Earrings Through Time

by E-NewsCast Team
August 23rd, 2010

Earrings – I think of them as the finishing touch to your look.They complete your fashion statement. There are earrings for alloccasions – the board room, work, casual outings, your wedding,a night on the town, or a day at the beach. They can bring outyour softer feminine side, the sexy goddess, or present simplecharm, sophistication and elegance From Elizabeth Taylor to MegRyan to Dave Navarro to Usher – today earrings are a fashionstatement for both men and women. The first pair of earrings hasbeen dated back to 2500 BC. Only the wealth and those of royallines could afford expensive jewelry back then. There are alltypes of earrings – chandelier earrings, dangle earrings, hoopearrings, stud earrings, button earrings, and droplet earringsto name just a few. Earrings come in all types of materials andmetals. Gold, silver, gemstones, plastics, bakelite, copper,diamonds, paste, pearls, faux stones, or glass. The list goes onand on. What ever your desires there is a pair of earrings outthere waiting for you. The oldest earrings ever unearthed byarchaeologists were discovered in Iraq in the royal graves anddate to about 2,500 BC. Back to 3000 BC there were two types ofearrings: the hoop, and the more elaborate pendant. From 1559B.C. to 1085 B in Egypt earplugs became very fashionable. Thesetype of piercings and earrings are seen even on KingTutankhamen. In the Dark Ages poverty prevailed and metaljewelry sharply declined although designs were preserved forlater use. During the Roman Empire wealthy women used earringsto show off their rich status. By the 2nd century AD gemstonessuch as sapphires, emeralds, and aquamarines were usedregularly. During the Byzantine period which ran from330-1200 ADearrings took a back burner to more elaborate bodyornamentation. In the Middle Ages earrings become almostnon-existent because of the elaborate hair styles, andheaddresses which were ever so popular. During the 16th centuryin Italy high collars disappeared and hair was being worn up andaway from the face, so earrings began to make a comeback. Inother parts of the world such as England and France it would beanother 100 years or so before the high collars disappeared. Astime progressed the design of earrings became much more complex.Around 1660 the girandole earring made its appearance remainingvery popular for the next couple of centuries. The girandoleearrings were extremely large and heavy because of the metalcontent [gold or silver] and the amount of gems. Made of 3 pearshaped drops on a hook. The weight was known to cause elongatedear lobes. In the latter part of the 18th century the pendeloqueearrings became popular. They were longer than the girandoleearrings but much lighter. They were the balance for the highhairdos and big wigs that were being worn. During the early1800, jewelers began to mount gemstones, on an open back clawsetting. This allowed the light to pass through the gemsenhancing their color and brilliance. By the 1850s, earrings hadonce again disappeared from the fashion scene. This was onceagain a result of changing hairstyles. The new styles thatinvolved wearing the hair gathered in a knot at the backresulted in the ears being totally hidden. As well bonnets hadarrived on the scene which also made wearing earrings ratherdifficult. During the early 20th century screw backs wereinvented which meant women no longer had to pierce their ears.These became very popular. Some circles even began to believepiercing ones ears was rather barbaric. After WWI shorterhairdos became very popular. Earrings were perfect for fillingthe space from short hair to shoulder and once again became apopular fashion statement. During the 1920s art deco styles tookhold, recognized by their straight or angled designs. Very longchandelier earrings were also quite popular during this time.During the 1930s the clip on was invented. Because clip ons heldthe earring more snuggly than screw backs they became the numberone choice for many years to come. Pierced ears faded into thebackground. During the 1950s earrings were light andaerodynamic. By the 1960s earrings had become fun andinnovative. Texture and color was very important. Prior to the1960s earrings were dedicated to either evening wear or day wearwith the evening wear earrings being more elegant. During the1960s this all changed when the distinction between what wasacceptable for evening or day faded away. By the 1970s we hadentered an “everything goes” style to earrings and pierced earshad made a comeback. Women were buying earrings in largequantities for every occasion. . Today it’s difficult to findsomeone who doesn’t have pierced ears. Today men are asinterested in earrings as women. Men often prefer studs or smallhoops, they may wear one earring, two or more depending on theindividual’s tastes. Children now get their ears pierced oftenat a very young age, even sometimes as babies. Women may haveanywhere from one set of holes to piercings right up the ear.The fashion of earrings has come a long way over the years andits here to stay! Whatever your style, there is certain to be apair of earrings out there for you. Be sure to make your fashionstatement!

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