Vivienne Westwood
Mayfair Bas Relief Earrings
The Mayfair Bas Relief Earrings by Vivienne Westwood are a pair of silver-tone stud earrings featuring the brand's iconic orb motif topped by a cross and encircled by a faceted ring, made from brass with crystal embellishments. Designed for pierced ears, they close with a push-back mechanism, are engraved with the signature on the back, and measure 0.75 inches (2 cm) in height by 1 inch (2.5 cm) in width. Based on user feedback, the brass construction may be fragile and prone to tarnishing with regular wear, making them better suited for occasional use.
- Color
- Silver-tone
- Material
- Silver-tone brass hardware and crystals
- Gender
- female
- Style
- classic, glam
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Jewelry > Earrings
Color
Size
Specifications
Vivienne Westwood iconic orb earrings with silver-tone finish and crystals.
Push back closure, signature engraved on back, crystal embellishment.
- Color
- Silver-tone · gray
- Material
- Silver-tone brass hardware and crystals
- Style
- classic, glam
- Occasion
- party, date-night, everyday
- Gender
- female
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Jewelry > Earrings
Additional Attributes
- silver-tone brass hardware
- decorative crystals
- push back closure for pierced ears
- signature engraved on the back
- height: 0.75 inches
- width: 1 inch
- iconic orb design
- luxurious finish
Product Insights
The Mayfair Bas Relief Earrings by Vivienne Westwood use bas-relief sculpting and geometric metal patterning to create a textured, unisex aesthetic that recontextualizes the Sovereign's Orb as a punk symbol. Available in silver-tone finish on brass, the design prioritizes sculpture over crystals for architectural presence with a 2x2.5cm footprint. Despite lightweight comfort and versatility across occasions, buyers report frequent breakage, tarnishing, plating wear, and green skin from moisture, with repairs unavailable, leading many to consider the $175 price overpriced for the construction.
Verified claims
- Sculptural technique
- Bas-relief sculpting gives the orb a textured, raised surface with shifting highlights.
- Geometric emphasis
- Geometric metal patterning over crystal saturation gives the Mayfair a unisex sculptural look.
- Finish
- Silver-tone finish on brass amplifies the pattern's contrast and legibility.
- Cultural symbolism
- The orb recontextualizes the Sovereign's Orb and ancient friezes into a punk symbol.
- Structural integrity
- Buyers report earrings breaking within months of normal wear.
- Plating wear
- Silver-tone plating wears off with moisture, exposing brass that can discolor skin.
- Value
- Many owners consider the brass construction overpriced at $175 given the failure rate.
- Tarnishing
- Buyers report tarnishing and green skin with regular use, especially from moisture.
- Durability
- Buyers report crystal loss, brass breakage, and plating wear as common failures; repairs are not available.
- Comfort
- Buyers report the brass earrings are lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear.
- Design appeal
- Design significance and subtle geometric styling appeal to those who prioritize aesthetics over durability.
- Punk heritage
- Vivienne Westwood's Mayfair orb emblem appropriates the Sovereign's Orb as a punk anti-establishment symbol.
- Sculptural design
- Geometric relief and sparse crystals give the Mayfair a masculine metal emblem look.
- Versatility
- Wearable across casual, date-night, and formal occasions without changing your outfit.
- Design style
- Geometry dominates over crystals for a sculptural, architectural look.
- Dimensions
- Squarer 2x2.5cm footprint offers substantial geometric presence.
- Moisture care
- Buyers advise removing earrings before water to avoid finish wear and green skin.
- Repairability
- Buyers report damaged earrings cannot be repaired and must be replaced.
Product record
- Title
- Mayfair Bas Relief Earrings
- Brand
- Vivienne Westwood
- Price
- 175 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Deep Research
What defines the Bas Relief collection
- Bas relief (low relief) is a sculptural method where the design projects slightly from its background; on the Mayfair earrings, this technique turns the iconic orb into a raised, contoured surface with tactile edges that create constantly shifting highlights — a contrast to the flat, polished orbs found on the brand's entry-level studs and a nod to the fine-art sensibilities that run through Vivienne Westwood's work.
- Within Vivienne Westwood’s Bas Relief family, 'Mayfair' identifies the model with a squarer footprint (2cm x 2.5cm) and the most pronounced geometric relief pattern, distinct from the smaller, rounder Mini Bas Relief that leans more crystal-heavy — meaning the Mayfair earring is the choice for someone who wants the orb to communicate through sculptural form rather than ornament.
- Vivienne Westwood’s orb jewelry spans from minimalist polished studs to fully crystal-encrusted luxury pieces; the Bas Relief collection occupies the middle ground as the ‘texture-first’ orb, and the Mayfair variant is its most graphic distillation — filling a niche for buyers who want the iconic shape without overt branding or excessive shimmer.
- The bas relief technique references the low-relief carving of ancient architectural friezes and numismatic art, tapping into Vivienne Westwood’s signature method of recontextualizing historical motifs; wearing the Mayfair earrings carries this subversive classicism, giving the accessory a cerebral edge beyond its punk surface.
- The silver-tone finish on brass creates a high-contrast interplay of light and shadow across the raised relief pattern, keeping the geometry visually legible even from a distance — a warmer gold tone would soften the definition, making the silver integral to the design’s industrial, graphic character.
- The Mayfair Bas Relief prioritizes geometric metal patterning over crystal saturation, using faceted studs and angular outlines to define the orb silhouette rather than relying on dense pavé — this makes the piece read more like a miniature metallic sculpture than a traditional sparkly earring, aligning with the unisex market positioning on Simons' men's designer category.
How these earrings wear on a man
- With fewer crystals and a more open, geometric pattern than the fully encrusted Mini Bas Relief, the Mayfair reads less like a decorative jewel and more like a crafted metal emblem — a design choice that aligns with a less-is-more masculine aesthetic and pairs cleanly with monochrome or structured outfits.
- Vivienne Westwood's orb logo is an appropriation of the British Crown Jewels' Sovereign's Orb, introduced during the 1980s punk era as a symbol of anti-establishment — when a man wears the Mayfair stud, he taps into that legacy of rebellion, giving the earring a cultural weight that far exceeds a simple logo.
- Tagged for party, date-night, and everyday occasions, the Mayfair is conceived to cross from casual to formal contexts without a wardrobe edit: the silver-tone finish and crystals provide enough refinement for evening events, while the compact size keeps it from overwhelming a simple t-shirt.
Image Analysis
1 images- 01
Product
Pair of silver-tone stud earrings shown flat on a white background; each earring depicts a textured orb topped by a cross and encircled by an angled ring with faceted surface details.
- Overall shapeTwo matching stud earrings, each composed of a central dome-shaped orb, an encircling horizontal ring, and a small cross mounted above the orb.
2 regions
x 0.12 · y 0.46 · w 0.32 · h 0.20 (high); x 0.56 · y 0.48 · w 0.30 · h 0.18 (high) - Surface textureMetallic surface with small raised geometric studs and faceted details across the orb and the ring, producing specular highlights.
2 regions
x 0.13 · y 0.50 · w 0.26 · h 0.12 (high); x 0.58 · y 0.50 · w 0.22 · h 0.12 (high) - Cross detailSmall Latin cross sits directly above each orb; the cross surfaces are faceted and reflect light similarly to the orb and ring.
2 regions
x 0.20 · y 0.42 · w 0.08 · h 0.06 (high); x 0.68 · y 0.43 · w 0.07 · h 0.06 (high) - Mounting / stud back (not visible)Earrings are presented face-up so the posts or backs are not visible in this view.
- Pair spacing and orientationLeft earring is positioned slightly higher and more left; right earring sits lower and more to the right, both oriented with rings horizontal and crosses upright.
Other
Product photographed on a plain light background with soft directional lighting creating faint shadows beneath each earring; image is centered with ample negative space.
- BackgroundSmooth off-white background filling the frame.
- Lighting and shadowSoft directional lighting from upper left produces subtle cast shadows to the lower right of each earring and small specular highlights on metal surfaces.
- Shot compositionFlat lay product shot showing both earring fronts with large margin of empty space around them.
- Image qualityHigh resolution with clear focus on earring surfaces and fine-detail textures.
Colors
polished silver· metal surfaces (orb, ring, cross)#BCBCBB- Overall shapeTwo matching stud earrings, each composed of a central dome-shaped orb, an encircling horizontal ring, and a small cross mounted above the orb.
Documents & Data
Customer Reviews
2 total2 reviews · out of 5
Bigger than I expected 😅
Yea they're bigger than I expected but that means better shine. Good weight, make my outfit shine even more. I love them ✨️
Vivienne Westwood earrings
Very fast . Wrapped so nice for my daughter’s bday. She loves it and the shipping service is excellent too. I will keep buying from you guys thanks
Q&A
7 answered- Does the silver-tone finish wear off over time, and if so, how quickly?
- Yes, the silver-tone finish can wear off over time, as the earrings are made from silver-tone brass hardware. Community feedback indicates that tarnishing and discoloration may occur with regular use, especially from moisture. The rate varies depending on care—some users report issues within months, while others experience minimal wear with careful handling.
- How heavy are the earrings? Are they comfortable for all-day wear?
- The earrings are lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear. They measure 0.75" (2 cm) in height and 1" (2.5 cm) in width, and being made of silver-tone brass and crystals, they are not heavy. Most users find them comfortable for extended periods.
- What repair options are available if the earring breaks or a crystal falls out?
- Repair options are limited. Community feedback indicates that because these are costume jewelry pieces with a brass base, many jewelry stores may refuse to solder or repair them, and breaks may be irreparable. Vivienne Westwood does not offer a standard repair service for this type of jewelry, so replacement is often the only option.
- How durable are these earrings for daily wear, and what are the most common points of failure based on customer experiences?
- Durability is a common concern. Community feedback indicates that these earrings are fragile and may break within a month of regular wear. The most common points of failure are the crystals falling out, the brass base breaking, and the silver-tone finish wearing off. They are best suited for occasional wear rather than daily use.
- Are Vivienne Westwood earrings worth the price?
- Generally no, due to cheap materials and fragility; only if you value the brand design and are willing to maintain them carefully.
- How do the Mayfair Bas Relief earrings differ from the Mini Bas Relief?
- The Mayfair has fewer crystals and more geometric patterns, while the Mini Bas Relief has more crystals.
- Do VW earrings tarnish or turn skin green?
- Results vary: some users report no issues with careful use, while others experience tarnishing and green skin from moisture and wear.
Reddit Insights
5 threads · r/jewelry, r/viviennewestwoodReddit users overwhelmingly criticize Vivienne Westwood earrings for poor quality and overpricing, despite loving the iconic designs, with only a few defenders noting they can last with extremely careful handling.
The majority of comments highlight fragility, tarnishing, and cheap materials for the price, though a few users have had positive experiences with proper care.
Themes
Use Cases
- Special occasion or occasional wear to avoid damage
Watch Out For
Compared To
vs Helmut Lang earrings
Both designer brands sell brass-based costume jewelry that can cause skin irritation and lack durability.
vs Sterling silver earrings from Etsy
Users recommend handmade sterling silver alternatives for better quality and longevity at a similar price.
Source Threads
VW earrings extremely fragile compared to cheap ones
I didn’t expect them to be tarnish-resistant or anything, but I also didn’t expect them to be THIS fragile. I’ve purchased $15 earrings in a subway station that lasted me years of everyday wear…
u/PrestigiousBadger607r/jewelryView thread →
VW earrings broke in a month, unrepairable
Do not buy there jewelry. Daughter bought earrings and only lasted about month abad half. Tried to take for repair and jewelry store can’t fix it. Said it’s just costume jewelry if they attempt to solder will melt jewelry. Lesson learned for my daughter waste of money.
u/dougevelyn2002r/jewelryView thread →
VW earrings overpriced for brass material
To be honest you can get MUCH better quality jewelry for so much less! I know it’s all about the brand but brass is just such a cheap material it always upsets me when I see designer brands selling jewelry for $$$ when it’s not even sterling silver!
u/PaleNewspaper3r/viviennewestwoodView thread →
VW earrings durable if worn carelessly by user
The earrings I have aren't on the website any longer except the candy earrings. I'll admit, I can be a bit lazy and leave the smaller ones on for days and wear them in the shower. Oops. 🫣 None have tarnished or turned green after many wears. If you're extra extra careful and not like me, you will definitely be fine. 👍🏼
u/sluttypockyr/viviennewestwoodView thread →
Mayfair Bas Relief vs Mini Bas Relief design differences
They’re two different designs. The mini bas relief design has more crystals, while the Maifair has less with geometric patterns. “Better” really depends on your preference.
u/ChicnahueCoatl1491r/viviennewestwoodView thread →