Vintage Earring Earrings
1990s Italian Contemporary Vintage Earring Earrings
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Finnish Modernist Vintage Earring Earrings
Sterling Silver
20th Century Unknown Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
1980s Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
1970s Vintage Earring Earrings
Base Metal
20th Century Vintage Earring Earrings
Gold, Enamel
1970s French Romantic Vintage Earring Earrings
Gilt Metal
1980s American Artist Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Victorian Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Vintage Earring Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Victorian Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold
20th Century Chinese Contemporary Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, Malachite, 14k Gold
1990s American Vintage Earring Earrings
Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1960s Retro Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Vintage Earring Earrings
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Art Deco Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1960s South American Art Deco Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Vintage Earring Earrings
Coral, Diamond, Jade, Onyx, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yell...
1990s American Vintage Earring Earrings
Sterling Silver
1980s Retro Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
20th Century Indian Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold
1980s French Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Vintage Earring Earrings
Silver
20th Century Art Deco Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum, 18k Gold
20th Century American Art Deco Vintage Earring Earrings
White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, Gold
1980s French Vintage Earring Earrings
Gilt Metal
1980s French Vintage Earring Earrings
Gilt Metal
20th Century Vintage Earring Earrings
Silver
1980s Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond
Mid-20th Century Aesthetic Movement Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond
Mid-20th Century Italian Retro Vintage Earring Earrings
Coral, 10k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Vintage Earring Earrings
Gold
1990s American Artist Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s European Modern Vintage Earring Earrings
Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Vintage Earring Earrings
20th Century Vintage Earring Earrings
20th Century Unknown Retro Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1970s Vintage Earring Earrings
Sterling Silver
20th Century Modernist Vintage Earring Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver
20th Century Modernist Vintage Earring Earrings
Agate, Sterling Silver
20th Century Modernist Vintage Earring Earrings
Jasper, Sterling Silver
20th Century Modernist Vintage Earring Earrings
Topaz, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
20th Century Modernist Vintage Earring Earrings
Malachite, Sterling Silver
20th Century Modernist Vintage Earring Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Sterling Silver
20th Century Vintage Earring Earrings
Vermeil, Sterling Silver
1980s Vintage Earring Earrings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Vintage Earring Earrings
1980s Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Vintage Earring Earrings
Late 20th Century Vintage Earring Earrings
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Vintage Earring Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
20th Century Vintage Earring Earrings
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
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Vintage Earring Earrings For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Vintage Earring 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 14, 2023The name of earrings that go through the ear is pierced earrings. They differ from clip-on earrings, which attach to the earlobe rather than going through a piercing. Pierced earrings come in a wide range of styles, including studs mounted on posts, dangles and drops that hang from wires and hoops that feature a variety of closures. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of pierced earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Clip-on earrings may hurt your ears due to the tension that the backings apply on the lobes. If your earrings have adjustable backs, try fastening them less tightly to reduce discomfort. You can also purchase cushions that stick onto the backings to help ease pressure. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of clip-on earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023No, clip-on earrings don't pierce your ears. Instead of slipping through a piercing, a clip-on earring attaches to the surface of your earlobe with a fastener. Depending on the design of the earrings, the fastener may be a hinged clip, a screw, a tension bar or even a magnet. On 1stDibs, explore a large selection of clip-on earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 8, 2023To wear vintage clip-on earrings properly, first position them so that the decorative part is in front of your ear and the backing is behind it. Clip-ons feature a variety of backings, but regardless of type, the clips should generally be positioned so that the open part faces the ceiling and the hinge or closed part is near the earlobe. Once you have the earrings in place, secure the clasp. This may involve squeezing a clip or turning a screw or fastener. On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage clip-on earrings.
- 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023How you use vintage clip-on earrings depends on what type of backing they have. Some simply feature a hinged clip that you open, slip over your ear and then press gently to close. Others may require you to turn a screw or shift a tension bar. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of vintage clip-on earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023Most vintage earrings are clip-ons largely due to how beliefs about piercings have changed over the years. It was only during the 1980s and ’90s that many women began piercing their ears. Prior to that, many women didn't have piercings and could only wear clip-ons, so makers produced earrings to suit their customer base. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of vintage earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2023Yes, you can wear pearl earrings with diamond earrings if you wish. One way to tie the look together is to choose pearl and diamond earrings with matching settings. For example, you can pair platinum diamond and pearl earrings or yellow gold diamond and pearl earrings. Shop a large assortment of earrings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023Many types of earrings that hang from the ear can be elegant. Dangle earrings featuring pearls or gemstones are one option. Large hoops made of gold, platinum or other precious metals are another. For a bold statement, consider chandelier earrings, which feature tiered dangling designs. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of dangle earrings.
- 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 8, 2023Yes, you can use clip-on earrings on pierced ears. The different kinds of clasps featured on clip-ons will still secure them to your earlobes if you have a piercing. However, wearing clip-ons exclusively could cause your piercings to gradually close up over time. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of clip-on earrings.
- What are swing earrings?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Swing earrings are earrings that swing back and forth as you move. Most people refer to them as dangle earrings. They differ from drop earrings, which remain stationary despite your movements. Find a wide variety of dangle earrings from some of the world's top dealers on 1stDibs.
- What is a cluster earring?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 14, 2023A cluster earring is an earring that usually has a round shape and a particular design. Specifically, the earrings feature small gemstones or pearls that completely cover their surfaces. Cluster earrings can include studs that don't extend below the earlobe and drops that hang below the ear but remain stationary when you move. You can also find some cluster styles that include a dangling element, such as a single pearl or solitaire gemstone. Find a variety of cluster earrings on 1stDibs.
- What is an inlay earring?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023An inlay earring is an earring that shows off a certain decorating technique. In jewelry making, inlay is the process of carving small recesses in the surface of a metal, like platinum, gold or silver, and then filling them with precisely cut accent materials. You can find inlay earrings featuring a variety of semiprecious stones and gemstones, such as lapis lazuli, mother of pearl, opal and turquoise. They may also be decorated with inlays of shells, beads, glass and other materials. Shop a range of inlay earrings on 1stDibs.
- Where are pearl earrings from?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023No one knows for sure where pearl earrings originated, but scholars have determined that they date back to ancient times. According to surviving records, the ancient Chinese often presented members of royal families with pearls as gifts. During the 1st century B.C., Julius Caesar passed a law stating that only members of the ruling class could wear pearl jewelry. Shop a large collection of pearl earrings on 1stDibs.
- What is a princess earring?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 23, 2024A princess earring is an earring set with a gemstone featuring a princess cut. Square in shape with rounded corners, the princess cut shows off a symmetrical design that many people find appealing. As a brilliant cut, the princess also brings out the sparkle of gemstones. Shop a selection of princess-cut earrings on 1stDibs.
- What is a dangle earring?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A dangle earring is an earring that hangs below the earlobe. The length, style or material of an dangle earring can vary.
- What is an ear clip?1 AnswerRoman Malakov DiamondsMarch 22, 2021An ear clip is a type of mechanism of attaching earrings to your ear. These are typically omega-backs but without posts. Ear clips are perfect for women who do not have pierced ears.
- What are latch earrings?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertDecember 12, 2023Latch earrings are earrings that have a particular kind of back. Specifically, they feature a post that slides through a piercing and then fits into a metal fastener that has a loop on one end and a hinge on the other. Sometimes people refer to them as latchbacks. Find a wide range of earrings on 1stDibs.
- How do I clean my earrings?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024To clean your earrings, follow the care instructions provided by the maker. Doing so will help to ensure that you remove debris and discoloration safely. If you no longer have the directions, check the brand's website for more information or contact its customer service department for advice. Generally, most earrings can be cleaned with mild dish soap, warm water and a soft-bristled toothbrush or a cotton swab. Shop a wide variety of earrings on 1stDibs.
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