MADE-TO-ORDER, PRE-ORDER. IF IN STOCK, IT WILL SHIP OUT PROMPTLY, BUT IF NOT, WE WILL SHIP ONCE IT'S MADE IN AN ESTIMATED TWO WEEKS.

These pearl earrings demonstrate that sometimes beauty is found in simplicity. 

They showcase two hand-carved, square, mid-century pearl buttons made from Mississippi River mussel shells by the American Pearl Button Company of Washington, of Iowa.

In the early 19th century, exploding boilers were common on Mississippi Riverboats. In 1965, a damaged boiler on the Sultana exploded just north of Memphis, killing more than a thousand recently released Union Army POWs. We named these earrings in honor of those lost in US maritime history's most significant tragedy.

In this piece:

• Two hand-carved Lady Washington mother-of-pearl buttons, made from Mississippi River mussel shells, circa 1950-1960
• Silver-plated brass filigree stampings made today in the USA in vintage dies
• Lead-free, silver-plated brass euro wire closures
• Hangs 2”