Radiolaria Earrings: Spumellaria

These earrings are based on Spumellaria, a type of Radiolaria. Radiolaria are aquatic protozoan life forms that develop a fantastically intricate silica-containing shell. The sea floor is composed of their microscopic fossilized skeletons. The Radiolarian 'Spumellaria' is defined by its elaborate sphere-within-a-sphere construction. The delicate spines on the shell are important for the buoyancy of the plankton during its lifetime, but break off when the shell is deposited in the sea bed. This design was inspired by a drawing by the German naturalist, Prof. Ernst Haeckel.

The earrings are approximately 1.6 cm (0.6 in) in diameter, including spikes, and each earrings weighs 1.5 g.

These earrings have sharp points and should be worn with caution.

The earrings are available in solid sterling silver or 14K gold plated brass, finished with nickel-free sterling silver or gold plated silver hooks to match, and are ready for gift giving with a gift box, polishing cloth, and care instructions.