Belle Etoile "Regal" Black Mother-Of Pearl and .45 ct. t.w. CZ Hoop Earrings in Sterling Silver. 1/2"

HOOP: An earring that loops from the front of the ear to the back.

STERLING SILVER: Also known as "Standard Silver," sterling silver is silver alloyed with other metals to increase the hardness and durability. Generally, sterling is 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. Some sterling silver jewelry is plated with 14kt-18kt gold and referred to as "vermeil," or "gold over sterling."

CLIP/POST: An earring with a post insert and a clip mechanism to hold it in place. The post can be removed by a jeweler to convert the earrings to clip-on.

CUBIC ZIRCONIA: once called the poor cousin to the diamond, CZs have since become a fashion statement in their own right. Perfect for travel and a little extra bling, CZ Jewelry is one of man's flawless creations.

BRILLIANT: A gemstone cut to enhance brilliance without sacrificing much carat weight. Typically has 58 facets.

MOTHER-OF-PEARL: Glowing with an iridescent beauty, mother-of-pearl has been showcased in jewelry designs for thousands of years. As mother-of-pearl is a natural substance, it may vary in appearance, and its distinctive shimmer lends a quiet elegance to fine jewelry.

SQUARE: A symmetrical shape with four equal sides.

CARVED: When a gemstone is cut so that the outline or surface takes the form or likeness of a specific image or pattern.