The most visible piece of jewellery a woman can wear.
Earrings have been worn for thousands of years; however, prior to Victorian times they were primarily used to display coloured gemstones, rather than the jewellery itself being the prized possession. Without doubt, no piece of jewellery better displays the dispersion and brilliance of coloured gemstones than a pair of dangling earrings.
Archaeological research shows that earrings are thought to have originated in Asia and the Middle East; the oldest being the hoop and pendant, dating back to about 2000 BC. Pierced earrings date back to Ancient Egypt to around 1500 BC.
Earrings were always a sign of wealth and prosperity and, as with most jewellery, only affluent women could afford to wear rare gemstones and the precious metals from which earrings were made.
Hook earrings date back to Greek and Roman times and many examples of Garnet earrings have been discovered dating back to Anglo Saxon times.
During the Renaissance (14th to 17th century), shorter hair became more fashionable and this led to a surge in the popularity of smaller earring designs.
During the Georgian Era, a type of earring known as the ‘girandole’ came into fashion and some say they defined the period. They were of a distinguishable design that had a gem set near to the ear lobe and then three others hanging from it. These earrings were very heavy and often caused the ear lobes to elongate. Many chandelier earring designs have been inspired by girandole styles.
Queen Victoria had a huge influence on the design of jewellery as a whole and earrings were no exception. In the 19th century she wore long jewelled earrings and set a new trend for women across Europe.
Today, earrings are favoured among women of all ages as well as young men (although fashion dramatically changes when it comes to men and earrings). There are many different styles and types of earring available including: stud; hoop; hugged hoop; solid hoop; hollow hoop; clusters; and dangling. There are also as many different fastenings including: screw back; butterfly back; shepherd’s hook; and levered backs.
A great designer will always take into consideration the gem, the metal and size when deciding the best way to secure the earring to the lobe. You will always see screw backs on expensive Diamond earrings as not only are they considered the most secure method for attaching earrings to the ear; they also have an element of class about them, announcing that the wearer is of a certain status to be able to afford to wear genuine Diamonds and not imitations.
Wherever possible, designers will set gems that are destined to sparkle in drop earrings, allowing the light to catch the gem as the wearer’s head moves, thus enabling them to maximise the visual effect of their brilliance or dispersion. So while the gem does all the hard work for you, you’re free to relax and enjoy your evening, absorbing the countless compliments you will receive.
