The necklace may be the oldest form of jewelry, but earrings aren't that far behind. In ancient Egypt and Babylon, both men and women pierced their ears. Otzi the Iceman had pierced ears, as did Julius Caesar and King Tut. Through the centuries, earrings have kept their place as jewelry for the ages.

Hook and hook-style earwires are one of the earliest forms of earrings, used as early as Roman times. Kidney-style earwires are found on earrings from the Victorian era, with the French hook not far behind. The fishhook earwire, with its coil or ball (or both), is a relative latecomer but has become the most common earwire style.

 

Hook and hook-style earwires offer an extremely wide range of materials, sizes, styles and weights. This ear finding is the most popular, and jewelry-makers experiment with it frequently. The variety of wire weights used to create earwires allows for extremely lightweight designs, especially when combined with wood, acrylic or fiber components. 
 

 

The leverback earwire has been seen on earrings dating from the 1880s. The leverback is designed to snap tightly over the wire without causing discomfort to the wearer, yet remaining comfortable to use. This earring style is quite popular as the leverback design helps prevent earring loss.

 

Immensely popular in European jewelry, the leverback recently made a transition to the North American market. It is growing in popularity due to its low profile, sturdy construction and additional security. The leverback is available in multiple styles; some have attached or dangling embellishments, some have single preset stones--some have both. Other leverback styles are equipped with loops for attaching dangles and drops, pegs for half-drilled pearls and beads or empty settings for cabochons and faceted gemstones.

  

 

While post styles of earrings were worn by the Etruscans before the rise of Rome, the post or stud style of earrings we know today were first commonly available in the 1920s. Since then, the earpost/earstud component has been available in a wide variety of styles.

 

One of the most popular is the ball post, which has a small metal ball on the front of the post as an embellishment. The half-ball gives the appearance of a ball post yet has a lower profile and often less weight than an equivalent sized ball. Some variations of half-ball and ball post earrings include loops for creating earrings with drops.
  

 

Hoop earrings aren't just for pirates anymore. Hoop and hoop-style earrings were worn as far back as the Bronze Age, in cultures around the world, for a variety of reasons. Hoops were worn to announce social superiority, flaunt or store wealth, indicate servitude and more. This eternally popular style has been made out of almost everything under the sun, such as gemstones, glass, acrylic, metals and organic materials.

 

Hoop earrings are now available in a wide variety of sizes and materials--even shapes! Hoops can be found in triangular, rectangular, square, oval and more. The traditional circular hoop shape can be found in a range of sizes, from the understated earlobe-hugging small loop to huge gypsy-style hoops festooned with crystals and drops. Frequently worn in secondary ear piercings, the hoop is as popular in the Information Age as it was in the Bronze Age.

  

 

During the early 20th Century, the clip-on and screwback earring findings were invented, meaning women no longer had to pierce their ears to wear earrings. In some circles, ear piercing was considered barbaric, gauche--even unsanitary.  

 

Clip-ons, earclips and screwback earring findings allow designers to create comfortable styles for non-pierced ears. Many findings include pegs, holes, loops and more to create the same fashion opportunities that exist for pierced earring wearers.

  

 

Chandelier-style earrings have been popular in India and the Middle East for thousands of years, yet first appeared in western fashions during the 1920s. After decades in the shadows, they recently re-emerged into the limelight and are more popular than ever. Worn during the day for a casual, Bohemian look, chandelier-style earrings easily transition into evening and after-work events.

 

Chandelier earring components are the hoops, loops, filigree and wire components supporting the dangles, chains, sparkling crystals and drops. They can be found in a variety of metals, finishes and dazzling designs.

  

 

With the development of the post-style earring came the need to secure it from falling out. The "butterfly clutch" earnut was used as early as the 1920s, while barrel style earnuts were first patented and used in the late 1940s. The selection of earnut styles has expanded to include threaded earnuts for screw-style posts; monster earnuts, comfort clutches and stabilizers for larger, heavier styles; and rubber earnuts which blend into the back of the ear.

 

Earwires, especially the popular French hook, also have earnuts that prevent earring loss: rubber-lined capsule earnuts, soft rubber earwire safety sleeves and nearly-invisible clear plastic earnuts.

 

 

 

Flower Jade Gemstones
Swarovski Smoked Topaz Crystal Bicones
Sterling Silver Toggle
21 inches

 

Regular Price: $64.95 

Sale Price: $45.47