Ever since I got my ears pierced (many eons ago) I have been obsessed with wearing earrings. 
At first it was just the tiny button versions, but in no time flat I graduated to dangling styles. I adore feeling the tiny movements as I turn my head. Honestly it makes me feel so feminine!
[tweet_box design=”box_01″ float=”none”]”You can always tell what kind of a person a man really thinks you are by the earrings he gives you.” Audrey Hepburn[/tweet_box]
What is this back story and history for punching holes in our ears and wearing adornments? As long ago as 7000 years, earrings were worn by men. In fact, Egyptian men wore them to let others know they were part of a higher class.
Shakespeare was said to wear an earring. this image of him shows him sporting one. There is some question as to whether this photo is an accurate one. However, earrings were a common fashion during the English renaissance period. Sir Walter Raleigh and Francis Drake apparently wore them too. Wearing it highlighted their adventurous and unconventional spirit.
Pirates wore earrings for a variety of reasons.
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some believed pierced ears and an earring would prevent seasickness. (Yeah, I bet that worked)
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others sported them to commemorate a successful voyage
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and still others wore them as a protective talisman.. to prevent them from drowning.
Today, earrings are a popular adornment for many. I have so much fun thinking of new earring designs to create and wear. After all I DO need to test them ALL, right? Most of my designs incorporate Sterling silver, copper and gemstones. As you can imagine, the possibilities are endless.
Here are two of my favorites.
I invite you to look at my collection online.
I love wearing earrings and I found the history you gave so interesting. I really like your jewellery – especially like the Dare to Dream earrings this time.
thanks Tamuria. The Dare to Dream style is my all time favorite. Glad you are in agreement.
Hello,
Thank you for sharing this article and the jewelry is gorgeous and just want to keep looking at it. Earrings do make the outfit.
Lori Engliih
I agree. Earrings do enhance the look!
You made some pretty earrings. I didn’t know the history about earrings. Thanks for sharing with us.
thanks Sabrina. It is fun to get the back story on things that are so commonplace today, isnt it?
Love the sacred spiral earrings!
I’d heard some of this history–chiefly that sailors wore them as a badge of surviving a perilous journey. I love the romance of that!
I can tell you are a writer Susan. You picked up on the romance of it right away. Thanks so much.
I guess I am a simpleton, I like silver hoops and the thing with tons of different earrings are storing and picking them out. lol Those are pretty though.
Thanks Kristen. Silver hoops are great. If it works for you and you feel great wearing them then that’s the perfect adornment for you
I always enjoy the history you provide with your beautiful jewelry. I love earrings. They can really elevate the look of an outfit. Thanks for this beautiful blog.
Thanks Candess scouting out the history is fun. Always nice to know how it all began..right?
I absolutely love your earrings, Alene. I have three pairs now. Can’t wait to expand my collection.
Thank you so much Carol. Love to hear it?
And earrings always fit.
Yep! I had planned to add that slogan about still being able to wear the earrings I wore in high school. Just forgot
Although I haven’t worn earrings in years, I do agree with you on how fabulous they look on women who wear them. Love the history behind them and that it was men who may have been the originators. And of course, both women and men now wear earrings. I also love hearing that your designs come from your own love of earrings and it shows! Very lovely designs in both of the pairs you featured.
Thanks Beverley. Appreciate it
I had no idea about the history of earrings. I love them, too, but I generally am a post girl instead of a wire, which ends up hurt my earlobes after a few hours. But when I can get post earrings that are also long and dangly…yeah, baby!
Thanks for sharing the history of piercings Alene 🙂 So interesting! Love the wonderful pieces that you have created as well 🙂 Beautiful!
Thanks Joan. It was fascinating to do the research for this one. Glad you enjoyed it
I have to laugh as I look back. I’m made my mother let me pierce my ears for practical reasons. I told her I was fearful of having a clip earring fall off and losing it. It made more sense to have my ears pierces so that wouldn’t happen. Yes, in my jewelry box are solitary pierced earrings separated from their other half for totally unknown reasons. Yet, I still love to wear them. Thanks for sharing, Loved learning about their background history.
Great story Joyce! I have a few of those lone wolves myself. Why is it that paper clips seem to multiply yet earrings don’t ?
I used to wear earring all the time and some how got out of the habit. I’m more of necklace person, but do put on a pair if I’m getting dressed up. Fun hearing about the history of earrings! Thanks
Thanks Lisa we all have our favorite adornment. For me it’s the opposite. I do wear pendants but can do without but if I forget to put on earrings I feel underdressed.
I love earrings and have more pairs than I could ever wear; however, I don’t wear them so much because my favorite hairstyles cover them up.
Thanks Rachel. The shorter styles are more conducive to wearing earrings… but the long dangly styles peeking out from a long style will create some second looks!
Earrings for seasickness prevention? I wonder if it was something like using a meridian? There were pockets of doctors who did meridian treatments back then…. I have my masters in Elizabethan literature and history, so this fascinates me.
Thanks so much Jennifer. I know it sounds far fetched. Perhaps it did have something to do with meridian treatments..I’ll have to research further