Vivienne Westwood
Mini Bas Relief Earrings
The Vivienne Westwood Mini Bas Relief Earrings are a pair of stud earrings featuring the brand's iconic orb design, set with pavé Swarovski crystals on a polished brass base. They are secured with a push-back closure for pierced ears and measure 17 mm in length. Constructed from brass and Swarovski crystal, these earrings are suitable for everyday wear.
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Jewelry > Earrings
Color
Size
Specifications
- Material
- Brass, swarovski crystal
- Gender
- female
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Jewelry > Earrings
Product Insights
Vivienne Westwood’s Mini Bas Relief Earrings at 185 CAD, in stock, in the silver-tone and Golden Yellow colourways are brass earrings with gold-tone or silver-tone plating and flush-inlaid precision-cut Swarovski crystals, built around the orb motif that fuses the Sovereign’s Orb with a Saturn ring, first introduced in Fall/Winter 1987 as a pendant after beginning as a knitted jumper Westwood imagined Prince Charles wearing off duty, and read as punk subversion of upper-class Britishness; the orb is cast in sculptural bas-relief on brass rather than stamped flat, preserving depth and fine detail, with closely packed crystals forming one continuous shimmering surface and no raised stones to snag hair or scarves, while the flat, flush-set 17 mm by 27 mm oblong face sits as a horizontal disc across the lobe and shows its full 2.7 cm width straight-on but a thin profile from the side. The core promise is iconic design, sculptural detail, and gifting appeal for birthdays and special occasions; the main tradeoff is longevity and wearability: plated brass is not inherently tarnish-resistant, the coating wears with chemical exposure, nickel in brass may trigger allergic reactions if plating wears, the 6.9 g per earring weight and push-back closure specified for studs under 3 g make them better for an evening than a full workday, and the wide span can look awkward on smaller ears and faces. Brass pieces are genuine without a hallmark, only 925 silver lines carry Assay Office marks, so authentication follows the brass tier, and similar-priced sterling silver exists, meaning buyers trade material longevity for the Westwood orb.
Verified claims
- Punk symbolism
- The orb entered Westwood's Fall/Winter 1987 collection as a subversion of upper-class Britishness.
- Design
- The orb motif fuses the Sovereign's Orb with a Saturn ring, first introduced as a pendant in 1987.
- Origin
- The orb began as a knitted jumper Westwood imagined Prince Charles wearing off duty.
- Casting
- The orb is cast in sculptural relief on brass rather than stamped flat like a logo badge.
- Hallmark
- Brass pieces are genuine without a hallmark; only the 925 silver lines carry Assay Office marks.
- Comfort
- At 6.9 g per earring, they sit at the top of the all-day wear range — fine for a few hours, not a full day.
- Closure
- The push-back closure is specified for studs under 3 g, well below this 6.9 g load.
- Flat profile
- Flat, flush-set profile that does not snag on hair or scarves, though the 2.7 cm face reads wide.
- Tarnish resistance
- Plated brass is not inherently tarnish-resistant; the coating wears with chemical exposure, so handle with care.
- Dimensions
- Mini Bas Relief earrings: 17 mm long, 27 mm wide, oblong shape.
- Earlobe fit
- The orb is wider than it is tall, so it sits as a horizontal disc across the lobe.
- Side visibility
- Straight-on it shows the full 2.7 cm face; from the side it is a thin flush disc.
- Face proportion
- Buyers report the wide span can look awkward on smaller ears and faces.
- Construction
- The orb is cast in brass as a bas-relief, not stamped flat, so it keeps sculptural depth and fine detail.
- Pavé sparkle
- Closely packed Swarovski crystals read as one continuous, evenly shimmering surface rather than separate points of light.
- Nickel safety
- Nickel in brass may trigger allergic reactions if plating wears.
- Plating
- Both colourways are plated brass — the colour is the plating, not the metal.
- Material
- Brass base with gold-tone or silver-tone plating, inlaid with precision-cut Swarovski crystal
- Price vs alternatives
- At 185 CAD, the earrings trade material longevity for iconic design; similar-priced sterling silver exists
- Inlay
- Crystals are inlaid flush into the brass, leaving no raised stones to snag on hair or scarves.
- Finish
- Silver and Golden Yellow both cost 185 CAD; the gold finish is gold-tone plating over the same brass.
- Gifting
- Buyers report it lands as a gift for birthdays and special occasions.
- Wear duration
- At 6.9 g, comfortable for an evening but a strain across a full workday.
- Authentication
- Brass-based Vivienne Westwood is genuine without a UK hallmark; only sterling is stamped.
- Authenticity
- Both colourways are brass-tier, genuine without an Assay Office hallmark
Product record
- Title
- Mini Bas Relief Earrings
- Brand
- Vivienne Westwood
- Price
- 185 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
- Rating
- 6 reviews
Buying Guide
1 comparison · 13 sourcesUses
Adding an elegant touch to everyday outfits
These Vivienne Westwood studs feature the brand's iconic orb inlaid with crystals, and the merchant describes them as a delicate piece that adds an elegant touch to everyday outfits. They can be worn on their own, worked into a stack, or paired with matching pieces from the brand for a coordinated look.[2,3]
A giftable pair for birthdays and special occasions
These Vivienne Westwood Mini Bas Relief Earrings are described by customers as a hit when given as a gift for a birthday or other special occasion. Reviewers highlight the signature orb design as beautiful, impressive, and matching the online imagery. Fast delivery is also reported to meet expectations when shopping for a gift.[2]
A bold statement earring for a night out
The wide, eye-catching orb design makes these a standout statement earring, and some wearers say they comfortably wear them for hours. Reviews note the look divides opinion: the wide shape can feel overly large or look awkward on smaller faces and ears, which matters if you prefer subtle jewelry.[2]
A statement stud for dinners and parties
These Vivienne Westwood planet-orb stud earrings are a pick for short occasions like a dinner date or party, where reviewers describe them as beautiful and comfortable for a few hours. They have a push back closure for pierced ears. Keep in mind that wearability splits opinion: some reviewers wear them comfortably for hours, while others find the weight heavy enough to cause ear fatigue during longer, continuous wear.[2,4]
Product comparison
Compared within this brand.
| Mini Bas Relief Earrings: Choose this if you want Vivienne Westwood's iconic orb as a standout statement piece — the brass stud earrings are inlaid with pavé-set Swarovski crystals, measure 17 mm in length, and fasten with a push back for pierced ears, in a Silver or Golden Yellow one-size option. Customer reviews suggest they shine as a gift or for short occasions like a dinner or party, and the design reportedly matches online imagery exactly. Note that some reviewers find them heavier than expected, with ear fatigue after several hours, and the wide shape can look disproportionate on smaller ears or faces or for those preferring subtle jewellery.[1,2,5] | Nano Solitare Earrings: Choose this if you want a pair of small, delicate stud earrings with Vivienne Westwood's iconic orb motif — each has a flattened oval ring in a polished silver-tone finish with a central round faceted stone, and the retailer says the brass-and-crystal design adds an elegant touch to everyday outfits. At roughly 12 mm wide and 1.5 grams, with a push back closure for pierced ears, they suit minimal daily wear, and they come in Silver or Golden Yellow one-size options with a box and signature dust bag included for gifting. Note that one online commenter believes the Nano style's prongs are decorative and its stones glued in, though that is an unverified impression.[6,7,8,9] | Solid Orb Earrings: Choose this if you want Vivienne Westwood's iconic orb stud design in a gold or silver finish, with a polished, planet-with-ring silhouette and a push-back closure for pierced ears. Reviewers describe the design as elegant and note the earrings feel light enough for extended wear at workdays or formal events, and one wearer reports they feel more solid than they look. They're made of brass and come with a box and signature dust bag, though one reviewer felt the delivery packaging fell short of luxury expectations for a designer product.[10,11,12,13] |
Image Analysis
2 images- 01
Product
A pair of silver-tone bas relief earrings shown face-on; each earring is an orb with an outer horizontal ring and a small cross-shaped stud above, decorated with many small clear stones.
- Overall shapeEach earring has a horizontally oriented oval ring surrounding a textured domed orb; a small cross-shaped stud sits directly above the orb and connects the earring to the post.
2 regions
x 0.12 · y 0.40 · w 0.35 · h 0.22 (high); x 0.53 · y 0.40 · w 0.35 · h 0.22 (high) - Decorative surfaceSurfaces of the orb, ring interior, and cross stud are densely set with small faceted clear stones creating a pavé effect; stones follow curved panels on the dome and a single circular stone is visible at the dome front.
2 regions
x 0.16 · y 0.43 · w 0.30 · h 0.16 (high); x 0.57 · y 0.43 · w 0.30 · h 0.16 (high) - Metal finishMetal framework and edges appear polished and reflective with a bright silver-tone finish forming the outer ring, rim details, and cross outline.
2 regions
x 0.12 · y 0.40 · w 0.35 · h 0.22 (high); x 0.53 · y 0.40 · w 0.35 · h 0.22 (high) - Attachment/post areaSmall cross-shaped top element includes a central round stone and serves as the visible front of the post attachment; backs and posts are not visible.
2 regions
x 0.21 · y 0.33 · w 0.08 · h 0.06 (medium); x 0.68 · y 0.33 · w 0.08 · h 0.06 (medium)
Other
Studio shot on a plain white background with soft even lighting and faint shadows beneath each earring. Both earrings are centered horizontally and shown at the same frontal orientation.
- Background and lightingUniform white background with diffuse lighting; soft shadows fall beneath each earring indicating light from above.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (high) - Image compositionTwo earrings arranged side-by-side with even spacing; image is cropped with generous white space above and below the pair.
1 region
x 0.05 · y 0.20 · w 0.90 · h 0.60 (high) - Shadows and reflectionsFaint soft shadows and small specular highlights are visible on the metal surfaces, consistent with studio lighting and reflective finish.
Colors
polished silver· metal framework and ring#CDCEC9clear/white rhinestone· decorative stones#D4D3C4- Overall shapeEach earring has a horizontally oriented oval ring surrounding a textured domed orb; a small cross-shaped stud sits directly above the orb and connects the earring to the post.
- 02
Product
Close-up of two metal planet-orb motif stud earrings with concentric ring detail and multiple small faceted clear stones. Right earring is fully visible and foregrounded; left earring is partially visible at left edge.
- Overall shapeOrb/planet silhouette composed of a domed central sphere with an encircling flattened ring tilted diagonally and a small cross-like finial above the sphere.
2 regions
x 0.55 · y 0.45 · w 0.38 · h 0.40 (high); x 0.00 · y 0.56 · w 0.38 · h 0.36 (medium) - Metal finishHighly reflective polished silver-metal finish on all visible structural surfaces including ring, sphere, and finial.
1 region
x 0.52 · y 0.46 · w 0.36 · h 0.34 (high) - Pavé crystal detailingMany small round faceted clear stones set in rows across the ring edge and in triangular panels on the dome, creating a pavé pattern.
2 regions
x 0.60 · y 0.52 · w 0.28 · h 0.24 (high); x 0.08 · y 0.60 · w 0.30 · h 0.28 (medium) - Top finial detailSmall cross-like decorative finial mounted above the dome; the finial has a central round stone and squared petal-like lobes.
1 region
x 0.66 · y 0.30 · w 0.12 · h 0.14 (high) - Earring backs and postsButterfly-style clutch backs and short posts are partially visible behind the right earring, indicating stud construction.Partial
1 region
x 0.74 · y 0.56 · w 0.10 · h 0.12 (medium)
Other
Studio product shot on a clean white background with soft shadows beneath the earrings; image crops the left earring partially and centers the right earring. Lighting is diffuse and highlights metallic reflections.
- Background and surfaceSmooth white background and surface with soft gray cast shadow under each earring.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (high) - Shot compositionClose-up detail shot framing both earrings near the lower half of the image with substantial negative space above.
- Shadows and reflectionsSoft diffuse shadows and subtle specular highlights on metal surfaces indicating studio lighting from above-left.Partial
1 region
x 0.48 · y 0.68 · w 0.38 · h 0.18 (medium)
Colors
polished silver· metal surfaces#C4C4BBclear crystal· faceted stones#CDCEC9- Overall shapeOrb/planet silhouette composed of a domed central sphere with an encircling flattened ring tilted diagonally and a small cross-like finial above the sphere.
Customer Reviews
6 total6 reviews · out of 5
So pretty!
These are beautiful earrings and very comfortable to wear for hours.
Larger than expected
These earrings are very pretty but are very wide, making them look a bit awkward on my ears.
Great gift!
It was a hit for my daughter and delivery was faster than expected. Exactly as shown.
Beautiful
I love it but they are heavy on the ear
LOVE THEM
LOVE THEM
Beautiful but overpriced
Beautiful but overpriced
Reddit Insights
3 threads · r/viviennewestwoodRedditors have mixed feelings about Vivienne Westwood earrings, praising the iconic design but criticizing the use of brass and plating that can tarnish, with some reporting no issues when properly cared for.
While some users find the earrings durable and stylish, others feel they are overpriced for the materials, leading to a cautious overall sentiment leaning slightly negative.
Themes
Use Cases
- Fashion earrings for special occasions
- Everyday wear with precautions
- Collectible brand pieces
Watch Out For
Compared To
vs Sterling silver earrings from independent makers (e.g., Etsy)
Better quality and durability for similar or lower price, but without the brand name.
vs Helmut Lang earrings
Similar issue with plated brass causing skin discoloration.
vs Mayfair Bas Relief earrings
Mayfair has fewer crystals and geometric patterns vs Mini Bas Relief's more crystals.
Source Threads
User reports no tarnishing on VW earrings even with rough use
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.
u/sluttypockyr/viviennewestwoodView thread →
Comparison between Mini Bas Relief and Mayfair designs
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 →