Opaline Hour Earrings
- Opalescent color that shifts between pearl, lavender, and sea glass.
- Giclée-printed on layered stainless steel with copper ear wires.
- 2 inch drop — light and easy at just 3 grams per earring.
There's an hour just before sunrise that belongs to no one. The sky isn't dark and it isn't light. It's something in between — a pale, milky luminescence that seems to come from everywhere at once, as if the atmosphere itself is glowing. Colors exist there that have no names in daylight. They shift between pearl and lavender, between sea glass and cloud, and if you blink too long they're gone.
The opaline effect — that soft, directional glow that seems to float inside certain materials — captivated glassmakers and painters for centuries. Art Nouveau artists chased it obsessively, trying to trap that elusive inner light in enamel and blown glass and mosaic tile. It was never really about the color. It was about the way light behaves when it doesn't quite commit to a single wavelength, hovering instead in that shimmering indecision between warm and cool, between transparency and depth.
These earrings hold that same suspension.
Illustrated Light builds each piece from layered stainless steel, using a giclée printing process — the same fine-art reproduction method trusted by museums — to capture color with a subtlety and complexity that conventional jewelry techniques simply cannot reach. A copper ear wire adds a quiet warmth at the top, grounding the cooler opalescent tones below. At 2 inches from the top of the ear wire to the tip, and just 3 grams per earring, they carry themselves with an effortless, all-day lightness. 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 earwire
- 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.
CAPTURED HALF-LIGHT
Giclée printing on stainless steel allows for the kind of tonal complexity that makes opalescent color so difficult to replicate — soft gradients, inner luminosity, shifts that change with the angle of light. Illustrated Light and DC Designs have turned that complexity into something you can wear.
Inspired by the elusive glow of opaline light at dawn
Museum-quality giclée process on layered stainless steel
Hypoallergenic copper ear wires — lightweight enough for all-day wear
THE REVIEWS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
The best way to know if you'll love our Opaline Hour 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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