Earrings have been worn as an adornment for centuries by both men and women. Occasionally only one is worn, but the usual custom today is to wear one in each ear. In the past sailors wore an earring; in more modern days some rock musicians would wear them. Today there are a multitude of beautiful styles of earrings which can be worn.
They can be made of many different materials, often gold or silver, or a metal which has been plated in them.
AB This refers to an effect on jewellery which stands for Aurora borealis , meaning the Northern Lights. The stones are usually rhinestones which have been surface treated so that when the item moves various lights reflect in the item.
Amber is a fossilised resin which comes from trees and is available in various colours but is usually yellow or orange.
Clip On These earrings are much less common today than they were early in the last century and it is often difficult to find clip on earrings which are drop earrings. These earrings have a 'clip' mechanism attached to the earring which clips on to the ear lobe.
Diamante is a term which refers to a glittering object which is on the item of jewellery. It can sometimes be a sequin, but more often an artificial crystal such as a rhinestone.
Drop Earrings These are earrings which hang down from the ear with what can be a variety of decorations. These could consist of crystals, gems, gold or silver decorations or flowers, as examples.
Fashion Earrings Usually refers to earrings which are not made from sterling silver or gold. Often they consist of rhodium which has been plated in silver.
Freshwater Pearls These are pearls which are come from mussels grown in freshwater. They can come in various shapes.
Hook Earrings These earrings have a large open hook on the top of the earrings and these fit through the ear with no 'stopper'.
Pierced Earrings These are the most common form of earrings where the wearer has had a piercing through the ear lobe enabling an earring to be fitted through this. The post of the earring is kept in place by a 'butterfly' or other 'stopper.
Rialto is an area of Venice and the name of a bridge there. The name conjures up romance and beauty.
Rhinestone is an artificial gem, usually made out of glass, and cut to sparkle like a diamond.
Stud Earrings This refers to small earrings which just rest against the ear.
Teardrop This term refers to an earring which is an elongated shape and resembles a teardrop.