Azalea flower bud hoop earrings in gold vermeil. The flower buds are made in recycled fine silver with a thick coating of 24 carat gold plate of approximately 2.5 microns which is the international standard for gold vermeil. The earrings are approximately 4.5 cm from the top of the hoop (1 3/4 inches ) the drop length is 2.5 cm (1 inches ) and the width is 1.2cm ( just under 1/2 inch).

These pretty botanical floral bud earrings are handcrafted from real azalea buds from our garden, I made several moulds and then made the bud charms using fine silver metal clay and I coiled the stems into a loop so I could use the coli to hang the buds from on the little hoop that is made from gold vermeil plated sterling silver and wire wrapped into hoop ear wires. Each azalea bud comes out a little different to the last and no two match completely which I think adds to their charm!

The buds are made from fine silver metal clay, fine silver is 99.9% silver, so very pure. Metal clay was first created by the Japanese back in 1990 in gold and then in turn silver, it is microscopic particles of silver mixed into a binder, it can be sculpted, textured, rolled etc. it is then fired whereupon the binder burns away and the particles fuse together or sinter into a metal piece.

I love metal clay and the textures that can be created on a piece but please note it is not like milled metal sheet which can be made very smooth and is often highly polished.

All my items are gift wrapped!