First Light Falling Earrings
- Opal set in gold — all the colors of first light, shifting with every glance.
- Handcrafted in Brooklyn with gold-filled and gold-plated metal, hypoallergenic.
- 2½ inch drop — elegant length with almost no weight at just 1 gram per earring.
Dawn doesn't arrive all at once. It starts as a pale suggestion along the horizon — not color, exactly, but the memory of color — and then something shifts. A milky warmth slides across the sky, catching in the clouds, turning translucent. For a few minutes, everything looks like it's made of light that hasn't quite decided what it wants to be yet.
Opal has always carried that same indecision, that same shimmering refusal to commit to a single hue. The Romans called it "opalus" — a word likely descended from the Sanskrit "upala," meaning precious stone — and believed it contained the fire of the ruby, the green of the emerald, the blue of the sapphire, all at once. It was the stone of possibility, of everything about to happen. The Bedouins believed opals fell from the sky during thunderstorms, carrying lightning inside them. Science tells us the play of color comes from microscopic silica spheres diffracting light at different wavelengths, but honestly, the lightning theory is more fun.
Laura Stark, working from her Brooklyn studio, has set these stones so they look like they're barely being held — just enough gold-filled and gold-plated metal to cradle the opal and let it do what it does best, which is change every time the light changes. The design is minimal and intentional, the kind of restraint that only comes from a maker who trusts her materials completely.
At 2½ inches from the top of the ear wire, these have real length — the kind that catches light when you turn your head, that moves with conversation. At just 1 gram per earring, though, they are almost impossibly light, the sort of piece you genuinely forget you're wearing until someone across the table asks about them. The ear wires are hypoallergenic, so the only thing you'll feel is that quiet warmth of gold against skin.
Handcrafted by Laura Stark Designs in Brooklyn, New York.
Specifications
- Material: Opal
- Metal: Gold Filled, Gold Plated
- Length: 2 1/2 inches including the earwire
- Weight: 1 g
- Made in Brooklyn, New York
- 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.
DAWN, SUSPENDED
Opal has been treasured for millennia precisely because it refuses to be one thing. Laura Stark's Brooklyn studio honors that restlessness with settings that stay out of the way and let the stone speak.
Natural opal — every stone carries its own unique play of color
Handcrafted by a woman-owned studio in Brooklyn, New York
Gold-filled and gold-plated setting, hypoallergenic, 1 gram per earring
THE REVIEWS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
The best way to know if you'll love our First Light Falling 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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