Ginkgo Leaf Earrings ♻️
- The oldest leaf on earth, cast in sterling silver with fine botanical detail.
- Recycled sterling silver — responsibly sourced by a woman-owned studio.
- Just under one inch from post to tip — close to the ear, effortlessly wearable.
The ginkgo is the oldest living tree species on earth. Two hundred and seventy million years old — older than the dinosaurs, older than flowers, older than almost every living thing that shares the planet with it. It survived the Permian extinction. It survived Hiroshima, resprouting from charred stumps within a year of the blast. And every autumn, without fail, it drops those unmistakable fan-shaped leaves in a single, silent cascade of gold. Botanists call it a "living fossil." Which undersells it considerably.
There's a reason the ginkgo leaf has appeared in art and ornamentation for centuries — from classical Japanese family crests to the Art Nouveau metalwork of René Lalique and the decorative ironwork of Hector Guimard's Paris Métro entrances. Its form is both radically simple and endlessly complex: a single stem splitting into a fan of delicate veins, symmetrical but never quite perfect. It's nature doing what the best designers aspire to — creating a shape so resolved it feels inevitable.
Nina Designs, a woman-owned studio with a deep commitment to responsible sourcing, cast these in recycled sterling silver — giving a 270-million-year-old form new life through reclaimed material. Each leaf is small, sculptural, and finely detailed, with the vein structure and gentle curve of a real ginkgo rendered with quiet precision. At just under an inch from post to tip and a mere 2 grams per pair, they sit close to the ear with an almost weightless presence — the kind of earring you put on in the morning and forget until someone asks about it. Sterling silver means naturally hypoallergenic, so they're comfortable from the first wear to the thousandth.
Handcrafted for Nina Designs using recycled sterling silver.
Specifications
- Material: Metal
- Metal: Sterling Silver
- Length: 9/10 inch (22mm)
- Weight: 2 g
- Made in Thailand
- 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.
LIVING FOSSIL
The ginkgo leaf has been a symbol of resilience and endurance across cultures for centuries, from Japanese heraldry to Art Nouveau metalwork. Nina Designs renders it in recycled sterling silver with the reverence its 270-million-year history deserves.
Inspired by the world's oldest surviving tree species
Cast in recycled sterling silver by a woman-owned brand
2 grams per pair — light enough to wear all day without a thought
THE REVIEWS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
The best way to know if you'll love our Ginkgo Leaf 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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