€ 150
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Cytosine-guanine earrings | sterling silver
Cytosine on one ear, guanine on the other. The stronger of the two Watson-Crick pairs, three hydrogen bonds rather than two. The base pair that holds the double helix together when AT-rich regions have already separated. Worn the same way the bases sit across the helix, paired but on opposite sides.
The Science Behind the C-G Pair
Cytosine and guanine pair through three hydrogen bonds in the Watson-Crick geometry, one more than the A-T pair. The thermodynamic consequence is that GC-rich DNA sequences melt at higher temperatures, which is one of the first things any molecular biologist learns to factor in when designing PCR primers or interpreting denaturation curves. Beyond simple stability, cytosine-guanine dinucleotides (CpG sites) are the targets of DNA methylation, the primary epigenetic modification in mammals. The combination of structural strength and chemical modifiability is what makes the G-C pair carry both the physical scaffold of the genome and a layer of regulatory information on top.
A Quiet Symbol For
- molecular biologists and epigenetics researchers
- biochemists studying nucleic acid structure or DNA repair
- science educators
- anyone who wants the strong base pair as a paired earring set
Often paired with the adenine-thymine earrings to cover all four DNA bases, two pairs across two ear pairs.
Explore Related Molecules Jewelry
- Cytosine necklace | silver
- Guanine necklace | silver
- Adenine-thymine earrings | silver
- Cytosine-guanine necklace | silver
- Cytosine-guanine necklace | gold vermeil
FAQ
Are these for working scientists or for science fans?
Both, but the audience leans towards working scientists. Molecular biologists, geneticists, and epigenetics researchers tend to read the C-G pair as a quiet reference to the topology and chemistry of the DNA helix. Science educators wear them for the same reason. The earrings still work for science fans, especially anyone who can name the four bases and tell you which pair forms three hydrogen bonds and which forms two.
Why pair cytosine and guanine rather than picking one base?
Because the pair is the unit of meaning in DNA. A single base on its own is half of a coded letter. The pair is the letter. Wearing one base on each ear references the way the two strands of DNA come together: each base on one strand is hydrogen-bonded to its complement on the other. The earrings carry that geometry, and the C-G pair specifically is the stronger of the two.
What size are the earrings and what is the return policy?
925 sterling silver. Each pendant is 13 mm, suspended from a 17.5 mm sterling silver hoop. Nickel-free and hypoallergenic, no chain. Ships free worldwide via DHL Express in 1-5 business days, with all import duties and taxes covered. 30-day “Love It or Return It” returns.
Are there matching earrings for the adenine-thymine pair?
Yes. The adenine-thymine earrings exist as a parallel set, also in sterling silver, with 12 mm pendants on the same 17.5 mm hoops. Buyers building both DNA base pairs as a paired collection usually pick up both sets at once.
Molecules
Delve into the hidden elegance of science with our meticulously crafted jewelry, inspired by the intricate structures of chemical molecules. Each piece serves as a tactile tribute to the building blocks of life and matter, capturing the allure of atoms and bonds in precious metals. A harmonious fusion of art and science, these creations are more than mere accessories; they're a celebration of the enigmatic beauty that underpins our universe.
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