient sea. Both sitting in your ears, exactly as the earth made them. I hope they make you as happy as they make me.

Shipping

Your earrings are finished, packaged safely, and will be on their way to you within 3 to 5 business days.