Jewelry Reflections
Earrings: A Short History
Earrings, ornaments which decorate the ear, are one of the principle forms of jewelry throughout the ages. They have been used as symbols of cultural or tribal identity, markers of age,
rank or marital status, or because they are thought to have protective powers.
The crescent-shaped gold hoops worn by Sumerian women in 2500 BC are the oldest earrings found by archeologists to date. Similar shaped earrings have been found throughout
the Aegean world.
Around 1000 BC earrings started to be embellished with clusters of beads, twisted wire and
pendants.
In about the first century AD, Romans introduced a new earring style: a disk or pendant mounted on an S hook.
Colored stones and pearls were favored and styles became more and more lavish. As Byzantium (Constantinople) became
the center of influence in about 330, earring styles changed to hoops with multiple pearl pendants hung on chains and
crescent-shaped earrings of gold filigree.
In Europe, earrings all but disappeared between the eleventh and sixteenth centuries, as hair and clothing styles covered the
ear. By the late seventeenth century, earrings once again become an essential element of dress. They became more and more
elaborate. Earrings during this period were so heavy they had small rings attached so the wearer could tiethem to her hair
and take some of the weight off her ears.
At the end of the eighteenth century, earring and clothing styles became lighter and simpler. Cameos
and jewelry made of cut steel, seed pearls, coral and jet was popular throughout the nineteenth century.
Depending on the hairstyles of the time, designs ranged from long drop earrings to small single-stone
and cluster earrings. With the opening of the South African diamond fields in the 1860’s and the introduction of better cutting and polishing methods, diamond solitaires became the most fashionable earrings.
Many of today’s earring styles are firmly rooted in those of past eras: studs, chandeliers, drops and
hoops. To see my interpretation of these styles, visit the Earrings page of my website,
SlinkyLynnxChic.com.—Lynn Schmitt, [email protected]
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