White opal teardrop studs with zirconia, rhodium-plated 925 silver, 6x4 mm

A drop of opal on your lobe, and your complexion lights up. These stud earrings combine white Australian opal in a prong setting with zirconia, on rhodium-plated 925 silver, in our Chic collection.

The stone measures 6 x 4 mm and the studs weigh 1.4 g. Closed with a butterfly back, they can be worn every day, alone or with a pale pendant.

Opal is a hydrated silica: it forms slowly in the cracks of rocks, where silica-laden water deposits tiny spheres stacked in regular layers. This arrangement diffracts light and creates its "play of color", those shifting flashes like a rainbow. Australia, where most of the opals in our jewelry come from, supplies the bulk of the world's precious opals; the origin of each stone is stated on its product page. The Romans called it opalus and saw it as a symbol of love and hope; its reputation as a stone of bad luck only dates back to a novel by Walter Scott, in the 19th century. Some opals are set as doublets: a thin layer of opal joined to its dark host rock, which intensifies its colors; both layers are natural.

The stone in your jewelry comes from Australia.

In lithotherapy, opal is seen as a stone of creativity, intuition and hope. It is credited with the power to stimulate the imagination and help express pent-up emotions; it may also help soothe stress and bring back a lighter mood. Tradition associates it with the signs of Libra, Scorpio and Taurus, and makes it the birthstone for October. These beliefs, handed down by lithotherapy, have never been demonstrated by science and are in no way a substitute for medical advice. Wearing an opal is first and foremost the pleasure of watching its colors change with the light.

Your rhodium-plated 925 silver jewelry needs no special care. Clean it in lukewarm, soapy water with a soft cloth, then dry it. Avoid hard brushes, which can scratch it, and harsh chemicals. Over time, the rhodium layer may wear off: a jeweler can then apply a new one.

Opal is a delicate stone: it contains water and is sensitive to knocks, heat and sudden changes in temperature, which can crack it. Even if the metal of your jewelry can handle water, the opal itself must never be soaked: take off your jewelry for the shower, the bath or swimming, as well as for sports, gardening or housework. Keep it away from perfume and chemicals, which can damage it, and store it separately so that it does not rub against harder stones. To clean it, rinse it quickly in lukewarm, lightly soapy water, then dry it immediately with a soft cloth. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners. In lithotherapy, it is recharged in the soft light of the moon rather than in the sun, whose heat does not suit it.

925 silver is an alloy made up of 92.5% pure silver. Rhodium plating gives it a shiny finish that limits tarnishing. Designed to be worn every day, with complete peace of mind: our jewelry complies with the European REACH regulations on nickel, lead and cadmium. Each piece is hallmarked and comes with its certificate of authenticity. The hallmarking combines the 925 fineness mark and a sponsor's mark registered in the European Union; only pieces too small to be stamped are exempt.

For you if you like small touches of sparkle, or for a refined gift that's easy to wear. Rhodium-plated 925 silver is hypoallergenic and complies with REACH regulations: it suits most sensitive skin.