Bronze Earrings: What to Know Before You Buy a Pair

Bronze earrings are one of those things you don't notice until you do, and then you can't stop seeing them. They have a warmth that silver lacks and a softness that gold can't quite manage, somewhere between toffee and old pennies. If you're weighing up a pair, for yourself or as a present, here's what's worth knowing before you buy.

What bronze actually is (and why it looks the way it does)

Bronze is mostly copper with a bit of tin, an alloy people have been casting for about five thousand years. The tin hardens the copper and pulls its colour away from pink towards a deeper, honeyed brown. Polished, it glows. Left alone, it slowly darkens into a richer patina, which is half the appeal. A pair of bronze earrings bought today will look a little different in a year, and a little different again after that. Some people love that. If you want something that never changes, bronze probably isn't your metal.

That slow change is also why bronze became the traditional gift for an eighth wedding anniversary. There's a short piece on what the bronze anniversary means if you're curious about the symbolism.

Will bronze earrings irritate sensitive ears?

This is the question we hear most, and it's a fair one. The part of an earring that actually goes through your ear is the hook, not the drop. On our pieces the hooks are sterling silver, so the bronze itself hangs below the lobe and only brushes the skin now and then. Most people with everyday sensitivity get on fine with that arrangement.

If you know you react to copper specifically, be cautious, because bronze is mostly copper. And if you've ever had a faint green mark from a ring, that's the same harmless reaction between copper and skin, not a sign of anything nasty. We go into it properly in does bronze jewellery tarnish?

Choosing a style

Bronze suits simple shapes. Intricate filigree tends to get lost in the colour, whereas a clean outline lets the metal do the talking. A few things to think about:

• Finish. A polished surface is brighter and dressier. A beaten or hammered finish breaks the light up into little flashes and hides everyday scuffs.
• Length. Short drops, around 3cm, sit just below the lobe and work with hair up or down. They're easy to wear every day, which matters more than people think.
• Shape. Hearts are the obvious anniversary choice, and there's nothing wrong with obvious. An irregular, off-shaped heart feels a bit less sentimental and a bit more handmade.
• Matching. If she already wears a bronze pendant, earrings in the same finish make an easy pairing. Our bronze jewellery guide for her covers how to put pieces together.

Bronze earrings as an 8th anniversary gift

Earrings are a slightly underrated anniversary present. They're personal without being loaded the way a ring is, they're small enough to wrap in a card envelope, and she'll actually wear them rather than keeping them in a drawer for best. For an eighth anniversary they tick the bronze box without anyone needing to explain the tradition.

If you'd like to look at the wider range first, our 8th anniversary gifts for her and the full 8th anniversary gifts collection are good places to start, and bronze anniversary gifts for her rounds up our favourites. Buying for him as well? Bronze cufflinks are the natural counterpart. And bronze isn't only for year eight: it's also the traditional gift for the 19th anniversary.

Whatever you choose, add a line or two in the card. If you're stuck, we've written a whole guide to what to write in a bronze anniversary card.

Looking after them

The honest answer is: not much. Take them out before swimming or showering, store them somewhere dry (a small pouch or a lidded box is ideal), and give them a gentle rub with a soft cloth when you want the shine back. Avoid harsh cleaners. If they've darkened more than you'd like, a jewellery polishing cloth will bring the colour up again in a minute or two. If you prefer the darker patina, simply leave them be.

A few pairs we'd pick

If we were buying for someone we love, these are the ones we'd reach for first. They're all solid bronze, finished by hand, and all on sterling silver fittings. See the rest in our bronze jewellery collection.

Bronze Heart Earrings – Handmade

£59.00

Bronze Heart Earrings – Beaten Texture

£55.00

Bronze Off-Shaped Heart Earrings

£55.00

Bronze Off-Shaped Heart Earring & Necklace Set

£79.00

Frequently asked questions