Crosscurrent Earrings
- Layered currents of color on copper and stainless steel.
- Giclée-printed with hypoallergenic, nickel-free ear wires.
- 2 inch drop — enough movement to catch light, not enough to overwhelm.
Watch a river long enough and you'll see it argue with itself — two currents meeting from different directions, neither yielding, the surface broken into small bright facets of chaos that somehow resolve into something more beautiful than still water ever manages. It's the tension that makes it worth looking at. The collision that makes the light interesting.
Illustrated Light and DC Designs have been exploring that kind of productive tension from their studio in Fort Collins, Colorado — the point where opposing forces stop canceling each other out and start generating something new. These earrings use giclée printing on layered copper and stainless steel to build depth the way moving water builds depth: through overlap, through interference, through warm tones pressing against cool ones until each layer is visible but inseparable from the whole. The effect is kinetic even when the earrings are perfectly still.
Confluence, caught in metal.
At two inches from ear wire to tip and just 3 grams per earring, they move with you — light enough to forget you're wearing them, present enough that other people won't. The copper brings a warmth that flatters every skin tone it sits against, and the stainless steel gives it structure and staying power. The ear wires are hypoallergenic and nickel-free.
Handcrafted in Fort Collins, Colorado by Illustrated Light and DC Designs.
Specifications
- Material: Metal
- Metal: Copper, Stainless Steel
- Length: 2 inches, including the ear wire
- Weight: 3 g
- Made in Fort Collins, Colorado
- 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.
WHERE FORCES MEET
The best energy in nature comes from collision — river currents, weather fronts, tectonic edges. These earrings translate that restless beauty into layered copper and stainless steel, printed with museum-grade giclée precision.
Inspired by the dynamic tension of crosscurrents in moving water
Giclée-printed layers on copper and stainless steel for shifting depth
3 grams per earring — effortless presence for all-day wear
THE REVIEWS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
The best way to know if you'll love our Crosscurrent 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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