Long Victorian Paste Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Lovely, long Victorian Paste Earrings set in sterling silver, closed back settings with elaborate, articulated Baroque design.
Antique 1880s French Victorian Drop Earrings
Sterling Silver
Long Victorian Paste Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Lovely, long Victorian Paste Earrings set in sterling silver, closed back settings with elaborate, articulated Baroque design.
Sterling Silver
Long Victorian Articulated Paste Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Lovely, long Victorian Articulated Paste Earrings set in sterling with unusually large crystal marquise shaped stones in each pendant.
Sterling Silver
Antique Paste Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Antique paste articulated earrings are set in sterling silver from the late 19th Century. The pastes on the cluster drop are set into crown settings and are suspended from a paste se...
Sterling Silver
Victorian Paste Stone Mother of Pearl 18 KT Star Earrings
Located in Napoli, IT
Sparkling Stars These gorgeous Victorian period earrings are 1890 ca Hand crafted of solid 18 KT solid rose gold Lovely Star design centred by a shimmering Mother of Pearl centre pie...
Pearl, 18k Gold
Victorian 14K Gold 'Leaf' Earrings with Seed Pearls & Paste - E.U. - Circa 1880
Located in Chatham, CA
Antique rare Victorian 14K yellow gold 'leaf' earrings - hand made - each earring set with 20 natural seed pearls creating a delicate shimmering effect against the gold (40 total - c...
Crystal, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Edwardian Earrings of Pink Paste Earrings
Located in Stamford, CT
Superb quality earrings designed with the flourish of garlands, have been made of foiled pastes in the manner of Georgian and Victorian earrings.
Sterling Silver
Antique Paste and Enamel Earrings of 14k and 18k Gold
Located in Lewisburg, PA
Radiating the soft elegance of the Victorian era, this enchanting pair of antique earrings (circa 1870) features luminous paste (glass) stones set against a delicate sky-blue enamel ...
14k Gold, Enamel
19th Century Enamel & Paste Masquerade Locket & Earrings Suite, Circa 1860
Located in Altrincham, GB
A superb 19th Century French masquerade suite, comprising a locket suspended from a chain, with matching drop earrings. European made, they date from the Victorian period, circa 1860...
Enamel
Unavailable
Victorian Paste Earrings Silver Gold
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
These fabulous Silver antique earrings are genuine Victorian, Circa 1900. The earrings are set with beautiful pear shaped Paste Stones in a detailed Victorian gallery.
15k Gold, Silver
Unavailable
Antique Victorian Paste Earrings, circa 1880
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
These are truly magnificent, a genuine pair of Silver antique Victorian Paste drop earrings, Circa 1880. Adorned with white and green Paste stones in a pear shaped gallery.
Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian Paste Earrings Silver, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
A magnificent pair of earrings which will look fabulous when worn. WEIGHT: 7.6 grams MEASURES: Width 12mm x Height 38mm x Depth 6mm GREEN PASTE MEASURES: Width 11mm x Height 16mm...
Silver
Antique Victorian Paste Earrings Silver Gold, circa 1880
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
Each earring is decorated in sparkling white Paste Stones and adorned with a large purple Paste dropper which simulates the beauty of an Amethyst.
Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian Paste Earrings Silver 18 Carat Gold, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
These gorgeous Antique Victorian earrings are commissioned in Silver and feature a double drop design.
9k Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian Paste Stone Screw Earrings Silver 18 Carat, circa 1860
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
These fabulous Victorian Paste earrings are, Circa 1860. The earrings are set with a 4ct old cut Paste Stone in a Silver gallery.
18k Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian Paste Silver Earrings Champagne Paste, circa 1860
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
These fabulous antique Victorian Silver and Gold long earrings are Circa 1860.
Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian French Paste Drop Earrings Silver
Located in Kendal, GB
A spectacular pair of antique drop earrings made in France in the late 19th Century. Each earring is made up of three ornate sections decorated with an array of sparkling paste stone...
Silver
Antique Victorian Large Paste Earrings, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
For more details please click continue reading down below.. These beautiful earrings are genuine Victorian, Circa 1900 A lovely pair of 19th Century earrings. 10 large Paste stone...
18k Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian Amethyst Paste Earrings Gold Silver
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
For more details please click continue reading down below... These fabulous Victorian 18ct Yellow Gold and Silver Paste earrings are lovely.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Victorian English 15k/Sterling Silver Paste Chandelier Earrings
Located in Narberth, PA
A stunning pair of English chandelier earrings from the Victorian (ca1880s) era! Crafted in 15k rosy gold and sterling silver, each chandelier-style earring is adorned with 19 paste ...
Moonstone, Gold, 15k Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique Victorian Blue Enamel Paste Earrings, circa 1890
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
These fabulous antique Victorian earrings are set in Sterling Silver adorned with sparkling Paste stones and blue Enamelling, Circa 1900.
Silver
Victorian Cushion Cut Paste Gold Screw Earrings, circa 1860
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
An elegant pair of Victorian earrings that look lovely when worn. Steeped in Victorian history.
Rose Gold
Antique Victorian Earrings Green Paste circa 1880 Screw Backs
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
These fabulous Victorian long Silver and Gold earrings are all genuine Circa 1880, set with lovely rich Emerald Green Paste Stones.
9k Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian Paste Stone Silver Gold circa 1900 Drop Earrings
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
A beautiful pair of antique Victorian drop earrings adorned with faceted clear Paste Stones.
Gold, Silver
Victorian French Poissardes Hoop Earrings in Gold & Paste
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare 18kt rose gold antique Poissardes earrings (hallmark: eagle's head and head of ram) adorned with paste. The clasp sneaks from the back. Described as "poissardes", it is told th...
Gold
Unavailable
H 0.99 in W 0.4 in D 0.2 in
Antique Victorian Paste Double Drop Earrings 18 Carat Gold, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
These beautiful Antique Victorian double drop earrings have been modelled in 18ct Yellow Gold and each set with two beautiful Emerald green Paste stones.
18k Gold
Unavailable
W 0.71 in L 1.66 in
Antique Victorian Paste Drop Earrings French 18 Carat Gold Silver, circa 1840
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
These stunning Antique French Victorian long drop earrings have been modelled out of Silver gilded in 18ct Gold.
18k Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian Pink White Paste Stone Earrings Silver 18 Carat, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
These beautiful Paste Stone earrings are set in 18ct Gold and Silver, Circa 1900.
18k Gold, Silver
Antique Silver and Paste Earrings
Located in London, Mayfair
These Victorian paste (glass, cut to resemble gems) earrings, designed as bows and stylised ribbons suspending pear-shaped blue paste drops, are a wonderful surviving example of peri...
Silver
Unavailable
Earrings Paste Stone Silver 18 Carat
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
The unique earrings are set with sparkling Paste Stones, in a Silver gallery.
18k Gold, Silver
Antique 9ct Gold Pearl Paste Drop Dangle Earrings 375 Purity c1900 Victorian
Located in Camelford, GB
A very special item for you to consider: 9CT GOLD PEARL PASTE SCREW BACK DROP DANGLE EARRINGS DETAILS Material: 9ct 375/000 Yellow Gold Style: Victorian stylish and elegant drop / ...
Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 9ct Gold Diamond Paste Drop Dangle Earrings 375 Purity C1890 Victorian
Located in Camelford, GB
A very special item for you to consider: 9CT GOLD DIAMOND PASTE SCREW BACK DROP DANGLE EARRINGS DETAILS Material: 9ct 375/000 Yellow Gold Style: Victorian stylish and elegant drop ...
Crystal, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Georgian Drop Earrings Silver Purple Paste, circa 1800
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
To read more please click continue reading below- These fabulous antique Silver and Paste drop earrings are Georgian Circa 1800. Each earring is decorated with sparkling white Pas...
18k Gold, Silver
Early Victorian Paste Earrings in Silver over Gold, circa 1840s
Located in Litchfield, CT
An evocative example of nineteenth-century jewelry, these early Victorian earrings are set with paste in a swagged floral motif.
Gold, Silver
Victorian Paste and Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
These Victorian paste earrings secure to the reverse with a kidney style post fastening.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Paste and 18 Karat Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
These Victorian paste earrings secure to the reverse with a kidney style post fastening.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Pink and White Paste Earrings
Located in Stamford, CT
Deliciously cheerful, clear pink paste stones have been cut in rounded squares and suspended from white paste round stones.
15k Gold
Antique Victorian Double Pink Paste Earrings
Located in Stamford, CT
Cotton Candy is the color of this pair of Victorian pink paste earrings, the color that is a favorite of paste lovers.
Antique Victorian Double Pink Paste Earrings
Located in Stamford, CT
Cotton Candy is the color of this pair of Victorian pink paste earrings, the color that is a favorite of paste lovers.
Antique Victorian Double Pink Paste Earrings
Located in Stamford, CT
Cotton Candy is the color of this pair of Victorian pink paste earrings, the color that is a favorite of paste lovers.
Late Victorian Paste and Gold Buckle Earrings
Located in Houston, TX
A pair of late Victorian 18K gold earrings in the form of a buckle, accented with blue, white, and red paste stones.
18k Gold
Antique Victorian Paste Globe Earrings, 9k Gold and Silver
Located in NEWARK, GB
A pretty and very dainty pair of Antique paste globe earrings. They have a paste encrusted globular shspe set into sterling silver with relatively flat paste with incredible shine a...
9k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Victorian 15kt Gold Earrings, Coral Paste, Etruscan Revival
Located in NEWARK, GB
A beautiful pair of Antique 15ct yellow gold dangly earrings. Etruscan revival style gold drops with scroll work and beaded detailing. They have been set with a coral coloured past...
Gold, 15k Gold
Antique Seed Pearl & Paste Topaz Earrings
Located in Baltimore, MD
Exquisite Victorian day/night seed pearl earrings set with paste pink topaz in 15K gold.
Pearl, 15k Gold
Silver Gilt Clear Paste Earrings 15 Karat Gold Earwires, circa 1880
Located in Baltimore, MD
A lovely pair of white paste earrings closed back set in silver gilt. Approximately 18 MM or .7 inches in width, these well scaled earrings can be dressed up or down. Made of "paste"...
Silver, 15k Gold
Natural Opal and Paste Victorian Earrnings
Located in Stamford, CT
Rainbows of sparkling natural color in oval opals are set in the center of white diamond faceted pastes. Tastefully made in the late Victorian period, this pair of earrings is brill...
Opal
Early Victorian Paste Earrings
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of early Victorian paste earrings with new 15k gold ear wires.
15k Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian Silver Paste Earrings
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
These fabulous Victorian Sterling Silver earrings are set with beautiful old cut Paste stones.
Other, Silver
Antique Victorian White Paste Halo Earrings
Located in Sale, Cheshire
Cool Victorian halo earrings set with glistening white paste gemstones.
Silver
Antique Victorian Harlequin Paste Dangle Earrings
Located in Sale, Cheshire
These harlequin earrings are completely out-of-this-world. Set with myriad coloured paste gemstones, each comprises two oval orbs - fully pavé set - dangling on chains from a flower ...
9k Gold, Pinchbeck
Antique Victorian Emerald Paste Diamond Earrings
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A gorgeous pair of antique emerald paste and rose cut diamond earrings dating from the late Victorian era, circa 1900.
Diamond, 15k Gold, Silver
Victorian Green White Paste Silver Earrings, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
These fabulous Victorian Sterling Silver long Paste earrings are adorned with green and white Paste Stones, Circa 1900.
Sterling Silver
Antique Victorian Silver Screw Paste Earrings, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
These fabulous Sterling Silver antique screw back Paste earrings are Circa 1900. Paste is hand-cut glass that has been polished with metal powder until it shimmers like a gemstone.
Sterling Silver
Pink and Green Paste Pendant Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Fabulous and unusual pendant earrings with foil-backed pink and green pastes with pearl accents, set in sterling silver with gold wires. Continental circa 1900. *Not available fo...
Sterling Silver
Antique Victorian Flower Earrings Blue Paste Silver, circa 1890
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
To read more please click continue reading below- These fabulous antique Victorian Silver flower earrings are adorned with sparkling blue Paste Stone petals, Circa 1890.
Silver
Antique Victorian Drop Earrings Silver Paste Flowers, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
To read more please click continue reading below- These fabulous antique flower drop earrings are Victorian, Circa 1900. Each flower shaped earring is decorated in sparkling white...
Silver
Antique Victorian Long Silver Paste Drop Earrings, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
To read more please click continue reading below- These fabulous antique long Sterling Silver Drop earrings are genuine Victorian Circa 1900. The earrings are decorated in sparkli...
Sterling Silver
Antique Victorian Pearl Drop Earrings Silver Paste, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
To read more please click continue reading below- These fabulous antique Silver and Pearl drop earrings are Victorian Circa 1900. The earrings are decorated with sparkling white P...
Pearl, Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian Paste Blue Zircon Long Earrings Silver, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
These Victorian Sterling Silver Paste Stone earrings are wonderful, Circa 1900.
Sterling Silver
Antique Victorian Paste Stone Silver Gold circa 1900 Drop Earrings
Located in Lancaster , GB
A beautiful pair of antique Victorian drop earrings adorned with faceted clear Paste Stones.
Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian Blue Paste Earrings 9 Carat Gold, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster , GB
A fabulous pair of Antique late Victorian triple drop earrings set with three beautiful Bristol blue Paste Stones, approx. 10ct in each earring, 20ct in total.
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 12 Carat Gold Blue Paste Padlock and Key Earrings, circa 1870
Located in Lancashire, Oldham
A super pair of 12ct yellow gold Victorian padlock and key earrings with small blue paste highlights.
Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold
H 0.6 in W 0.36 in
Antique Earrings Leaves, Leaves Earrings Silver and Gold, Antique Paste Earrings
Located in PARIS, FR
Antique earrings leaves in 14k gold and silver. Pair of earrings forming a leaf pattern in silver, decorated with 3 paste stones. The fastener is a later assembly, the elements of th...
Gold, Silver
Suffragette Flower Earrings Paste Silver Gold, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
These fabulous antique Victorian flower drop earrings represent the Suffragette movement.
Silver
Antique Edwardian Dangle Paste Earrings Silver, circa 1910
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
These stunning Antique Edwardian earrings have been commissioned in Silver and adorned with an array of glittering Paste stones. Each earring features a bow shaped section towards th...
Silver
Georgian Victorian Sterling Silver and Gold Citrine Paste Necklace and Earrings
Located in St.amford, CT
Antique necklace and earring set from 1830-1850s that was made in the late Georgian or early Victorian period.
Citrine, Gold, Silver
2ct Emerald in Forget Me Knot Style Ring
Located in Brisbane, AU
*Custom design to order * Our showstopper Natural Emerald "Forget Me Knot" ring is smothered in diamonds set in a combination of 22ct yellow gold and platinum Please message ou...
Diamond, Emerald, 22k Gold, Platinum
Antique Austro-Hungarian Ruby Gold Earrings
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique 1880s Austro-Hungarian era 18k gold earrings centered with 2 natural ruby stones flanked with rose cut diamonds earrings lenght 2.5cm hall marked with dog head gold standard ...
$35,000
H 2.76 in W 3.55 in D 2.76 in
Victorian Opal and Diamond Crown Tiara Haircomb Necklace, circa 1880s
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
Victorian Opal and Diamond Crown Haircomb Necklace, ca. 1880s A very unusual and stunning Victorian crown, set with fiery opal cabochons and old-mine cut diamonds, from the 1880s. T...
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Silver
Victorian 20K Yellow Gold 7.99 Carat Old European Diamond Drop Earrings
Located in Cape May, NJ
Era: Victorian Estate Composition: 20K Yellow Gold Primary Stone: One Old European Cut Diamond Carat Weight: 3.39 Carats Color/Clarity: Q to R / VVS2 GIA Report Number: 6233854...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Gold Victorian Old European Cut Diamond Earrings
By Non Branded
Located in Lexington, KY
These vibrant earrings are made in 18k yellow gold with Old European cut diamonds and come from the Victorian era. The classic drop style earrings and original Victorian design is mo...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Edwardian Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Double Row Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This double row band holds a total of 50pts worth of bright glistening diamonds. The ring is modelled in 18carat gold. Ring Size: P or 7 3/4 Panel Dimensions: 15x6mm Weight: 2.1g
Diamond, Gold
$1,120Sale Price / item|20% Off
Unisex Diamond Celestial Dome Band Ring in 18kt Solid Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Unisex Diamond Celestial Dome Band Ring in 18K Gold featuring natural diamond of 0.031 carats. The gorgeous handcrafted ring goes with every style.. April birthstone diamond brings ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Escada 2000s Pink Python Snake Skin Silver Link Evening Shoulder Bag Purse
By Escada, Escada Margaretha Ley
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful early 2000s ESCADA pink patchwork python snakeskin evening bag! Various shades of pink python matches anything! Front and back panels feature a slightly darker shades of pi...
Vintage turquoise beaded silk sheer floral layered wedding slip dress gown M L
Located in Milano, Lombardia
LOVE LALI VINTAGE A breathtaking vintage gown. I would estimate this to be from around the late 90's. It has a pale blue lining which is overlayed with a sheer turquoise layer that ...
Art Deco Paste Graduated Crystals
Located in New York, NY
Attractive Art Deco Paste Graduated Crystals from the 1920's. Faceted lead crystal sparkles brightly in this riviere style. This probably had an emerald stain at one point and there ...
Crystal, Silver Plate, Brass
Early Elsa Peretti Rock Crystal Bean Pendant
By Elsa Peretti for Halston
Located in New York, NY
Early, Rare Elsa Peretti Rock Crystal Bean Pendant from the 1970's. Large rock crystal "bean" set in a hand made silk net with tassel made by Japanese artisans. Unsigned early Perett...
Rock Crystal
2002 Christian Dior by John Galliano Genuine Snakeskin Brown Shoulder Bag
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Designed by John Galliano in 2002, this sleek dark brown Christian Dior bag is crafted from python skin with leather accents. The shoulder bag has a flap design with a buckle closure...
Georgian 15kt Gold Silver Rose Cut Diamond Drop Earrings, Circa 1790
Located in Napoli, IT
Beautiful Georgian period Diamond drop earrings of lovely design Close back, hand crafted of solid 15 KT gold topped by silver – tested – 1790/1810 ca English origin Articulate to sw...
Diamond, 15k Gold, Silver
$5,397 / set
W 0.95 in L 1.7 in
Pair 18th Century Spanish Rose-Cut Diamond and 18 K Gold Earring - Wearable Art
Located in OVIEDO, AS
Pair 18th Century Spanish "Salmantinos" Rose-Cut Diamond and Gold Earrings. Gold and Diamond earrings, which are a variation on the Pendeloque drop, Circa 1760 - 1780. (Wearable Art...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Pigeon's Blood Burmese Ruby and Diamond Necklace/Tiara, circa 1915
Located in London, GB
Pigeon's blood Burmese ruby and diamond necklace/tiara. Set to the centre with twenty six oval old cut natural unenhanced Pigeon's blood Burmese rubies in open back claw settings, ra...
Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold, Platinum
$27,027
Size: FR38 - UK10 - US6
Christian Dior by John Galliano Floral Silk Embellished Evening Dress, FW 2001
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
▪ Brand: Christian Dior ▪ Creative Director: John Galliano ▪ Collection: Fall-Winter 2001 ▪ Fabric: Silk, Tulle ▪ Size: FR38 - UK10 - US6 ▪ Made in: France ▪ Condition: Very Good ▪ ...
The reign of Queen Victoria encapsulates a quickly evolving period of history — and jewelry styles were no exception. No single period has seen such a diverse group of jewelry attributed to it than the Victorian era. Today, there is a vast collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.
Victorian jewelry is named after Queen Victoria, whose reign lasted from 1837 to 1901, making her the second longest-ruling monarch. (She was surpassed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015.) During this time, different styles of fashion and jewelry came and went. Thanks to our fascination with royalty and swoon-worthy melodramas like Netflix’s The Crown — which is rife with evocative fashion, jewelry and interiors — and the 2017 feature film Victoria & Abdul, we are all familiar with her story. After the death of Victoria’s father and three childless uncles, she ascended to the throne at age 18. In 1840, Queen Victoria married the love of her life, her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
Queen Victoria loved serpentine jewels, and she had even more power to shape trends than Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle do today. The British monarch’s best-known piece in this mold is the gold coiled-snake engagement ring she received from Prince Albert — the sinuous reptile was considered a symbol of everlasting love.
The Queen's 63-year reign has been divided by historians into the Romantic period, the early happy years, circa 1837–60; the Grand period, marked by the deaths of the Queen’s mother and husband, circa 1860–80; and the late Victorian or Aesthetic period, which lasted from about 1880 until 1901 and ushered in the Belle Époque. Queen Victoria wore her heart on her sleeve, and her fashion and jewelry reflected her emotions.
Romantic period jewelry, which featured common decorative motifs and was embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise, was a celebration of the young monarch’s love. Everything changed with the death of Prince Albert, and the Grand period is most often associated with mourning jewelry. Jewelry was smaller, lighter and more dainty during the late Victorian period. During this era, diamonds came into fashion, and semiprecious gems such as amethysts and opals became prevalent, too. Using gemstones for their natural beauty and not their worth was something that jewelers of the era felt passionate about, and this ideology would really become relevant in Art Nouveau jewelry.
Find a collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry — from rings, necklaces and brooches to a range of other accessories — on 1stDibs.
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.