I thought I knew about earrings, and I took some pride in that. But after talking to someone at a shop
recently while browsing, I was given a short little lesson on just how little I did
know. First, a bit of neat naval history.
The Pirates and sea farers wore hoop golden
earrings for several reasons:
1.
They hung wax off of them that could be used to plug their ears when firing
the cannons that can shatter your ear drums when you fought in one too many
battles;
2.
They helped with seasickness (I’m a bit dubious on this one), and they
were a badge of honor given when a sailor first passed the equator; and
3.
The earrings were usually made of gold that was meant to compensate for
burial if they drowned and their body were washed ashore after a shipwreck.
Throughout the centuries the trend
continued amongst men, until tables turned and women began to dominate ear
adornment. During 1970’s piercing reached
new heights as
nurses began attending ear
piercing parties at
department stores, alleviating
the need for home piercings using a needle and a
prayer that infections wouldn’t occur. Eventually ear piercing guns were
invented and improved sterilization techniques promoted further adoption of
fashion piercings.
Here are the common ones that everyone's heard of:
Studs
These kinds of earrings create the illusion
of floating on an earlobe, they are also the first earrings you wear after
piercing your ears. Post earrings consist of the post that goes through the
piercing and an embellishment that is fused or soldered to the front. Designs
can be enhanced with drop rings for dangles. Stud earrings stay in place using
a clutch or butterfly backing.
Earwires
Shepherd
Hooks - the most popular of all pierced earrings,
hook earwires are inexpensive and easy to make by forming wire. Many variations
exist by changing the shape, altering the wire or adding ornaments to the hook
itself. The drawback of earwires is that they often push forward out of the ear
when the end-user wears certain hairstyles, scarves or turtlenecks. A rubber
back stopper can help to secure these earrings in place to avoid losses.
V-wires
or Marquise wires - this is currently a popular
variation on the standard hook shape. V-wires are typically larger than
standard earwires and can support heavier dangles.
Ear
Threads – these long earrings thread through the
ear and out the opposite side so dangles appear both in front and behind the
lobe for an interesting illusion effect.
Kidney
wires – are made from wire shaped like a kidney
with a hook that latches the finding together. Kidney wires are inexpensive and
more secure since they rarely push out of a piercing. Current variations
include larger wires that hang lower from the ear.
Hinged Ear Findings
Leverbacks – are a premium ear finding option. These findings have a hinge
backing that securely snap into place behind the ear lobe.
Earharp-- shaped like a harp, these findings consist of a post and hinge
backing that snaps in place for a secure hold.
Hoops
Wire
Hoops – these lightweight and inexpensive hoops are
ideal for beading or wirework additions. Wire hoops usually have one end
flattened and pierced so the hook end can latch into the hole. Or, they may
have a circular loop at one end to receive the bent latch hook. Wire hoops come
in all shapes and sizes.
Hinged
Hoops – are a more expensive, premium option. These
earrings have a hinge that securely latches it into place. Hinged hoops are
often made with hollow tubing or solid castings. The larger surface area on the
hoops allows for more ornate patterns, shapes and designs.
Endless
Hoops – are primarily made from hollow tubing. The
top arch is a finer gauge wire that goes through the lobe and then inserts into
the open end of the tubing to create an “endless” loop shape.
Non-pierced Earrings
Clip-ons – are the most popular non-pierced earrings. They just snap to the
lobe to hold it in place but do tend to slip off fairly easily when dangles are
too heavy.
Screwbacks - literally twist into place, holding the finding securely to the
lobe.
Others
Cuffs – wrap around the cartilage in the middle of the ear. They are
purchased as a pre-made cuff or many designers create their own using ear cuff
blanks. These are often embellished with a charm or a chain is added linking it
to another earring located elsewhere on the ear.
Chandeliers – usually hang from an earwire. These resemble a chandelier and
create a cluster effect in jewelry designs.
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