Mosaic

A diamond silhouette of deep, magnetic blue — where the intensity of International Klein Blue meets the ancient language of Chinese underglaze ceramics. Each piece in this openwork mosaic is individually hand-pinched from zisha clay, painted with cobalt-blue underglaze by brush, then sealed beneath a transparent glaze and fired at 1240°C. The gaps between the ceramic tiles are deliberately left open — negative space that lets light pass through, turning the earring itself into a miniature stained-glass window you can wear.

This is not applied color. The Klein Blue is fired beneath the glaze — suspended between clay body and glassy surface, locked in place by the kiln's heat, where it will remain vivid and unfading for centuries.

Key Features

• Klein Blue Underglaze — Cobalt-blue pigment hand-painted directly on the zisha clay body, then sealed under transparent glaze and fired at 1240°C. The color lives beneath the surface — vivid, permanent, and fade-resistant.
• Openwork Mosaic Construction — Individual ceramic tiles are hand-pinched and joined with clay slip, leaving deliberate voids between them. Light passes through the negative space, giving the piece an airy, architectural quality despite its bold color.
• Zisha Clay Body — The raw foundation is yixing zisha clay, prized for its natural porosity and earthy warmth. Fired unglazed on the tile edges, it reveals the clay's honest texture — a quiet counterpoint to the saturated blue faces.
• Diamond Silhouette — The overall rhombus geometry creates a bold, graphic frame. Angular yet wearable, it draws the eye without overwhelming.
• Soft Silicone + Surgical Steel Posts — Hypoallergenic ear posts with soft silicone backs ensure comfortable, secure all-day wear — gentle even on sensitive ears. 

Materials & Specs 

Technique Heritage

• Underglaze Painting - The Klein Blue in these earrings is not a surface coating — it is an underglaze, painted directly onto the raw clay before any glaze is applied. Cobalt-based pigment is brushed onto the shaped zisha body, then the entire piece is dipped in transparent glaze and fired at 1240°C in a single kiln cycle. At this temperature, the transparent glaze melts into a glassy layer that seals the pigment beneath it. The color becomes integral to the ceramic body — encased in glass, immune to light, wear, and time. This is the same fundamental process that has produced Chinese blue-and-white porcelain since the Tang Dynasty, though here the cobalt blue is not pattern but saturation — the entire surface becomes color.
• The "Klein Blue" reference is no coincidence. In 1960, French artist Yves Klein patented International Klein Blue (IKB) — a synthetic ultramarine of extraordinary depth and saturation. What Klein achieved chemically, Chinese ceramists achieved centuries earlier through fire: the Ji Blue Glaze of the Ming Dynasty, a cobalt-saturated monochrome, is often described as "the Klein Blue of 500 years ago."
• Zisha Hand-Building & Clay Joining - Each ceramic tile in the mosaic is formed by hand — pinched, shaped, and refined without molds or wheels. The tiles are then joined using the traditional "score and slip" method: mating edges are scratched to create texture, and liquid clay slip is applied as adhesive before the pieces are pressed together. This bond fuses permanently during firing, becoming as strong as the clay itself. The technique demands precision — alignment must be perfect before the clay dries, and the gaps between tiles must be calculated to maintain structural integrity while achieving the desired openwork effect.
• Openwork Mosaic Structure - Unlike carved openwork, where negative space is cut from a solid body, this mosaic achieves its voids through construction rather than subtraction. Individual tiles are positioned with calculated gaps between them — the empty spaces are designed into the structure from the beginning. The result is a latticed diamond that breathes: light passes through, shadows shift with movement, and the piece carries visual weight without physical heaviness. The technique draws from both Chinese architectural lattice traditions and the modern mosaic principle — assembling a whole from discrete, deliberately spaced fragments.

Care

• Remove before showering, swimming, or sleeping
• Avoid contact with perfume, sunscreen, or harsh chemicals
• Store separately to prevent scratching
• Handle gently — the openwork structure is durable but should not be bent or crushed
• Clean with a soft, dry cloth