Handmade Pearl Crescent CZ Stud Earrings — 925 Sterling Silver, Freshwater Pearl, Rhodium Plated White Gold Finish, Swiss CZ

Everything else in the José Lux CZ stud range pairs a stone against a stone. The pearl crescent pairs two completely different materials: a freshwater pearl and a Swiss CZ arc. Those two materials don’t share optical properties. They don’t behave the same way in light. That’s the point.

A freshwater pearl returns soft, diffused, warm light. It glows rather than flashes. A Swiss CZ stone returns sharp, concentrated white brilliance. It flashes rather than glows. Setting them in the same earring creates a contrast that neither material achieves alone. The pearl reads as the warm, organic center. The CZ crescent reads as the bright, precise frame above it. Both are doing different things in the same piece.

The structure: a solid lower disc in 925 sterling silver forms the base. The freshwater pearl sits in a cup mount on the lower half of this disc — elevated, spherical, sitting proud of the metal. An open crescent arc in 925 sterling silver rises from the disc, curving over the pearl from approximately the 10 o’clock to 3 o’clock position. Seven Swiss CZ stones are set along this crescent arm in individual prong settings, following the curve. The upper portion of the circular outline is completed by the CZ crescent. The lower portion is the smooth solid disc holding the pearl. Screw-back post and nut, both 925 sterling silver, at the back.

The images show this clearly. Face-on: the pearl centered in the lower half, the CZ crescent arcing above it. Side profile: the pearl dome rising above the disc plane, the CZ arc curving over it. Lifestyle shots on the ear: the full circular silhouette, pearl warm against skin, CZ catching directional light above.

The Freshwater Pearl

The pearl is a freshwater cultured pearl. José Lux states that plainly: cultured, not wild. Every pearl used in commercial jewelry today is cultured — grown with human initiation inside a freshwater mollusk. A cultured freshwater pearl is a real pearl. It has genuine nacre layering. The iridescence is real. The warmth is real. It’s not simulated, not glass-coated, not synthetic.

Freshwater pearls are different from Akoya or South Sea pearls. They grow in mussels in freshwater rivers and lakes, predominantly in China. They come in a range of natural colors — white, cream, and soft pink are the most common. The pearls used in these earrings are white to cream with a warm pink overtone. That warm overtone is visible in the lifestyle shots, where the pearl reads as cream-pink against the skin rather than a cold flat white.

Freshwater pearls have natural surface variations. No two are identical. Minor surface irregularities — small ridges, slight asymmetries in shape, variations in the nacre surface — are characteristics of real pearls, not defects. José Lux selects pearls that are consistently round and have strong luster for this earring, but natural variation will exist between pairs. The luster — the depth of light reflection from within the nacre layers — is what you’re paying for. José Lux selects for strong luster as the primary quality criterion.

Pearls require more care than hard stones. They are softer and more porous than CZ or Moissanite. Perfume, hairspray, lotions, and chlorine all affect pearl nacre over time. The correct practice: put your earrings on last, after all products are dry. Take them off before swimming, showering, or exercising. Wipe the pearl with a soft dry cloth after wearing. That routine keeps the nacre surface intact for years. José Lux is honest about pearl care because a pearl earring that’s handled carelessly will show it.

The Swiss CZ Crescent Arc

The crescent arc is 925 sterling silver formed into a curve that follows the upper arc of the earring’s circular outline. Seven Swiss CZ round brilliant stones are set along this arm in individual prong mounts, following the curve from the upper-left to the upper-right. The stones are evenly spaced. Each has its own set of prongs. There’s visible space between adjacent stones — this is not a pave setting. Each stone is individually set, individually secured.

Swiss CZ is cubic zirconia sourced and cut to Swiss standards. Lab-created zirconium dioxide. Not Moissanite. Not diamond. The choice of CZ over Moissanite for this design is deliberate. Moissanite produces strong rainbow fire in directional light. Set in a crescent above a pearl, that fire would compete with the pearl’s soft glow and break the optical contrast the design relies on. Swiss CZ returns clean white flashes. The crescent sparkling white above the warm pearl reads as intentional contrast, not visual noise.

The positioning of the CZ stones along the crescent arm creates a specific reading. The crescent runs from roughly 10 o’clock to 3 o’clock in the face-on view. The CZ stones along this arc catch light from the front and top. The pearl below them catches and holds light differently — diffused, warm, from all directions. In a room with point-source lighting, the CZ arc flashes and the pearl glows simultaneously. The earring does two things at once. That’s the design logic.

The Crescent Mount Structure

The earring has two structural layers. The base layer is a solid circular disc in 925 sterling silver — the foundation the pearl sits on and the anchor for the crescent arc. The second layer is the crescent arc itself, which rises from the disc and curves over the pearl. The pearl cup mount is integrated into the disc. The arc’s terminal ends attach to the disc at the 9 o’clock and 4 o’clock positions, leaving the lower portion of the disc visible as smooth, polished silver between the two arc attachment points.

That smooth lower disc is not wasted space. It’s structural — it gives the pearl a clean backing that reflects light back up through the pearl from behind. A pearl with open space behind it sits darker. A pearl with a mirrored silver disc behind it catches that reflected light and reads brighter. The rhodium plated finish on the disc surface acts as a mirror plane behind the pearl. That’s visible in the product shots: the pearl reads luminous, not flat.

The side profile images show the physical relationship between the disc, the pearl, and the arc. The disc is the flat backplane. The pearl dome rises above it. The crescent arc rises higher still, curving over the pearl. Three layers of height reading from the ear outward: disc flat, pearl domed, CZ crescent arcing. That layering is what gives the earring its dimensional profile on the ear.

The pearl is secured in a drilled cup mount in the disc. The cup is sized to match the pearl’s diameter. The pearl is set with jewelry-grade adhesive into the cup — this is the standard method for pearl setting in this size range. The adhesive bond, when done correctly, is strong enough for normal daily wear. It is not designed to withstand direct impact or pressure applied to the pearl. Do not press the pearl firmly against hard surfaces. Do not force the earring into a closed jewelry box. Normal wearing, removing, and storing in an open tray is fine.

The Post and Screw-Back Closure

The post, screw-back nut, and backplate disc are all 925 sterling silver. No brass at any point of ear contact.

The screw-back threads mechanically onto the post. Wind clockwise until it seats against the lobe. That lock holds through daily movement, exercise, and sleep. It doesn’t degrade with repeated removal the way a push-back spring does. You unscrew it when you want it off.

For pearl earring care specifically: remove the screw-back and store the earrings open to the air after wearing, not sealed in a closed pouch. Pearls need to breathe — sealed storage traps moisture against the nacre surface. A soft-lined open tray or a cloth pouch left loosely gathered is the correct storage for this earring. The screw-back nut detaches completely if you want to wipe the post.

The cleaning routine for this earring is different from the pure CZ earrings. Do not submerge it in water. Do not brush the pearl. The CZ crescent can be brushed lightly with a dry soft brush if needed. The pearl surface should be wiped with a soft damp cloth only — no soap, no chemicals, no ultrasonic cleaners. The disc base and crescent arm can be wiped with a slightly damp cloth. Dry everything completely before storing.

The Metal and Plating

Every metal component — the disc base, the crescent arm, the pearl cup mount, the post, and the screw-back — is 925 sterling silver. 92.5% pure silver, 7.5% copper for structural rigidity.

The rhodium plated white gold finish is applied by hand at our Vietnam workshop. Not machine-dipped. Hand application is especially important on this earring because of the disc base behind the pearl. The disc’s reflective function depends on even plating coverage. A machine-dipped disc develops pooling at the edges and thin coverage at the center. Hand application allows the artisan to ensure even, consistent coverage across the full disc surface that backs the pearl.

The crescent arm also benefits from hand plating. The inner curve of the arm — the face that looks down toward the pearl — is as visible as the outer face in wear. A machine process gives the outer convex surface good coverage and leaves the inner concave surface thin. Hand plating covers both faces evenly. Both are visible in the product shots.

Rhodium is harder than gold. The finish holds its bright white appearance through daily wear. Conservative baseline: three years of regular daily wear before any noticeable change. Many José Lux customers re-plate after five years. The longest recorded before a first re-plate: eight years. Skin chemistry, wear frequency, and chemical exposure all affect the timeline. Re-plating is always free at José Lux — no time limit, no conditions. The pearl is not affected by the re-plating process — it can be removed from the cup mount for re-plating and re-set afterward.

Warranty and Repairs

Pearl and CZ earrings have two different components that each have their own warranty logic. José Lux covers both.

For the Swiss CZ stones:

• CZ stone re-setting: Always free. José Lux sources CZ in volume and absorbs the cost. Any CZ stone that comes loose under normal daily wear is re-set at no charge, no conditions, no time limit.
• Rhodium re-plating: Always free, no time limit.
• Prong re-tipping on the crescent arm: Free under normal wear conditions.

For the freshwater pearl:

• Pearl re-setting: If the pearl works loose from the cup mount under normal daily wear — no pressure, no impact — José Lux re-sets it free of charge. The cup adhesive bond occasionally releases with prolonged exposure to moisture or heat. That’s covered.
• Pearl replacement: If a pearl is lost or damaged under normal wear conditions, José Lux supplies a replacement pearl and re-sets it at our Vietnam workshop import cost only — not at retail. We’ll match the pearl luster and size to the remaining earring.

What’s not covered: pearls damaged by chemical exposure (perfume, chlorine, acids), pearls knocked loose by direct impact, CZ stones lost from prong deformation caused by a hard blow, or metal frame distortion from mechanical force. José Lux inspects each case individually. If a repair falls outside warranty, we quote the cost clearly before any work is done.

Shipping

Free via USPS to the United States and Europe. Tracking sent the day your order ships. Estimated delivery 7–14 business days. European orders can see customs delays — José Lux states that honestly rather than promise a window we can’t control.

Every shipment is 100% insured. If something goes wrong in transit — lost, delayed, or damaged — you’re covered in full. Even if an incorrect address was entered at checkout, a full refund is issued.

Your earrings ship in two layers: the inner box holds the earrings with anti-shock protection; the outer gift box protects everything in transit. A soft jewelry cloth and a José Lux workshop warranty card are included in every order.

Specifications

Style	Pearl Crescent CZ Stud Earrings
Sold As	One Pair — 2 Earrings
Center Element	Freshwater Cultured Pearl · Round · White to cream with warm pink overtone · Natural nacre luster
Pearl Setting	Cup mount in solid disc base · Adhesive set · Elevated dome above disc plane
CZ Crescent Arc	7 Swiss CZ round brilliant stones · Individual prong settings · Upper arc 10–3 o8–10 Swiss CZ round brilliant stones · Individual prong settings · Upper arc 10–3 o’clock#x2019;clock
CZ Material	Swiss CZ (Cubic Zirconia) — lab-created, Swiss cut standard
Base Structure	Solid circular disc in 925 sterling silver · Reflective backing behind pearl
Metal	925 Sterling Silver (92.5% pure silver / 7.5% copper) · All components
Post Material	925 Sterling Silver — solid, no base metal
Closure	Screw-Back — threaded sterling silver nut, fully removable
Plating	Rhodium Plated White Gold Finish — hand-applied at José Lux Vietnam workshop
Plating Durability	Conservative baseline: 3 years daily wear · Commonly reported: 5–8 years before re-plate
For	Women / Ladies · Pierced ears
Pearl Care	No chemicals, perfume, or water immersion · Wipe with soft damp cloth only · Store open to air
CZ Re-setting	FREE — always, no conditions, no time limit
Pearl Re-setting	FREE under normal wear conditions
Pearl Replacement	At José Lux Vietnam workshop import cost only — never retail
Re-plating	Always FREE — no time limit · Pearl removed and re-set during re-plate process
Shipping	Free USPS — United States & Europe · 7–14 business days
Insurance	100% order value insured — full refund if issue in transit
Origin	Handmade at José Lux workshop, Vietnam
Includes	1 pair earrings, jewelry cloth, José Lux workshop warranty card

Our Workshop

Our workshop is in Vietnam. The pearl crescent earring is the most material-diverse piece in the current José Lux earring range. It requires two separate sourcing chains — freshwater pearls selected for round shape, strong luster, and color consistency, and Swiss CZ stones matched in size for the crescent arc. Two different setting methods: individual prong setting for each CZ stone, and cup-adhesive setting for the pearl. Two different care profiles that have to be clearly communicated to the customer.

The artisans who build this earring at our Vietnam workshop have been working with pearl and CZ together for years. Selecting pearls that match across a pair is the most judgment-dependent part of the process — no two pearls are identical, and finding two that read as a matched set in luster, color, and size requires experience. The CZ crescent setting is bench work done with the same prong attention as the rest of the range. The hand-plating of the disc base, including the reflective backing area behind the pearl cup mount, requires the same care as any complex surface. All of it comes together in a piece where two very different materials have to read as one intentional design.

Your Earrings Arrive Protected — Two-Layer Box Packaging, USPS Insured

Your earrings ship in two layers of packaging. The inner jewelry box holds each earring securely in place. The outer box protects everything during transit. On top of that, the earrings themselves are wrapped in a shock-absorbing layer before they go into the box — so there's no movement, no impact damage, nothing shifts in transit.

Shipping is via USPS with 100% jewelry insurance on every order. If something goes wrong in transit — lost, delayed, damaged — we cover it. Even if an address was entered incorrectly at checkout, José Lux refunds you in full. You either receive your earrings in perfect condition, or you get your money back. That's the José Lux standard.

FAQ

Is this a real pearl or simulated?

Real. A freshwater cultured pearl — genuine nacre, grown inside a freshwater mollusk. Every commercial pearl earring sold today uses cultured pearls. “Cultured” means the pearl’s growth was initiated by human intervention, but the nacre is laid down naturally by the mollusk over time. The iridescence, the warmth, the surface luster — all real. A simulated pearl is a glass or plastic bead coated to look like a pearl. These are not that. José Lux states the type of pearl clearly: freshwater cultured.

Why does the pearl in the lifestyle shots look pink, not white?

Freshwater pearls have overtones. The base color is white to cream. The overtone — the secondary color cast visible when light hits the nacre surface at an angle — is a warm rose pink on the pearls used in this earring. That pink overtone is the pearl’s natural optical character. It’s visible in the lifestyle shots because the photography captures warm reflected light. In neutral indoor light, the pearl reads as cream-white. In warm directional light, the pink overtone becomes visible. Both are accurate representations of the same pearl in different lighting conditions.

What is the difference between how the pearl and the CZ look in wear?

They do completely different things. The Swiss CZ stones on the crescent arc produce sharp white flashes in directional light. Move the earring relative to a light source and the CZ stones flash. The pearl reflects light differently: it glows from within rather than flashing. Nacre is built of thin layers that partially reflect and partially transmit light at each layer boundary. The result is a diffused, deep luminosity rather than a point-source flash. The pearl glows steadily; the CZ catches and releases light. On the ear in motion, you see the CZ sparkle actively while the pearl reads as a constant warm glow beneath it.

How careful do I need to be with the pearl?

More careful than with a CZ-only earring, but not excessively so. The main things to avoid: perfume and hairspray directly on the pearl (spray first, then put the earrings on after products are dry), chlorine from pools or hot tubs, and moisture immersion. For daily office and social wear, these earrings are appropriate. For workouts, swimming, or anything involving prolonged sweat exposure, take them off. Wipe the pearl with a soft dry cloth at the end of each wearing. Store the earrings in an open tray — not a sealed bag or closed box — so the nacre surface can breathe. Pearl care is a habit, not a burden. Once the routine is established, it takes 30 seconds.

Can the pearl fall out?

It shouldn’t under normal daily wear. The pearl is set in a cup mount with jewelry-grade adhesive — the same method used across the pearl jewelry industry at this price range. The bond is strong for normal wear. What can weaken it: prolonged exposure to moisture (wearing through sweat or water repeatedly without allowing the adhesive to dry fully), direct contact with chemical solvents, or direct physical pressure applied to the pearl face. Avoid those and the pearl stays put. If the pearl does come loose under normal wear conditions, José Lux re-sets it free of charge.

How is this different from a plain pearl stud?

A plain pearl stud is one material: the pearl. The pearl does all the visual work. This earring is two materials with two different optical characters working together. The pearl provides warmth, softness, and organic texture. The Swiss CZ crescent provides sparkle, precision, and geometry. The crescent arc also contextualizes the pearl — it frames it, draws the eye toward it, and makes the pearl read as a design choice rather than a plain attachment. If you want only the pearl, a plain solitaire pearl stud is the right earring. If you want the pearl to do something more — be framed, be contrasted, have a companion material — this design does that.

Why screw-back instead of butterfly push-back?

Security and weight. The solid disc base plus the pearl dome plus the CZ crescent arm is heavier than a minimal solitaire stud. A butterfly push-back holds by spring friction that weakens over time, and a heavier earring stresses that friction more than a light one. The screw-back threads mechanically onto the post and holds the same way regardless of earring weight or how many times it’s been put on and taken off. For a multi-material earring you’re wearing daily, the screw-back is the right closure.

How long does the plating last?

The rhodium plated white gold finish is hand-applied at our Vietnam workshop. Conservative baseline: three years of regular daily wear. Many José Lux customers re-plate after five years. The longest recorded before a first re-plate: eight years. Skin chemistry, wear frequency, and chemical exposure all affect the timeline. Re-plating is always free. When the time comes, the pearl is removed from the cup mount, the earring is re-plated, and the pearl is re-set. No additional charge for the pearl removal and re-setting during a re-plate service.

Where are these earrings made?

Handmade at the José Lux workshop in Vietnam. Matching freshwater pearls for size, shape, and luster across a pair, setting each CZ stone on the crescent arm with consistent prong tension, fabricating the screw-back closures from sterling silver, and hand-plating the disc base with even rhodium coverage — including the reflective surface behind the pearl — are all done at our workshop. Our artisans have worked with both pearl and CZ settings for years. The combination of two materials with different care requirements makes this a more involved earring than anything else in the CZ range. That involvement shows in the finished piece.