April Insects – Rhinoceros Beetle
These drop earrings are handmade in my studio and feature long sterling silver riveted hooks which are super strong and are made using 1mm thick wire so you'll hopefully never lose an earring again!
Made from recycled and oxided brass, copper and sterling silver, these statement Rhino Beetle Earrings are intricately handmade.
Each design starts out from a sketched drawing. It is then uploaded to my computer and my cnc machine etches the wing and belly patterns, before cutting out the silhouettes of all three layers. On the copper layer I then add more texture to each piece before doming the round shells. The domed shells are then soldered to the body giving the rhino beetle its distinct look.
Each edge is then filed smooth, a hole drilled and countersunk to remove any burs. All surfaces are then sanded to remove any scratches and polished using various grades to reveal a shiny matt finish. A sterling silver tube is cut to create a spacer between the layers for extra movement. All pieces are then cleaned and dipped in the oxide before being polished back to reveal their end finishes. The custom riveted hooks are then added and each pair is given a final hand polishing before they are ready for their new owners.
These earrings measure approximately 80mm tall and 65mm wide and are very light weight.
These earrings can be worn with or without the brass wings making them a big statement piece or an everyday piece.
The brass back layer comes in a natural finish, no added polish or wax has been added to the surface, so the metal will age over time adding to the character and charm.
The copper top layer has been oxided (a black patina added to the surface). This will rub off overtime so cleaning should be kept to a minimum to prolong its longevity. Should you wish to have them re-oxided after the patina has worn away, just contact me and I can arrange this service.
If you prefer the back brass layer of your earrings to maintain a bright shiny appearance you will need to keep cleaning them regularly using a green scourer pad (see cleaning tips for more information).
All Meekz jewellery comes with complimentary gift wrapping.