antique earrings are a beautiful addition to any outfit and can make you look glamorous and sophisticated. But there is a lot to know about this type of jewelry before you go out and purchase it, especially if you are not an experienced jewelry buyer. You may want to ask questions such as where is this piece of jewellery from, what time period did it originate in and how old is it?

Earrings have been worn since ancient times, and some of the oldest known pairs were found in the Middle East. They were worn by both men and women, and were often a symbol of wealth. They were also thought to protect the wearer from evil spirits, and were often shaped like animals or people. Earrings became more popular during the Georgian, Victorian and Art Deco periods. They were often worn in a cluster form with one large stone surrounded by smaller stones, or they were made in a drop form that hung down from the earlobe. During this period, the ancient art of gemstone engraving was revived and many earrings were shaped like figures or landscapes.

The Renaissance era saw a decline in earrings, as wigs and elaborate hairstyles were the norm for women. However, in the late 18th century, this trend reversed and women once again began to pierce their ears and wear earrings. They were often hung from the bottom of the earlobe, and were crafted with a wide variety of materials. They were also adorned with portraits of legendary figures, such as King Arthur and Queen Victoria.

Small antique studs, called jhumkas, are still very popular with Indian ladies. These are usually carved in temple, tribal or floral motifs and come in different sizes. These are easy to wear for casual or formal occassions, and can be paired with both Indian and Western attire. The bigger jhumkas are used for special occasions and can be a showstopper.

Another style of earring that is quite common is the pendeloque. It was very popular during the 1930s and is similar to a circular hoop. These earrings were sometimes embellished with paste stones (essentially the European name for rhinestones) and set in base metals, or they could be made of real precious stones. Today, this type of earring is often given a matte finish to give it an antique-looking appearance.

You can use the styles of earrings as one clue to help determine their age, but you should always examine other elements such as the metal content, construction and the type of earring back before making your final decision. Also, be sure to check for hallmarks on antique pieces of jewelry. These are a great way to find out when the piece was made and the quality of the gold or silver. For example, the UK has a system of assay marks that identify the gold’s origin. These assay symbols include a leopard’s head, rose, anchor and castle.

Antique Earrings – A History of Beauty and Style

Earrings have long been a symbol of beauty and style. Historically they’ve been worn to signify wealth and power, and as an expression of one’s political leanings—the ancient Greeks would wear gold earrings in the shape of an owl or a goat to show their support for the left-wing cause. Today, however, we tend to wear them simply to add a little extra sparkle and elegance to our look.

In the early to mid-1700s, European jewelry designs started to include large and extravagant hoop earrings with pendants, called girandoles. These were extremely heavy and required significant amounts of precious metals and gemstones, making them difficult to wear for long periods. By the late 19th century, a simpler form of earring became popular, known as a chandelier or pendeloque. This was typically a larger hoop with one or more pendants, with a neoclassical Rococo-style ear wire and pierced clutch back.

From there, the style continued to evolve into a dangling drop-style, usually featuring a large stone or multiple smaller stones. This is a classic look that continues to be very popular even in contemporary styles.

Another popular earring style is the Creole, so named because it was the only piece of jewelry that slaves were allowed to keep upon their arrival at plantations in the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries in the West Indies. This style, typically with a chain or ribbon dangling from a large hoop, is still worn as an expression of African heritage and culture, and was also adopted by black American singers in the 70’s. Earrings like these can often be found with country-specific hallmarks, or metal stamps, to verify their quality and authenticity.