Drops Earrings

Sleepers, a story of night and clasp

The term sleepers for earrings encompasses a very wide variety of designs, and for good reason, it actually refers to a type of clasp. This takes us right back to the origin of the name: sleepers referred to rings that women wore during the night to prevent the earlobe piercing hole from closing up. Their history dates back to the 19th century. The stem of the fermoir, rounded so as not to damage the skin, clips onto a thicker stem. Some antique earrings, such as those found on the second-hand market today - and which delight vintage jewelry lovers - also testify that the practicality of sleepers in no way excluded aesthetics. Even at night, women wore earrings with a diamond mounted on prongs or a pearl on a swivel. The sleepers proved to be reliable earrings that were not likely to be lost, so they left the world of the night to come out into the open. Now they are a type of earrings in their own right, but still characterized by their clasp. Alongside other earring clasps such as the hook clasp or the stroller clasp - the most common - the sleeper clasp ensures an optimal hold of the jewelry on the earlobe. Fully closed, it can be declined under other denominations: breakaway, lever, toggle clasp. Jewelers have also evolved it so that the front part is flatter and can thus be set.

Earrings all about understated elegance

As for the earrings themselves, the sleeper clasp is suitable for rather short and understatedly elegant earrings, halfway between the eartip and the pendant. Hearts, stars or flowers designs, as well as the drop shape, are particularly suitable for sleepers. One of the best illustrations of this is certainly the sleepers with the iconic Bohemian Snake pattern from Boucheron. But one could just as easily cite the Happy Diamonds by the House of Chopard, the Enchanted Lotus by De Beers or more recently the Move Uno line by Messika. One thing is for sure, sleeper earrings are particularly well-suited to iconic diamond-paved gold or platinum designs. They also highlight colored stones set with simplicity, whether precious or fine, and delicately illuminate the face. Among multiple models of luxury jewelry, the Châtelaine sleepers from David Yurman in 18-karat yellow gold paved with diamonds feature yellow citrine, deep blue topaz or turquoise. Ruby red, sapphire blue or emerald green for gemstones, the purple of amethyst, the green of jade, the light blue of lapis lazuli, as much as the red of carnelian and so many other examples of fine stones: the earring then takes on colors, which come to harmonize with the complexion of the face and the clothing.