The classic round stud earring: simple, yet elegant. A piece of genuine red tape is enclosed in each stud and adds a pop of color and an unexpected twist. These earrings are perfect for women who want to add a touch of history to their presentation. They are comfortable to wear and securely fastened, ensuring that they stay in place throughout the day.

The red tape used to make this jewelry comes from records held in the National Archives. As the Archives works to protect and preserve our nation's records, improvements to storage methods mean that documents are no longer tri-folded and tied together with red tape. Archivists are "cutting the red tape" and protecting our precious artifacts using the newest approved methods of preservation.

By the end of the American Civil War, the practice of binding important documents with red ribbon was common throughout the western world. Civil War veterans' records were bound in red ribbon, and the difficulty in obtaining those records to file pension claims led to the modern American use of the term "red tape."

Bug Under Glass is a small design studio in Sonoma County, California. Each piece is handcrafted by the artist and combines elements of conservation, natural history and design using only museum-grade materials and Tru-Vue blocking glass.