The origin of the earrings

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The origin of the earrings

There has always been the possibility of ordering made-to-measure jewelery to wear at large events. Tiaras, rings, bracelets and earrings have been objects that many kings and queens, millionaires and movie stars have displayed at parties, coronations and other social gatherings.

The history of the slopes It is very old, which can go back to the Bronze Age or a little further back.

Earrings, custom jewelry

There are historians who place the custom of wearing earrings in western Asia, specimens having been found in the tombs of kings in the ancient city of Ur, in Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq). The age of such earrings is 5,000 years.

However, the use of such personalized jewelry could be found in other ancient peoples, in addition to the Babylonians: Persians, Indians, Hebrews, Arabs, they also used them as talisman and protection. That is, its purposes were not merely decorative, as they would be centuries later.

Originally, earrings were worn mostly by men (although women also wore them), and were commonly gold rings that pierced the ears. It is interesting to note that the ancient Greeks forbade their use to men, that is, that only women could wear them, and that, on the contrary, the Indians only allowed their use to men.

As a talisman, whoever wears earrings would be protected from attacks and evils. But also, in many cultures, they were objects that symbolized the status and social function of the person. These circumstances required that they be jewels tailored.

In other ancient cultures, certain rings were placed on slaves, serfs or prisoners of war so that their social status was recognized. The oldest examples that are preserved are from Assyrian and Egyptian tombs, and they are hoops from which various figures hang, such as nails, half moons or glasses. Beyond its historical value, the material value is little.

We can mention a very famous pharaoh who wore them and loved them: Ramses II is said to have had thousands of earrings, so sophisticated and with such elaborate designs, that they were obviously made to measure and of great value. Of course, goldsmithing reached special levels in Greece (where only women used earrings), because the display of gold and enamels of miniature figures was impressive: flowers, fruits, birds or female heads, exquisite earrings for wealthy people .

The interesting thing about Greece is that, being true that earrings were often personalized jewelery for the richest women, their use spread to the female population, and thus less wealthy women could be seen adorned with them.

The fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of the Christian church ushered in the Middle Ages. Not everyone, of course, could order custom-made jewelry, but it was quite common for them to wear it as a normal part of their party attire.

The single women used them as elements of conquest. The more showy and ostentatious, the more they told the young man what social stratum they came from. In this sense, custom jewelry was the best way to display money. And if we talk about pirates, it was common for them to wear thick gold earrings. Some say that they used them as protection, and other historians indicate that they served to pay for their burial, in case they died without their treasures.

Personalized jewelry: today’s earrings

Today’s earrings are part of women’s attire. Their designs, shapes and materials create a trend in fashion, and they often form sets with necklaces, bracelets and rings. Its use is still decorative. Today, there is also another type of earring, which can be placed not only on the ears but also on the septum of the nose, on the navel, on the genitals or anywhere on the body. It is what is known as piercing.


In German Joyero you can find the largest catalog of gold and diamond earrings in Madrid and Valencia. In addition to our models you can customize your earrings with our 3D design service.

Av / Concha Espina 5, Madrid

C/ Colón 43, Valencia

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