In JCK’s October issue, a photo of a blond-haired Russian beauty can be seen in coral and diamond chandelier earrings of satellite proportions. While the pair, made by New York City–based Alexandra Mor, was indeed pretty, and the model’s slender neck served as an ideal backdrop for the earrings, what readers didn’t see was the behind-the-scenes stress: Those earrings were heavy! Staffers present during the photo shoot (myself included) watched as the model’s tender lobes sank low with the weight of red carpet–worthy—though completely impractical—gold, diamond, and coral anchors.

“Live and learn,” says Mor today of the pair she recently dismantled and converted into a lighter look. “They were my first red carpet–looking piece. When I made them for my collection, I didn’t take size into consideration; I made them for sake of design.”

Though it was a client request that initially inspired Mor to make those massive chandeliers, feedback about the weight persuaded her to scale them down into something more wearable. The original pair featured 26 pieces of varying sizes and shades of reddish pink to grapefruit-red coral, cut into pear shapes; the new earrings have just 10 corals, also graduating in size in a single line drop earring measuring 17.5 cm or nearly 7 inches in size.

“They are still a red carpet piece, but are a little less in-your-face,” says Mor, adding that buyer feedback now is even more positive. “These still carry the same story and elements, in a graduation of coral colors.” Set in 18k white gold with 4.23 cts. t.w. diamonds and her signature 1 mm knife-edge styling, the earrings are price upon request.

With the remaining 16 stones, she’ll make a ring, among other pieces. Currently, online outlet 1stdibs.com is the only merchant to sell Mor’s body of work, which is replete with plenty of everyday diamond styles as well as showstoppers.

A redesigned pair of drop earrings in 18k gold have 10 pieces of pear-shape coral and 4.23 cts. t.w. diamonds; price upon request

The original pair of chandelier earrings were heavy, containing 26 pieces of coral.

JCK