CodebyEdge Unveils a New Generation of Lightweight Hoop Earrings Inspired by Sade

By Karen Dybis | January 21, 2025

For years, hoop earrings have served as Sade’s signature, and now an even lighter version of the “Smooth Operator” singer’s hoops are available to all, with personalization options, from her jewelry partner, codebyEdge.

CodebyEdge founder and creative director Donald Edge says his new Sade earrings meet his exacting standards for jewelry design and follow Sade’s advice on how much weight a proper hoop earring should have.

Sade commissioned diamond hoops from Edge to wear for her world tour in 2011. “The original earrings I made for Sade were mounted in 18k white gold and designed to be as light as possible,” Edge says. “However, with advancements in technology, we are able to push the boundaries of comfort and innovation by using titanium—a notoriously challenging material for fine jewelry mounting—and are able to reduce the weight of the earrings by approximately 70%.”

Sade Gold Hoop CodebyEdge — *Paying tribute to the relationship between jeweler Donald Edge and his muse, the Sade Hoop Earrings can be customized for each wearer.*

Sade Hoop Earrings come in two sizes: the Iconic’s 65 mm diameter with a 3 mm width and the Fine’s 60 mm diameter/2 mm wide. Price varies according to the type of gem (natural or lab-grown diamonds or colored stones) and metal (platinum and recycled gold are available in addition to titanium).

“These earrings are crafted with the wearer in mind, ensuring maximum comfort without compromising on elegance,” Edge says. “We can also code hidden messages within each hoop using either Morse or binary code, making them a truly unique design, and one that I hope resonates with the same timeless appeal Sade’s hoops have always represented.”

While Sade was not directly involved in the production of these pieces, her influence with the style—women of all ages and cultures embraced hoops after seeing them on Sade—was a key inspiration to Edge for revisiting and refining this earring.

“Sade made hoops feel effortless, chic, and powerful, and that resonated universally,” he says. “Her look transcended fashion trends—it became iconic. When you see a style consistently celebrated across decades and demographics, you know it’s something special. Hoops became not just a piece of jewelry but a cultural symbol of individuality and elegance.”

Coming from an antique jewelry background, Edge appreciates hoops for their lasting appeal and says they’re one of his favorite types of jewelry.

“Hoops are a fascinating style—they’ve been worn across cultures and eras, representing everything from unity to empowerment. What drew me to working with hoops specifically was their versatility and enduring appeal,” he explains.

“When I started designing, I wanted to create pieces that were not only beautiful but also told a story. Hoops offered the perfect canvas for that—they’re classic yet allow for endless creativity,” says Edge. “I love how they can be subtle and sophisticated or bold and statement-making, depending on the design. They’re universally flattering and incredibly wearable, which makes them a perfect balance of function and artistry.”

Working with Sade was a thrill, he says, and her fashion sense and artistry left an impression on him, just as they did for many Generation X music lovers who became fans. “We first met at a mutual friend’s party, which was a serendipitous moment,” Edge recalls.

At the start of their collaboration on the earrings for her tour, “Sade already had a strong sense of what suited her, including the perfect diameter for her hoops,” he says. “That made the process both exciting and collaborative. It was an incredible experience to create something for someone whose style has inspired so many, including me.

“It became clear very quickly that Sade’s hoops were more than just jewelry—they were a statement,” adds Edge. “Seeing her wear them so confidently in her music videos, performances, and public appearances was the first clue. They complemented her minimalist, timeless style perfectly, and people took notice.”

Edge says of the Sade hoops he’s introduced, “Her name is so closely linked to the style that it feels like a natural homage to her influence on fashion and culture.”

Top: Singer-songwriter Sade wears hoop earrings she commissioned from Donald Edge in 2011. (Photos courtesy of codebyEdge)