Featuring a faceted amethyst stone set in a teardrop with intricate filigree work. Light and elegant, they are perfect for adding a pop of color to an all day wear.
- Material: Sterling silver and amethyst
- Size: 0.875" x 0.625" (Plus Hook)
- Origin: Bali
- Features: Handmade and artisan-created, faceted amethyst stone with filigree work
design: A teardrop-shaped drop earring built around an open scrollwork center, edged with a fine beaded silver border and set with a faceted amethyst at the base of each frame.
size: 0.875" x 0.625" (plus hook)
material: Sterling silver and amethyst
features: Handmade, faceted amethyst, openwork filigree scrollwork, granulated bead border, sterling silver French hook
care: Wipe with a soft, dry polishing cloth after wear and store in a fabric pouch away from moisture and household chemicals to keep the silver from tarnishing.
disclaimer: Because each pair is handmade, small variations in the filigree scrollwork and the amethyst's exact tone and faceting are normal and part of the piece's handcrafted character.
The Story
The teardrop frame on these earrings is built from two techniques long practiced by Balinese silversmiths: filigree, in which fine silver wire is coiled and soldered into open scrollwork, and granulation, in which tiny silver beads are fused one by one along the border. Both techniques take patience and a steady hand, since each wire curl and bead is placed and soldered individually before the piece is polished and darkened in the recesses to bring out the detail.
This style of silverwork is closely associated with the villages of Bali's Gianyar regency, particularly Celuk, where generations of family workshops have specialized in silver and gold work for temple offerings, ceremonial dress, and jewelry. The open scroll pattern seen in the center of this teardrop echoes decorative motifs found throughout Balinese carving and metalwork, though it is used here purely as a jewelry design rather than a ceremonial object.
Buying a piece like this supports the continuation of that workshop tradition, where skills are typically passed down through apprenticeship within a family or village rather than taught in a classroom.
A silversmith starts by drawing sterling silver into fine wire, then twisting and coiling lengths of it into the scrolled shapes that fill the teardrop frame. Tiny silver beads are formed and soldered one at a time along the outer edge in a technique called granulation, building the dotted border seen around the piece. The faceted amethyst is cut separately by a stone cutter, then set into a bezel at the base of the frame. Once assembled, the earring is oxidized to darken the recessed details and hand-polished so the raised silverwork catches the light.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Bali, Indonesia
- Craft Tradition: Balinese filigree and granulation silverwork
- Ideal For: Someone who wants a pop of color with visible, fine handcrafted detail for everyday wear
- Wear It With: Pairs well with simple necklines and solid-color tops that let the filigree and amethyst stand out
- Purpose: Everyday wear, gifting, dressing up a simple outfit
- Gemstone: Amethyst
- Metal: Sterling silver
Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz, with color that ranges from pale lilac to deep purple depending on where it forms. It's the traditional birthstone for February and has a long history in adornment, having been used in royal and ecclesiastical jewelry for centuries thanks to its rich color and relative durability (a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, suitable for everyday jewelry). Here it's cut with facets to catch the light against the surrounding silver filigree.
Questions & Answers
Are these earrings handmade?
Yes. Each pair is handmade by a silversmith in Bali using filigree wirework and granulated bead detailing, so small variations between pairs are normal.
What stone is set in the earrings?
A faceted amethyst, a purple variety of quartz, is bezel-set at the base of each teardrop frame.
Will the amethyst color match exactly between the two earrings?
Because the stones are natural and cut individually, slight differences in tone or clarity between the pair are expected and part of their handmade character.
What does 'filigree' mean on these earrings?
Filigree is a technique where fine silver wire is coiled and soldered into open, lace-like scrollwork; on these earrings it fills the center of the teardrop and is bordered by a row of soldered silver beads (granulation).
How do I keep the silver from tarnishing?
Store the earrings in a fabric pouch away from moisture, and wipe them with a soft polishing cloth after wear rather than using harsh chemical cleaners.
