Thick and Thin Hoop Earrings

These handmade Argentium Sterling Silver hoop earrings pair a textured classic hoop with a delicate moving circle, creating a lightweight everyday design with a little extra meaning.

• Materials: Solid nickel-free Argentium Sterling Silver
• Length: Approximately 1.1 inches (28 mm)
• Width: Approximately 0.8 inches (20 mm)
• Weight: Approximately 3.4 grams per pair, including ear nuts
• Finish: High-polish finish with hand-hammered texture
• Closure: Sterling silver posts with premium 9 mm locking ear nuts

These are my Through Thick and Thin Hoops, a design that takes the familiarity of a classic silver hoop and gives it a more sculptural, dimensional feel. The main hoop is made from heavier silver that I forge and texture by hand. I then drill through the silver itself so that a smaller, more delicate circle can pass directly through the wider hoop. The thin quite literally goes through the thick, creating a little movement as you wear them.

These come on a Through Thick and Thin card within the gift box so the symbolism is clear.

The texture on the larger hoop was a very intentional choice. I use a cross-peen hammer to create small linear marks rather than a traditional dimpled hammer texture. Those lines remind me of the markings on the bark of a birch tree, which felt especially fitting with the history behind the phrase "through thick and thin."

The expression traces back to the idea of traveling through both thick, densely wooded areas and thinner, easier terrain. Over time, it came to represent continuing on regardless of the conditions. I love how universal that sentiment is. These earrings can be a personal reminder to keep pursuing something that matters to you, whether that's a goal, a practice, or simply taking better care of yourself. They can also be a meaningful gift to thank someone who has stood beside you through thick and thin, or a way of telling someone that you'll be there for them in return.

I slightly flare the smaller silver circle to give it more dimension and contrast against the textured hoop. Because it hangs freely through the larger form, it has subtle movement when worn. Both elements are polished to a highly reflective shine, allowing the smooth and hammered surfaces to catch the light differently.

What surprised me most about this design was how much I loved it once I put the earrings on. The overlapping circular shapes have an almost bubble-like quality on the ear, and the movement makes them feel playful and modern without losing the simplicity of a classic hoop.

They're lightweight, comfortable, and easy to wear every day, but the contrasting textures, moving silver circle, and Through Thick and Thin symbolism make them so much more than an ordinary pair of hoops.