Intaglio earrings are earrings set with a stone whose design is carved down into the surface, so the picture seems to sit inside the glass. Choose by shape first, then by size and drop, then by colour.
The intaglio earrings collection runs to hundreds of pairs, in Victorian, Art Deco, Roman and Greek styles. A few questions narrow them down quickly.
Start with the shape
The outline of the stone sets the mood of the pair.
| Shape | How it reads | An example |
|---|---|---|
| Round | Calm and classical, like a seal or a coin | Blue round intaglio earrings, Victorian bridal style |
| Oval | A little longer, close to the shape of a classical gem | Clear oval intaglio earrings, Grand Tour Roman style |
| Square | Graphic, often linked with Art Deco | Green square intaglio earrings, 1920s Art Deco style |
| Rectangular | Longer lines, often linked with Art Deco, though ours also come in Victorian styles | Blue rectangular intaglio earrings, Victorian bridal style |
Round and oval stones suit a portrait or a profile. Square and rectangular stones suit a more graphic look. For the style names, see Victorian, Edwardian or Art Deco? A Quick Guide to Jewellery Styles.
Then the drop
How the stone hangs matters as much as the stone.
- Studs and small pairs. They sit close to the ear. Try a small blue pair if you want something light for daily wear.
- Drops and dangles. The stone hangs from a small drop, such as these blue intaglio earrings with Victorian pearl dangles. They move, and the carving catches the light as they turn.
- Hoops. A red glass intaglio hoop pair in a Victorian style puts the stone inside a hoop shape.
- Chandelier style. These clear laurel wreath intaglio earrings in a chandelier style stack the stone above a longer fall.
Reading size on a listing
Each listing gives the stone size and the height and width of the earring, in centimetres or millimetres. The easiest check is to measure an earring you already wear and compare it with the numbers. Remember to include the hoop or drop in the height, because that is what you see when you look in a mirror.
Larger stone or smaller
A larger stone has more room for detail, so the carving can show fine lines and a fuller picture. A smaller stone carries a simpler design and looks tidy at close range. Neither is better. It depends on whether you want the carving to be noticed from across a room or found on a second look.
Pairs with a motif
Some pairs carry a motif as well as a colour. The laurel wreath, the Roman mark of victory, is gathered in the laurel wreath collection, and the French lily is in the fleur-de-lis collection. A motif gives the pair a story you can tell when someone asks about it.
Then the colour
Colour does most of the work at a distance. The carving does it up close. If you are undecided, our guide to choosing the colour of intaglio jewellery goes through blue, green, pink, purple, red, yellow and clear glass. For pairs with a geometric outline, read Art Deco Earrings.
Matching a pair to what you already wear
Think about the pieces you reach for most. If your wardrobe is mostly plain and neutral, a coloured stone adds the one note you want. If you wear a lot of pattern, a clear or pale stone keeps the pair calm. If you already own a ring or a pendant in one of our colours, a matching pair in the same colour ties the look together without needing a set.
Three quick ways to choose
- One pair for every day: a small round or oval pair.
- One pair for occasions: a long drop or a chandelier style.
- One pair that carries the outfit: a larger square or rectangular stone in one strong colour.
How to wear them
- With your hair down, a long drop shows only at the edges. With your hair up, it shows in full.
- Keep the neckline and the necklace simple, so the earrings can lead.
- A small pair works with a collar or a scarf. A larger pair suits a bare neck.
- Put them on last, after perfume and hairspray have dried, and take them off first. Water and chemicals are what dull a finish.
Every pair is made by hand to order and sent in a gift box. Because each is made by hand, small differences between two pairs of the same design are normal.
Earrings need no size, which also makes them an easy gift. They are dispatched within 2 to 5 business days and arrive 15 to 20 days after you place the order, dispatch included.
Frequently asked questions
What does intaglio mean in earrings?
It means the design is cut down into the surface of the stone instead of standing up from it. In RingDesire earrings the stone is carved glass, and the carving seems to float inside it.
Is intaglio jewellery the same as intaglio jewelry?
Yes. Jewellery is the British spelling and jewelry the American one. The pieces are the same.
Which shape of intaglio earring is easiest to wear every day?
A small round or oval pair is the easiest. It sits close to the ear and does not catch on collars or scarves. Longer drops suit occasions or days when you want them to be noticed.
How do I know what size a pair will be?
Each listing gives the stone size and the height and width of the earring. Compare those numbers with an earring you already wear.
Are the earrings made to order?
Yes. Each pair is made by hand after you order and sent in a gift box, dispatched within 2 to 5 business days.