With the advent of the earring dating back to 2500 B.C., according to various sources, there’s no denying this body adornment has endured many trends and styles. Today, earring fashions are as varied as their history and may be may be worn by both women and men.

For such a small item, the earring has wielded a dramatic influence through the centuries and in countless cultures. Ancient Persian carvings reveal soldiers donning earrings. In Egypt, ear ornaments, such as “earplugs” became fashionable some 1,500 years ago and were worn even by King Tutankhamen. Wealthy women of the Roman Empire used earrings to denote status. And the Greeks were known for decorating their statues of revered soldiers with earrings. Sapphires, emeralds and aquamarines were used regularly to adorn the earring by the 2nd century A.D.

During the Byzantine period, however, the earring took a backburner in favor of elaborate headdresses and hairstyles. This look of the Middle Ages caused earrings to become nearly nonexistent. Then, in 16th-century Italy, a change in fashions brought about the return of the earring when high-collar dress faded out of style and women began to wear their hair up and away from the face. It took France and England another century before changes in elaborate neck costuming made way for the earring. After its popularity returned, attention to earring design lasted for two centuries. Created from gold and silver, the girandole earring featured three pear-shaped, gem-laden drops on a hook. One drawback – the weight of the earrings was known to cause elongated ear lobes.

The girandole earring was replaced later in the 18th century with the pendeloque earring, which was much lighter and longer in length. The pendeloque was a perfect complement to the intricate hairdos and wigs of the day. In the 1800s, jewelry designers began to mount gemstones on open back claw settings. Light reflecting through the gemstone enhanced its color and brilliance. However, earrings faced a decline again once women began wearing their hair in a knot at the back, hiding the ears completely. The wearing of ornate and simple bonnets also made the wearing of earrings temporarily obsolete.

Women enjoyed a new freedom in ear wear in the early 20th century with the invention of the screw-back earring. Piercing one’s ear oftentimes was considered barbaric. With the advent of the screw-back, more women were able to reconcile the wearing of earrings. Additionally, screw-backs offered greater freedom with style and shape of earrings that were comfortable to wear. With the surge of the Roaring ’20s and art deco style, women wore long chandelier, angled and straight designs. Ear adornment also became popular among U.S. sailors during this time. Legend holds that a pierced ear typically meant that the sailor had crossed the equator or sailed around the world. A piercing in the left ear suggested that the sailor survived a tragic disaster, such as a shipwreck.

By the 1930s, the ease of earrings had truly arrived with the invention of the clip on. These handy devices for wearing earrings were an improvement over screw backs. As hairdos climbed shorter following World War II, earrings filled that space from hair to shoulder. By the 1960s, ear piercing made a comeback.

The “everything goes” attitude of the ’70s opened the door towards new trends for earrings. All types of earrings could be worn for any occasion or style. And, once again it became an en vogue choice for men as well. From the punk rock movement to disco to sports and celebrities, men began accessorizing their styles with earrings. A diamond stud or small hoops remain the preference in many male circles. For today’s women, earrings come in an endless variety of choices – chandelier, hoops, buttons, studs, dangles, as well as in a wide variety of materials – silver, gold, gemstones, diamonds, pearls, and plastic, to name a few.

After centuries of changes, earrings have found their place in fashion history as one of the most versatile and best loved pieces of adornment. For whatever whim or taste, there’s a pair of earrings to coincide.

My colleagues and i love pearl jewelry very much, sometimes we will talk about how to tell if our pearl necklaces or earrings are real or fake, i will list our methods to distinguish between real pearls and fakes. I hope they will be helpful to you too.

First, real pearl necklaces or earrings feel rough or gritty, but fake pearls feel smooth.

In order to test them, we can rub two pearls gently together, if the surfaces are glassy smooth, these pearl necklaces or earrings are probably artificial. However, if the surfaces are texture, these pearl necklaces or earrings are probably genuine. Another funny test is to test by rubbing a real or fake pearl against your tooth. If the pearl is made of plastic or glass, it will feel smooth. If the pear is real, we can see natural texture on the pearl necklace or earring.

Second, if the pearl necklace or earring is sold at an unbelivable price, i think we need to test it more carefully, as we all know, there are no pies dropping from the sky.

Third, imitation pearl necklaces or earrings are usally made by glass or plastic beads, the coating will chip over time. So we can check pearl necklaces or earrings near holes drilled trough them for tiny chips or flakes. If you see some chips, your pearl necklaces or earrings may be fake.

Fourth, real pearls can be either natural or cultured. Natural pearls are usually irregularly shaped and not very attractive, so the naturally round pearls are precious. However, the majority of perfectly shaped pearls are cultured.

At last, if you have better methods to test if pearl necklace or earring is real or not, please share with us! Good luck!

Pearls and diamond go hand in hand and they are both precious and give the style ¡­they make you style icons and divas¡­and others look up to you. Making a diamond earring at home is a near impossible task unless you have a full-fledged jewelry designing business at home but designing your pearl earrings at home is not tough. It¡¯s as easy as making instant coffee.

Pearls come in various size, shape and color. Using our tips you can make any number of earrings with different color, style and design ¡­just a little knowledge and a yearn to wear new and unique jeweler should do the trick.

Pearl earrings come in different styles like studs, chandeliers dangles, hoops, clips-on, and drops¡­Studs go well with formal dresses, dangles with party wears and drops for all occasions.

First let me teach you a style which would combine both dangle and drop styles-
The items that you will need are:
1 inches wires (x2)
6 head pins
2 – Five loop components (It¡¯s easily available in the market)
18 – 3-4mm freshwater pearls
Round-nosed pliers
Flat-nosed pliers

1. Put 3 pearls in a head pin. The head of the pin should be down. Then use the round nose pliers to make a small loop on the pointed side of the pin.
2. Repeat the same process with all the remaining five pins.
3. Now using the flat pliers put the ready pearl pins in the first, third and fifth loops of the component and tightens it up.
4 Put the wire to the component piece and make a semi loop which can be put in the earlobe.
5. Use the same process to make the other earring.
Voila!!! Your combination dangles are ready. If you wish you can also use different colors beads for different strings.

Now to make a simple stud all you need are
2 button pearls
Two earring pins (available in shops easily)
2 stoppers (available in shops easily)

Simply put the pearl bead in the earring pin (keeping the head of pin down) and using the round pliers¡¯ just twist the pin after putting the bead. This will keep the pearl bead at right place and won¡¯t let it move. Put the stopper at the end and your studs are ready.

Style tips:
1) The style of earring also go with the face cut…if u have small face with large forehead studs and clips-on will look great on you!
2) If your face is big and forehead small, go for bigger studs that completely covers your ear lobes or dangles.
3) If you have a pear shaped face then chandeliers would suit you any time.
Use the natural pearls in pink or beige for a richer look and white goes well in summers.
4) Never use pearls that have scratchy surfaces.
5) The pearls should have a glowing luster if genuine.