About Clip-On Earrings

Clip-on earrings are a relatively new jewelry phenomenon. Although jewelry crafted for pierced ears is one of the earliest forms of adornment for the body, clip-on earrings were invented for women in the early 1900s. As flappers and Hollywood starlets increased the popularity of costume baubles, clip-on earrings became a necessary fashion statement in the chic woman's jewelry wardrobe.

History

According to Love Landia Jewelry, wearing earrings originated in Byzantium and did not become popular in Europe until the 16th century. Once American women had the option of wearing clip-on fashion jewelry in the 1920s and 1930s, the preference for pierced ears faded. The creation of the screw-on back allowed women the option of wearing heavier stones and dangling Art-Deco chandelier earrings without damaging their pierced earlobes.

Significance

Compared to magnetic, hoops and stick-on earrings, clip-on ear jewelry has been worn by more people than any other type of earring for nonpierced ears. A clip-on earring is composed of two distinct pieces: a clasp attached to the back of the lobe and a front piece, connected to the jeweled portion of the earring. The clip-on earring applies mechanical pressure between the two pieces to keep the earring from slipping off the earlobe.

Types

Types of clip-on earrings vary from style of closure to placement on the earlobe. Variations of clip-on earring styles include: ear cuffs, spring hoop and ear screws. Ear cuffs are not placed onto the lobe, but are placed onto the upper-most part of the ear cartilage called the helix. Spring hoop earrings are connected to the ear by a spring mechanism behind the lobe. Ear screws are one of the oldest forms of clip-on earrings. A small screw, placed on the back of the lobe, allows for a tighter fit of the earring to the ear.

Benefits

For women or men who have keloid-prone skin, clip-on earrings are an alternative way to wear ear jewelry. Some parents, who prefer for their young children to wait until they are 18 years old to have their ears pierced, allow clip-on hoops and studs as safe earring alternatives. Clip-on earring wearers reduce the risk of minor infection, contact reactions to nickel and the tearing of the earlobe hole found in some instances of pierced ears.

Expert Insight

For women who desire fashionable earrings made only for pierced ears, clip-on earring converters are sold for as low as $5 per pair. In fact, Oprah Winfrey, before she had her ears pierced in 2005, only wore clip-on earrings. Before Dr. Emily Pollard pierced her ears live on her television show, all of her precious jewels and authentic diamonds were created with clip-on fasteners only.

Resources

• How to Make Clip-on Earrings
• History of Earrings
• Wikipedia--Earring History