Aphrodite's Envy Earrings
- Bronze and sterling silver — two metals, one ancient story.
- Handcrafted in Bali using traditional metalworking techniques.
- 1 inch total drop — intimate, close-sitting, confident.
The Greeks needed a reason the calla lily wasn't perfect. It looks as though it should be — all clean line and furled white throat, a shape that seems less grown than designed. But at the center of every bloom sits a blunt gold spadix, a spindle that interrupts the purity, and that interruption needed explaining. The story goes that the flower sprang from drops of Hera's milk fallen to earth, and that Aphrodite, unaccustomed to being outdone in her own domain, couldn't bear the sight of something so nearly flawless. So she reached into its throat and set a shaft of gold there — a deliberate blemish, envy made physical, so no one would ever mistake the flower for her equal.
She miscalculated. The gold became the best part.
These earrings carry that curl, and that gold. Bronze shaped into the furled trumpet of the calla, down to the small inward scroll at the base, hung on sterling silver ear wires that are hypoallergenic and nickel-free. Each earring drops 1 inch from the top of the wire and weighs 2 grams, light enough to wear from morning through dinner without remembering they're there. The warm metal against the bright silver wire gives them a quiet two-tone complexity that reads as intentional, never matchy.
Handcrafted by Nina Designs.
Specifications
- Material: Metal
- Metal: Bronze, Sterling Silver
- Length: 1 inch, including the ear wire
- Weight: 2 g
- Made in Bali
- 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.
ENVY OF THE GODDESS
Named for the Greek story in which Aphrodite, unable to bear the calla's near-perfection, set a spindle of gold at its heart — the flaw that became the best part.
Glowing bronze and nickel-free sterling silver
Handcrafted by skilled Balinese metalsmiths
Featherweight at 2 grams per earring with hypoallergenic ear wires
THE REVIEWS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
The best way to know if you'll love our Aphrodite's Envy 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.
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