Once fairly discreet, Bluetooth earbuds have changed their status. Now worn with pride, they are on show, personalized and become style markers, without compromising on sound quality. In this spirit, a new generation of open Bluetooth earbuds is making its appearance: lighter, less intrusive, but also more elegant, with designs inspired by clip-style ear jewelry.
Why are they called jewel earbuds?
They’re so called because their appearance is reminiscent of ear jewelry. Unlike traditional earbuds, which can be very visible, these take the form of an elegant clip that adorns the ear like an earring or ear cuff. The idea is that, in addition to being an audio object, Bluetooth earbuds become a stylish accessory: they’re proudly displayed, like a little technological jewel.
First jewel earbud concepts
Before the big hi-fi brands, a German start-up laid the foundations for what we now call jewel earbuds. In 2020, Nova Products unveiled the Nova H1, audio earrings adorned with pearls, integrating transducers and Bluetooth. Here, sound was directed to the ear without intrusive ear tips. The project was then relaunched under the name IceBach, without reaching mass market. But the idea was there: a Bluetooth earbud where technology takes a back seat to adornment.
The Nova H1s discreetly integrate Bluetooth transducers in pearls. A first fusion of authentic jewelry and wearable audio technology. These first jewel earbuds didn’t make it to market, but they did lay the foundations for this trend.
The clip format, the figurehead of jewel earbuds
Today, the ear clip format symbolizes this new approach. Neither in-ear nor over-the-ear, this Bluetooth earbud clips onto the pinna like an ear ring. It leaves the ear canal free, while providing a comfortable fit.
Several brands such as JVC and Bose have jumped on this trend, with ultra-light models that are particularly attractive and stable. The goal: to offer clear sound without isolation and a fit that’s so natural you forget you’re wearing earbuds.
Bose and Motorola: when audio is combined with jewelry
Some brands have gone further, fully embracing the jewelry aesthetic through collaborations with industry brands. Motorola recently launched the Moto Buds Loop, open clip earbuds, one finish of which was developed with Swarovski. Gilding, glittering crystals and a design reminiscent of an earring: these earphones have a jewel-like allure, while incorporating Bose audio technology.
For its part, in October 2025 Bose unveiled a groundbreaking collaboration with jewelry designer Kendra Scott. This limited edition of the Ultra Open Earbuds, reserved for the US market, features pearlescent finishes, gold accents and a design conceived to match other jewelry. The object retains the technical strengths of the original model (comfort, spatialization, open fit), but adopts a much more assertive visual style.
This is the first time that Bose has co-branded a model with a jewelry creator: a strong sign that portable audio is now entering the world of fashion accessories.
Our selection of jewelry earbuds
Refined, discreet design and long-lasting comfort: these five models illustrate the evolution of portable audio towards a more beautiful and, above all, more discreet everyday listening experience.
JVC HA-NP1T
The JVC HA-NP1T feature a discreet, ultra-light design: just 4.8g per bud, for all-day comfort. Sound is clear, with good voice reproduction, ideal for calls, videos or podcasts. A physical “mute” button adds a real plus in professional situations. The JVC app lets you adjust equalization, customize controls and activate mono mode. Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint compatible, these earbuds offer up to 24h of battery life with the case. A reliable, elegant option for those who want simplicity without sacrificing style.
Bose Ultra Open
True technological jewels, the Bose Ultra Open embody the very best in the new generation of open earbuds. Featuring a flexible, clip system, they fit snugly around the ear without blocking it, offering an unparalleled sense of sonic freedom. Their exclusive Bose Immersive Audio technology creates a perfectly spatialized, enveloping soundstage, while leaving the user fully aware of their surroundings. With their featherweight (13.7g), Bluetooth multipoint compatibility and IPX4 resistance, they combine elegance, innovation and total comfort. A model made for discerning audiophiles.
Soundcore AeroClip
The Soundcore AeroClip have a ring-shaped design. Their titanium structure ensures a good fit, while offering an assertive style. As for sound, a 12mm driver provides more bass than usual for this type of open format, with four integrated microphones and ambient noise canceling for clear calls. Battery life reaches 8h (plus 24h with the case), and the Soundcore app lets you adjust equalization, touch controls and sound profiles.
Beyerdynamic Amiron Zero
With their open, minimalist design, Beyerdynamic Amiron Zero are discreet. Each earbud clips onto the ear via a flexible, lightweight, stable hoop for optimum comfort. Reagrding sound, Beyerdynamic applies its high-fidelity expertise: the soundstage is wide, the reproduction clear and balanced, with an emphasis on vocals and accurate timbre. Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint compatibility, with support for aptX Adaptive and AAC codecs, ensures smooth, latency-free playback, even for videos. The MIY app lets you adapt the sound profile to your hearing. They boast a maximum battery life of 30h with the case.
Shokz OpenDots ONE
With their compact design, the Shokz OpenDots ONE inaugurate a new range of open air conduction earbuds for the brand. Each jewel earbud weighs just 8.7g and is IP54-rated, making them sweat and splash resistant, ideal for active listening sessions outdoors or during sporting activities. Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint technology ensures a smooth connection to two devices, while battery life lasts up to 9 hours (and 35 hours with the case). The Shokz app lets you customize touch controls, adjust sound equalization and update the firmware of these Shokz OpenDots ONE Bluetooth earbuds.
And what about hearing aids?
This fusion of audio and jewelry is not limited to earbuds. It is also making its way into the medical sector. In 2017, French brand GrandAudition launched EORA, a range of hearing aids concealed in genuine gold earrings. Each model features an in-ear amplifier housed in an earring.
The goal was clear: to offer an elegant and empowering alternative to traditional hearing aids, which are often perceived as medical devices and can sometimes stigmatize the user. Although the initiative remained confidential and was not followed up on a large scale, it did have the merit of paving the way for hearing aids to be worn with pride, combining aesthetics and inclusion.
Jewel-like open earbuds mark a turning point: they no longer simply perform well, they are visible and bold. These models, with their discreet clips or hoops, blur the lines between technology and accessory, between utility and style. Designed to be worn all day long, they focus on comfort without ever compromising on appearance. Like jewelry, they are chosen as much for their sound quality as for their appearance.
Jewel earbuds – FAQ
Yes, thanks to their open design, they don’t exert pressure on the ear and remain very comfortable over time.
Absolutely, these earbuds leave the ear canal unblocked, so you can still hear outside sounds. This makes it possible to hear traffic, conversations or announcements while enjoying your music, which is ideal for safety in the city or when cycling.
Sound is directed towards the ears to minimize sound leakage. In practice, at moderate volume levels, people around you can hardly hear anything, even in the immediate vicinity. However, if the volume is pushed to its maximum in a very quiet environment, sound may become perceptible to others.
Yes, technical advances have made it possible to deliver rich, balanced sound. Of course, the bass reproduction remains a little less punchy than with perfectly sealed earbuds, but the musical experience is entirely satisfactory.
Some models offer immersive sound thanks to audio spatialization technologies.
Yes, they’re particularly well-suited to voice content such as podcasts, audiobooks or videos. Voices are clear and well rendered.
Battery life varies from model to model, but the earbuds themselves provide an average of 5 to 10 hours of continuous listening per charge. Thanks to the included charging case, total autonomy can be increased: the case generally provides 2 to 4 additional recharges.
Yes, the majority of these earbuds are at least IPX4 certified, guaranteeing resistance to water splashes, sweat and light rain.
Yes, these earbuds are specially designed for sports activities. Their ear clip design offers remarkable stability: they clip around the auricle and stay in place even when you move around a lot.
In principle, yes, these earbuds have a universal design that adapts to most ear shapes, ensuring comfort even over long periods. The area where they attach is clear of spectacle arms and hats, so they do not get in the way.
The main difference is the way they are worn: open earbuds sit at the entrance to the ear instead of in the ear canal. As a result, they don’t isolate you from outside noise at all, and you don’t have a blocked ear. This means no passive isolation or active noise cancellation, but rather awareness of your surroundings.
Although they both leave the ear free, they use different methods to transmit sound. Open earbuds transmit sound by air conduction: a transducer directs sound waves to your ear, just like a conventional in-ear earphone (but without blocking the canal). Bone-conduction headphones, on the other hand, convert sound into vibrations, which are sent through the bones of your skull and then perceived by the inner ear.
These earbuds can be used in noisy environments, but it’s important to bear in mind that they don’t provide sound isolation. In a crowded train or busy street, it will be possible to hear both the music and the surrounding noise.
