Clover Earrings in 925 Sterling Silver

Clover earrings: the four-leaf clover in earring size

The four-leaf clover is one of the few motifs that still works small. Four equal leaves around a center stay recognizable even at seven millimeters, while most symbols turn into a blur at that size. That is why you see the clover everywhere as a stud and rarely as a 10 cm (4in) pendant.

What to look for in clover earrings

• The size. Below 5 mm you lose the shape and only see a sparkle. Above 10 mm it becomes a statement that no longer fits under a beanie. Seven millimeters is the most popular size.

• The stone. Moissanite disperses light more strongly than diamond (dispersion 0.104 versus 0.044) and is 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale. Cubic zirconia is 8 to 8.5 and wears at the edges of small stones, exactly where a clover has the most of them.

• The metal. Solid 925 sterling silver has no layer that can come off. Plated earrings work too, but then the thickness of the coating matters.

• The closure. Studs with butterfly backs sit flattest against the earlobe and are less likely to get lost than a hinged closure.

Wearing clover earrings

Clover studs lie flat against the earlobe, so they stay comfortable under a beanie, a helmet or on a pillow. Wear them on their own and let the clover do the work. Take them off before swimming and the gym: chlorine and sweat are what make silver tarnish fastest.