Sputnik Drop Earrings
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Dangle Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Retro Clip-on Earrings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Brooches
Silver
Vintage 1980s French Artist Dangle Earrings
Mixed Metal
20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s French Artist Drop Earrings
Mixed Metal
1990s American Modernist Dangle Earrings
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Artist Drop Earrings
Mixed Metal
Vintage 1980s Brooches
1990s French More Jewelry
Late 20th Century American Dangle Earrings
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Brooches
Gold Plate, Enamel
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Brooches
Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century European Victorian Dangle Earrings
Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Greek Retro Clip-on Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1860s British Victorian Brooches
14k Gold, Sterling Silver, Vermeil
Vintage 1980s Brooches
Vintage 1970s French Clip-on Earrings
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Vintage 1960s American Drop Earrings
Finding the Right earrings for You
In the United States, ear piercing didn’t really become popular until the 1950s and ‘60s, but our desire for a dazzling pair of vintage earrings has deeper roots than that. In fact, wearing earrings actually goes back thousands of years, and you can find many tangible connections between now and then in how we continue to talk about these treasured accessories.
Women wore ornamental earrings — studs and hoops at the very least — in Ancient Egypt, which is home to mines that are among the earliest sources of emeralds in the world. Emerald earrings are highly prized today, and their quality lies in their rich, saturated color. The highest-quality emeralds are green or bluish-green. Earrings worn by the affluent in early Roman civilizations were set with precious stones such as diamonds and pearls, and a clean-looking pop of pearl on the front of the lobe is as timeless as ever. Hoop earrings are imbued with symbolism and cultural significance for many, and on view in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Ancient Near Eastern Art Gallery is a pair of simple gold hoops from Mesopotamia dating to between 2600 and 2500 B.C.
Today, ear piercing is very popular all over the world, and, as a result, it is difficult to overstate how much everyone pines for a good pair of earrings — modernist drop earrings, glamorous Victorian hoops, geometrically complex chandelier earrings, you name it. Sure, jewelry trends and the fashion darlings of social media come and go, but earrings have a staying power that seems impenetrable: The still-strong love affair between British royals and Cartier earrings is more than a century old, glossy 1970s hoops from legacy houses such as Bulgari and Van Cleef & Arpels remain the statement makers they’ve always been and although people have been stacking earrings for many moons, the allure of an expertly mismatched stack of charms and studs still feels fresh and new.
While there is no shortage of modern earring designs to choose from, the classics, like coral earrings, Art Deco–style earrings and diamond drop earrings are still heavy hitters. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of antique, new and vintage earrings today.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2023No, drop and dangle earrings are not the same. Although both types of earrings hang below the ear, their designs are different. Dangle earrings swing when you move, while drop earrings remain stationary. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of dangle and drop earrings from some of the world's top dealers.
- What are drop earrings called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2023Drop earrings are simply called drop earrings. Although the term is often misapplied, true drop earrings are characterized by a long lean line ending in a pear-shaped stone. Popular in the Art Deco era, the design works well for jewelry lovers who favor a minimalist look. Formal examples with diamonds pair perfectly with a cocktail dress or fancy pantsuit, while gem-set and gold ones make great daytime accessories. Find vintage drop earrings on 1stDibs.
- What are geo drop earrings?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Geo drop earrings are drop earrings that feature a mix of geometric shapes. For example, the designs may include metal wire bent to resemble a square stacked on top of a triangle, or be set with gemstones cut into different shapes like round and pear. Because they are drop earrings, the jewelry hangs below the ear but remains stationary as you move. Explore a wide range of drop earrings on 1stDibs.
- What is a drop earring called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023A drop earring is usually just called a drop earring. Drop is the term for an earring that hangs below the ear but doesn't swing when you move. A hanging earring that swings is a dangle earring. Some people may add a modifier to the term drop earring, such as a diamond drop or a pearl drop, depending on the materials it features. Explore an assortment of drop earrings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023The difference between a drop earring and a dangle earring is how it hangs. A drop earring extends down below the earlobe but is stationary, while a pair of dangle earrings’ design allows it to swing. On 1stDibs, find a selection of earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Long drop earrings are sometimes called shoulder dusters. To earn the name, earrings must be long enough to brush against the collarbone or shoulder. Dangle earrings may also be referred to as shoulder dusters. The difference between the two is that dangle shoulder dusters swing as you move, while drop shoulder dusters remain stationary due to their designs. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of drop earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Earrings that drop in the back are called front-back earrings. While many feature a drop element in the back, some front-back earrings have different designs. For example, they may feature a stud in the front with a hoop or a dangling element that goes behind the ear. Shop a wide variety of earrings on 1stDibs.
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