Mings Screw Back Earrings
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Stud Earrings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Clip-on Earrings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s Austrian Modern Brooches
Diamond, Quartz, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
20th Century Dangle Earrings
Jade
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Stud Earrings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s French Brooches
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Clip-on Earrings
Jade, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Asian Stud Earrings
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Stud Earrings
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Stud Earrings
Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Modern Stud Earrings
Jade, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Retro Brooches
Crystal, Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Retro Clip-on Earrings
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Stud Earrings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Clip-on Earrings
Jade, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s American Dangle Earrings
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold
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.
- What is a screw back earring?2 AnswersRoman Malakov DiamondsMarch 24, 2021A screw back is a type of closure for earrings wherein the post is fastened to the back by screwing it. This type of back is usually used for earrings that are worn everyday, children's earrings, or high value earrings as this type of back tends to be more secure.1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021A screw back earring is a type of earring where the back screws into place as if it were a nut over a screw. Because they must be twisted off, they’re more secure for high value earrings.
- Do screw back earrings fall off?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Screw back earrings can fall off if the screws become threaded over time. It’s best to keep a close eye on the condition of the screw and have them repaired or converted if needed. Shop a collection of antique screw back earrings from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Are screw back earrings vintage?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Screw back earrings were most popular during the first half of the 20th century, before clip earrings increased in popularity. However, screw back earrings have never gone out of style. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique screw back earrings from some of the world’s top sellers.