Ellis Island Wrought Iron Earrings
- Inspired by the ornamental wrought ironwork of Ellis Island's registry hall.
- Silver-plated brass with a faux pearl accent — delicate and hypoallergenic.
- 1½ inch drop — sits close and quiet, an understated presence.
Between 1892 and 1954, twelve million people passed through a single building on a small island in New York Harbor. They carried almost nothing. What greeted them — before the questions, before the medical exams, before the new names scrawled into ledgers — was architecture. Soaring arched windows, vaulted ceilings clad in Guastavino tile, and everywhere, the ornamental wrought ironwork that lined the registry hall like a quiet declaration: you have arrived somewhere that was built to receive you.
The ironwork at Ellis Island is one of those details that most photographs miss. It wasn't purely structural. It was decorative, deliberate — scrolled and curved in patterns that borrowed from Beaux-Arts tradition but carried something distinctly American in their openness and repetition. The craftsmen who forged those railings and gates were themselves often recent immigrants, shaping metal into the visual language of a threshold between old worlds and new ones. It's an art form that tends to disappear into the background of grander architectural narratives, but stand close to it and you feel its weight, its intention, its warmth.
These earrings carry that ironwork forward.
Silver-plated brass captures the scrolled wrought iron motif in miniature, with a single faux pearl suspended at the base — a nod to the harbor itself, to passage over water, to something precious held gently in place. At just 1½ inches including the ear wire and a featherlight 1 gram per pair, they sit close and quiet, the kind of earring you forget you're wearing until someone leans in to look. The ear wires are hypoallergenic, and each pair arrives boxed and ready.
Made in the USA by David Howell & Co.
Specifications
- Material: Metal, Faux Pearl
- Metal: Brass, Silver Plated
- Length: 1 1/2 inches, including the ear wire
- Weight: 1 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.
THE THRESHOLD BETWEEN WORLDS
The wrought ironwork of Ellis Island was forged by immigrant craftsmen in the Beaux-Arts tradition — decorative metalwork that welcomed millions at America's most storied point of arrival. These earrings miniaturize that legacy into something you can wear.
Design drawn from the historic ironwork of Ellis Island
Silver-plated brass with a suspended faux pearl accent
Virtually weightless at 1 gram — effortless for all-day wear
THE REVIEWS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
The best way to know if you'll love our Ellis Island Wrought Iron 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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