These striking hoops blend tradition with industrial edge. Featuring stacked black vulcanite discs and a rich brown glass bead, they’re anchored in cultural texture and framed by polished gold—a bold, rhythmic composition for the modern wearer.
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Design: Semi-wrapped gold hoops with black vulcanite discs and a central U-shaped charm housing a brown glass bead.
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Material: Gold-plated brass, vulcanite (recycled rubber), and faceted brown glass.
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Size: Approx. 1.9375" x 1.4375"
- Country of Origin: USA
Inspired by tribal adornment and reimagined through a contemporary lens, these handcrafted earrings offer both grit and glamour. The vulcanite—once used in antique West African trade beads—adds cultural weight and a matte contrast to the warm luster of glass and gold. Each pair is assembled by hand in the USA.
Care & Disclaimer:
Natural variations in vulcanite and glass color are expected and add uniqueness to each piece. Avoid water, lotions, and perfumes. Store flat or hang individually to prevent distortion or scratching.
design: Slim gold-tone hoops with the lower half wrapped in stacked black vulcanite discs, anchored by a U-shaped gold bracket that cradles a single round brown glass bead.
size: Approx. 1.9375" x 1.4375"
material: Gold-plated brass, vulcanite (recycled rubber), and faceted brown glass.
features: Stacked vulcanite disc wrapping, gold cube spacer beads, U-shaped bead cage, lightweight open hoop, hand-assembled construction
care: Keep these earrings away from water, lotions, and perfumes, and store them flat or hang them individually so the hoops don't bend or scratch.
disclaimer: Vulcanite and glass are natural, hand-finished materials, so slight variation in color and sheen between pairs is normal and expected.
The Story
The black discs stacked along these hoops are vulcanite — hardened, vulcanized rubber that was cut and strung as beads across West African trade routes, often as a lightweight, durable stand-in for amber. Traders valued vulcanite for taking a high polish while staying far lighter than stone, which made it practical for adornment worn daily rather than saved for rare occasions.
This design borrows that stacked-disc silhouette and rebuilds it in a modern hoop format, pairing the matte black rubber with a faceted brown glass bead set in a simple gold bracket. The result reads as a conversation between two bead traditions — the deep, worn matte of vulcanite and the warm luster of glass — rather than a literal reproduction of any single historical piece.
Glass beads have their own long history in West African adornment, both locally produced and brought in through centuries of trade. Placing one at the center of these hoops keeps that layered material history visible and legible, rather than smoothing it into a single generic look.
Each pair starts as a length of gold-plated brass wire, hand-formed into a hoop and finished with a simple hook closure. The vulcanite discs are strung individually along the lower arc, packed tightly by hand so the stack sits flush and even. A separate gold bracket is then fitted with the glass bead and small brass spacer cubes before being joined to the hoop — a multi-step assembly done by hand, piece by piece, in the USA.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: USA
- Ideal For: Someone who likes bold, graphic hoops with texture and material contrast rather than a plain metal silhouette.
- Wear It With: Let them stand alone with simple layered necklaces or a solid-color top so the disc stacking and glass bead read clearly.
- Purpose: Everyday wear, statement dressing, gifting
- Metal: Gold-plated brass
Questions & Answers
What is vulcanite, and is it a stone?
No — vulcanite is vulcanized (hardened) rubber, not a mineral. It was historically cut into discs and beads and traded across West Africa as a lightweight alternative to amber, and here it's used for its deep matte-black finish.
Are these earrings heavy to wear?
No. The hoops are thin gold-plated brass and vulcanite is a light material, so despite their sculptural look they wear comfortably for all-day use.
Will my pair look exactly like the photo?
Close, but not identical — vulcanite and glass are hand-finished materials, so small variations in color and sheen are normal and part of what makes each pair unique.
How do I keep them looking their best?
Avoid water, lotions, and perfumes, and store them flat or hang them individually rather than tossing them in with other jewelry.
Where are these earrings made?
They're hand-assembled in the USA, with the vulcanite detailing referencing a material long used in West African trade beads.
