Earrings

Fun Facts About Earrings

• Archaeologists have found earrings dating back over 5,000 years in civilizations like ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Sumerian women frequently wore crescent-shaped earrings made from two pieces of gold sheets over a rigid filler or core.
• In many ancient societies, large, ornate earrings were key status symbols signaling wealth and high social rank. The bigger and more ornate, the better.
• Sailors and pirates historically wore gold earrings as a superstition, believing they improved eyesight and prevented seasickness. It was also funeral insurance: if a sailor died and his body washed ashore, the value of the gold earring could pay for a proper burial.
• In many societies, men were the primary wearers of earrings well before they became primarily associated with women in Western cultures in the 20th century.
• In the early 20th century, ear piercing briefly fell out of fashion — it was seen as barbaric and vulgar by some people at the time. Clip-on earrings rose in popularity to fill the void left behind.
• Earrings can change the way the shape of the face is perceived. Long, vertical, and teardrop styles can make the face look slimmer, while round styles can soften sharp features.
• The earlobe is the most common piercing spot. The tissue is soft, fleshy and contains no cartilage, allowing for a quick healing time of 6 to 8 weeks. That's compared to the more painful cartilage areas which can take 4 or more months to heal.
• Earrings consistently rank as the most popular jewelry gift. They are preferred over necklaces, bracelets and rings due to their versatility and one-size-fits-all nature.