Trilobite Earrings
- A half-billion-year-old icon, rendered in precise silver-plated brass.
- Hypoallergenic and nickel-free ear wires, featherweight at 2 grams.
- 1½ inch drop including ear wire — subtle, elegant, almost weightless.
Five hundred million years ago, long before anything walked on land, trilobites ruled the seafloor. They were among the first complex eyes on earth — compound lenses made of calcite crystal, each one a small miracle of biological engineering. They thrived for nearly three hundred million years, surviving every catastrophe the planet could throw at them, until the Great Dying finally closed their chapter. No vertebrate, no dynasty, no empire has come close to that kind of staying power.
There's a reason trilobites have captivated scientists and collectors since the earliest days of paleontology. Their exoskeletons fossilize with extraordinary precision, preserving every ridge and segment in stone, turning deep time into something you can hold in your hand. The Victorians were obsessed with them. So were the naturalists of the Enlightenment. Every era rediscovers them and finds them just as astonishing.
These earrings render the trilobite's segmented form in silver-plated brass, capturing the ridged symmetry of the original fossil with a level of detail that rewards a second look. At just 1½ inches including the ear wire and 2 grams per pair, they carry almost no weight at all — which means you wear the design, not the hardware. The ear wires are hypoallergenic and nickel-free.
There's something quietly powerful about wearing the oldest icon of complex life on earth as a piece of personal adornment. It reframes the fossil cabinet as something intimate, something alive against your skin.
Made in the USA by David Howell & Co.
Specifications
- Material: Metal
- Metal: Brass, Silver Plated
- Length: 1 1/2 inches, including the ear wire
- Weight: 2 g
- Made in United States
- Economy shipping is FREE with orders of $95 or more.
- All items are kept in stock and ship from our warehouse in North Carolina.
- We personally inspect every single item we sell, pack it by hand, and deliver the boxes to the post office.
- Orders generally ship the day following placement.
- We ship primarily via US Mail, but may use other carriers depending on package value and destination.
- Returns on items not marked Final Sale are accepted within 30 days of delivery. Read the full policy.
THE HAROLD & HAZEL DIFFERENCE
Every piece here has earned its place.
QUALITY MATERIALS
Sterling silver, genuine gemstones, and solid metals — no plastic or cheap materials.
REAL MAKERS
Every artist on this site has been personally verified for their talent and creativity.
LIMITED RUNS
Most pieces are made in small batches. When they're gone, they're often gone for good.
BOLD BY DESIGN
Every item here was chosen because it has color, character, and something to say.
DEEP TIME, WORN CLOSE
The trilobite survived for nearly three hundred million years — the longest-reigning complex organism in earth's history. David Howell & Co. translates that ancient, segmented architecture into a piece of jewelry that feels both scientific and deeply personal.
Inspired by one of the most iconic fossils in natural history
Cast in brass and silver-plated for fine, lasting detail
Lightweight enough to forget you're wearing them — until someone asks
THE REVIEWS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
The best way to know if you'll love our Trilobite Earrings? Hear from someone who already does.
Got questions?
We've got answers
Find fast answers about shipping, returns, and our unique jewelry.
How long does shipping take?
Most orders ship within one business day of placing your order — sometimes the same day. Economy shipping typically takes about a week via USPS, while standard shipping (Priority Mail) arrives in 2-3 business days. We're based in North Carolina, so East Coast orders tend to arrive a little faster. You'll receive a tracking number as soon as your order ships.
Will the jewelry fade or tarnish?
Our jewelry is made from a variety of materials, including sterling silver. Sterling silver will eventually tarnish, but you can slow that process by storing it in a small airtight bag or container, or in a special anti-tarnish bag. If it’s lost some shine, it can be gently washed with a soft cloth, warm water, and a drop of mild soap, such as blue Dawn. If you still see tarnish, use an anti-tarnish cloth. Do not use commercial jewelry cleaners unless they are specifically labeled safe for sterling silver. The best way to keep your sterling silver shiny is to wear it often! The more you wear it, the less tarnish you’ll see. And never wear sterling silver in the swimming pool or hot tub! Chlorine will cause it to tarnish almost instantly.
Most other metals don’t exactly tarnish, but they can get a little dull if they’re not worn. Washing with a tiny amount of mild soap is the best way to bring them back to life again. You can prevent this by putting on your jewelry last, after you apply hairspray or perfume, and don’t wear them in the shower or bath.
Genuine pearls do require extra gentle care. Don’t ever use commercial jewelry cleaners on them; you will almost certainly damage the nacre and destroy their unique sheen and iridescence. Be very careful about hairspray, cosmetics, and perfume, and absolutely never put them in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner!
Can I return or exchange?
Yes. You have 30 days from receipt to return or exchange anything that isn't marked Final Sale. Items need to be in new condition. Exchanges ship free, with no minimum order required. Returns are refunded minus a $5 shipping fee (once per shipment, not per item). We don’t ever charge restocking fees.
Is your jewelry hypoallergenic?
Most of our pieces are hypoallergenic, but not all. You can filter to only show hypoallergenic pieces when browsing, and you will also see an icon on all pieces certified hypoallergenic and nickel-free by their makers.
Can I track my order?
Yes — as soon as your order ships, you'll receive a tracking number by email so you can follow it the whole way to your door.
What makes your jewelry different?
Honestly? Most of it comes down to Amanda. Every maker on this site has been personally researched and verified — she checks that pieces are genuinely handmade, by the person who claims to have made them, using the materials listed. These are small-batch pieces in sterling silver, gold-filled, and genuine gemstones, mostly made in the USA. They aren’t factory pieces, aren’t from resellers, and are not the same thing you'd find on a hundred other sites. When something sells out here, it often stays sold out.
THE MOMENT IT CLICKS
That "oh, I love it" feeling! This is what finding the right jewelry feels like.
WE THINK YOU’LL ALSO LOVE…
More pieces we adore – and that we reckon you will, too.