earrings are claimed to have a history that dates back almost 5000 years to Asia, where they are thought to have originated.
Arachaeologists digging in Iraq unearthed examples of earrings that were dated back to 4500BC - the oldest that remain intact.
There have also been examples of earrings found in Crete made from bronze, gold and silver which dating technolgies estimate to be from around 2000 BC.
These earrings were found buried with human remains as this was a custom of the time.
From Egypt in the New Kingdom emerged a new style of earring which can be seen in depictions of the boy king, Tutankhamen.
The style was more of an earplug which fitted snugly into a larger, stretched hole in the earlobe
During the 2nd century, women in the Roman Empire took to displaying their wealth and prosperity through the use of rare gemstones as part of their jewellery, which increased the popularity of jewellery as a fashion item.
The elaborate hairstyles of the middle ages made earrings less important to women of this time.
This contrasted with the the syle of 16th century Italian women, who kept their hair swept back from their face, allowing them to use earrings to complement their features.
It was to be a while before other countries such as England, Spain and France followed suit, but they eventually came around
By the 17th century, women across Eurpoe had embraced the earring as an essential fashion accessory, with one of the most popular designs of that period being the very heavy pendant syle known as girandoles.
This was possibly a result of their popularity with Queen Victoria. The sheer size of these earrings often resulted in slightly elongated earlobes if they were extensively worn over a period of time.
As tends to happen with most things, the fact that earrings were popular with the upper class, led to them also becoming popular with the common class.
The common folk adopted their own styles which were usually less intricate and made from materials costing far less.
The 20th century saw earrings revolutionised once more, with different fittings being created and a move towards the earring being worn at all times as opposed to only on special occassions.
It also started to become more common to find males wearing earrings (generally in one ear) as a fashion statement.
Earrings have never been more popular than they are today. There are more earring options available now then there ever have been before.
They make a wonderful choice as a gift, with a wide range of colours, styles, sizes and designs to choose from.
Author Resource:
Kate Stephen is the creative force behind Red Ribbon Gifts - an online gift store that brings together a diverse range of designer gifts from talented new designers, and smaller boutique style manufacturers.
Originally focusing on gifts for her , the business has recently expanded to include a gifts for him and a corporate gifts range. Visit Red Ribbon Gifts today to find valentines day gifts for her
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