Vivienne Westwood
Signature Orb Earring
The Signature Orb Earring by Vivienne Westwood is a single pierced earring featuring the brand's iconic orb motif, embellished with crystals and a pearlescent teardrop bead. It is made of brass with crystal and pearlescent bead accents, measures 36 mm in length, and closes with a push back for pierced ears. Customer reviews indicate that the earring is delicate and may break or tarnish with regular wear, making it best suited for occasional use.
- Material
- Brass, crystal and pearlescent beads
- Gender
- unisex
- Style
- punk, edgy, glam
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Jewelry > Earrings
Specifications
Single earring featuring Vivienne Westwood's iconic orb motif, adorned with crystals and pearlescent beads for a baroque punk aesthetic.
Push back closure, brass construction, crystal and pearlescent bead embellishments, length 36 mm.
- Material
- Brass, crystal and pearlescent beads
- Style
- punk, edgy, glam
- Occasion
- party, concert, date-night
- Gender
- unisex
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Jewelry > Earrings
Additional Attributes
- Single earring (sold individually)
- Iconic orb motif
- Crystal embellishments
- Pearlescent beads
- Brass construction
- Push back closure
- Length 36 mm
- Baroque punk style
- Vivienne Westwood design
Product Insights
The Vivienne Westwood Signature Orb Earring ($150, sold singly) is a deliberate punk statement: its brass, crystals, and glass beads—including glass-based pearls—reflect an intentional material philosophy and sustainability choice, not cost cutting. The orb motif, born from 1980s punk, merges a royal orb with Saturn's rings, carrying cultural symbolism of rebellion, queer identity, and gender subversion. However, the earring's durability is limited: it typically breaks or tarnishes within weeks to months, cannot be repaired, and is sensitive to water and perfume, leading buyers to report poor value. The pricing ($150 for one, $300 for a pair) is comparable to durable sterling alternatives, but the brand's orb logo and punk heritage justify the cost for design-conscious buyers who prioritize statement styling and cultural meaning over longevity.
Verified claims
- Durability
- Buyers frequently report the earring tarnishes or breaks within weeks to months of wear.
- Value
- Buyers report earring as poor value due to short lifespan.
- Material philosophy
- Brass, crystals, and glass beads are intentional punk statements, not cost-saving measures.
- Sustainability
- Glass-based pearls are a conscious sustainability choice, not imitation downgrades.
- Orb origin
- Orb motif, born from 1980s punk, merges royal orb with Saturn's rings.
- Statement styling
- Sold as a single earring for an intentional asymmetrical statement.
- Cultural meaning
- Carries punk and queer symbolism; orb with Saturn ring functions as a personal talisman.
- Pricing
- Sold singly at $150; a pair costs $300—comparable to durable sterling alternatives.
- Brand heritage
- The orb was recognized early as Vivienne Westwood's logo because it reflected her idea of taking tradition into the future, and the motif debuted in the 1987-88 Harris Tweed collection.
- Liquid sensitivity
- The earring is best suited for occasional wear and should be kept away from water and perfume to maintain its appearance.
- Materials
- Crystals and glass beads are simulated; brass may turn skin green.
- Design
- Orb design merges punk rebellion, royal tradition, and gender subversion.
- Material authenticity
- The crystals and pearlescent beads are simulated glass/crystal materials, not real gemstones.
- Drop length
- The earring has a 36 mm drop, sized to read as a complete statement piece when worn alone.
Product record
- Title
- Signature Orb Earring
- Brand
- Vivienne Westwood
- Price
- 150 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Image Analysis
1 images- 01
Product
Single dangling silver-tone earring photographed front-on showing a round top stud with clear stone, a small cross and orb motif with pavé crystals, and a hanging cream teardrop pearl.
- Top studCircular bezel-set clear faceted stone in a silver-tone metal setting forming the earring stud.
1 region
x 0.46 · y 0.14 · w 0.08 · h 0.08 (high) - Stud textural detailFaceted clear stone shows multiple reflective facets and a bright highlight at its center.
1 region
x 0.46 · y 0.14 · w 0.08 · h 0.08 (medium) - Connector and crossShort chain link connects to a small symmetrical cross element in silver-tone metal with a tiny clear stone at its center.
1 region
x 0.46 · y 0.22 · w 0.08 · h 0.09 (high) - Orb ringHorizontal ring element resembling an orb band in polished silver-tone metal encircles a vertical column; the ring edge is flat and reflective.
1 region
x 0.41 · y 0.32 · w 0.18 · h 0.08 (high) - Pavé crystals on columnVertical narrow column above the ring is set with multiple small clear pavé crystals on its front face.
1 region
x 0.48 · y 0.29 · w 0.06 · h 0.12 (high) - Dangling teardrop pearlSingle teardrop-shaped cream-colored pearl pendant hangs from the center below the orb, with a small silver-tone cap and jump ring.
1 region
x 0.46 · y 0.46 · w 0.08 · h 0.18 (high) - Metal finishAll visible metal components have a reflective polished silver-tone finish with specular highlights.
Other
Single product centered on a plain white background with a soft shadow cast to the right and below; image is vertically oriented and well lit.
- Shot compositionEarring centered horizontally and positioned in the upper middle of the frame with generous white space around.
- BackgroundEven matte white background with no visible textures or props.
- ShadowSoft diffused shadow of the earring extends to the right and slightly down, visible beside the orb ring and pearl pendant.
1 region
x 0.55 · y 0.30 · w 0.22 · h 0.40 (medium) - Lighting qualityDirectional lighting creating clear highlights on metal and pearl surfaces and soft shadows.
Colors
polished silver· metal components#BBB4ACclear crystal· clear stones and pavé crystalscream pearl· teardrop pearl pendant- Top studCircular bezel-set clear faceted stone in a silver-tone metal setting forming the earring stud.
Documents & Data
Reddit Insights
3 threads · r/jewelry, r/viviennewestwoodReddit users largely criticize Vivienne Westwood earrings as overpriced, fragile costume jewelry with poor materials, though a minority find them acceptable with careful handling.
High volume of complaints about breakage within weeks, tarnishing, and fake pearls; tempered by users who manage expectations and note they can last with proper care.
Themes
Use Cases
- Fashion accessory for occasional wear, not suitable for daily use or exposure to moisture
Watch Out For
Compared To
vs Cheaper no-name earrings
Users report $15 earrings lasting years, while VW earrings break within a month.
vs Handmade sterling silver earrings on Etsy
Suggested as longer-lasting and better-value alternatives.
Source Threads
Earrings broke after one month of light wear
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 →
Daughter's earrings failed quickly and were irreparable
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 →
Frequent buyer says quality is acceptable if handled with care
Ive had about 20 pairs and many other pieces , they are custom jewelry not gold or anything special, if you take care of them and dont get them wet or spray then with perfume you should be ok . The quality is not terrible actually pretty ok for them to not be made of precious metals.
u/Ger713r/viviennewestwoodView thread →