How to Take Care of Your Earrings
Earrings are an essential accessory for many people. For some, they’re a way to express their personality and style; for others, they’re a symbol of strength or power.
Although earrings were in and out of fashion throughout history, they have made a big comeback over the past few decades. Men can wear them in both ears, and they have a wide range of designs to choose from.
Origins
Earrings have a long and rich history. They originated in Asia 7000 years ago and became an important part of fashion and social status. They were also a symbol of wealth and power, especially in ancient Egypt and Asia, where members of higher classes wore earrings set with pearls, topaz, sapphire, and garnet.
There are a number of different theories as to how earrings came into existence. Some suggest that they were a sign of wealth and status, while others believe they were used to bar the way for evil spirits. They were also believed to cure headaches and strengthen weak eyes.
The earliest evidence of earrings comes from the Sumerian culture, where women wore gold hoop earrings and men studs. The first recorded instance of a man wearing earrings was Abraham Isaac who gave his fiancee Rebekah a Shanf, which means “golden earring.”
In the Bible, gold earrings were worn as a symbol of wealth and power. They were given to children, and Aaron instructed the Israelites to melt their wives, sons and daughters’ earrings into a golden calf. It was believed that the earring represented God’s blessing and protection and was a sign of the Israelites’ descent from Egypt.
During the 16th century, pearl earrings were very popular among women and men, particularly among those who sailed and sailed frequently on ships. They were a common adornment for seafarers and survivors of shipwrecks.
Later, ear piercing was forbidden by the Catholic Church for many centuries, as it conflicted with the idea that humans should not alter their bodies to look different from God’s design. However, it remained popular among pirates and thieves who considered it an emblem of their class.
They were also a way for people to show their abhorrence for society. Peasants would pierce the ear of the last male child in their family or a child who was born after the death of another. This was considered a symbol of family loyalty and a sign that they would not be allowed to participate in any wars, as this could end their line of descent forever.
Styles
There are a variety of styles that earrings come in. From delicate studs to glam chandeliers, earrings can add the perfect finishing touch to an outfit. They can be worn with a formal dress or casual tee and jeans.
The first step in finding the right style of earrings is to determine your face shape. There are several earring shapes that can flatter different face shapes and help to enhance your best features.
Round faces, for example, tend to look their best with hoop earrings as they elongate the face and draw attention to the eyes. They can also be complemented by long dangle earrings that accentuate the cheekbones.
Another way to accentuate your Earrings face is by wearing earrings with a large gemstone. Diamonds are a popular choice, but gemstones of various colors can be used as well.
Alternatively, you can try a drop or chandelier style that dangles from the ear lobe and is suspended from a post. This style is perfect for glamorous evening looks and can be embellished with stones or other precious gems.
If you want a more minimal look, try huggies, which are tiny, dangling earrings that fit snugly around the earlobe. They are also a popular choice for everyday wear, especially when paired with a tee and jeans.
You can also choose mismatched earrings that consist of one basic stud and one dangling design. This type of earring is a trendy way to break the traditional earring trends.
For a more bohemian feel, you can try fringe and tassel earrings. They bring a youthful, playful attitude to any outfit and can be dressed up or down depending on your preferences.
In addition to a wide range of earring types, you should also consider the type of earring backs that you prefer. There are a few options to choose from, including wire hooks, long hooks, lever backs and latch backs.
While each earring style has its own pros and cons, you should try all of them on to see which one you like the best. Once you’ve narrowed down your favorites, you can start putting them to work in your closet.
Materials
Jewelry-making is an art, and it’s important to use high quality materials when creating your jewelry. Fortunately, there are many options to choose from.
The first thing to consider when choosing a material for earrings is what it is made of and whether it’s hypoallergenic or not. This is an important consideration for anyone with sensitive ears, as it will reduce the risk of any allergic reactions that may occur when wearing your earrings.
For example, gold is naturally occurring and has a low potential for skin irritation. It’s also a popular choice because it is soft and malleable enough to shape and mold into jewelry without becoming too brittle or hard to wear.
Another metal that is often used in making earrings is silver. This is a soft and malleable metal that is easily formed into shapes and is usually combined with other elements such as crystals or diamonds to add more appeal to the earrings.
Earrings can be crafted from a variety of different materials, including wire and beads. Beads are available in a variety of styles, colors, and sizes, and can be used to create any kind of design you want.
Wire can be made from aluminum, copper, or even silver, and is a versatile option for any jewelry-making project. It’s especially useful in the case of earrings, since it can be threaded through earring posts and chains to create beautiful designs that won’t rust or break.
Glass is another inorganic, non-metallic material that can be used to make earrings. These simple-looking materials can be styled in a number of ways and look great with just about any outfit.
Pearls are another popular material that is used to make earrings. They come in a variety of colors and can be used to add that extra touch of glamour to any outfit.
Polymer clay, or Fimo, is a versatile material that can be used to make earrings and other types of jewelry. It can be molded into any shape, and is incredibly inexpensive to work with.
The other common material for earring-making is plastic. This is a safe alternative to metals and won’t corrode, but some earrings may be made from allergenic materials such as nickel. If you’re concerned about allergies, choose plastic earrings with backs or posts that are hypoallergenic and don’t contain nickel.
Care
The most obvious reason to take care of earrings is to ensure that they last for as long as possible. But it’s also important to maintain their luster, because over time they get tarnished and dull by the constant accumulation of dirt, sweat, hair spray, oils, makeup products, and other things.
Taking the time to clean your earrings is easy and inexpensive, especially with a few simple supplies that you’re likely already have in your home. Jewelry designer Jessica D’Amico of Lady J +1 suggests several tried-and-true tricks for keeping your jewelry looking its best, including the following:
1 Soak them in warm water and a little mild dish soap (like Dove or Olay) for at least 30 minutes to help wash away dirt and sanitize them. Use a soft toothbrush to scrub out any debris, and then rinse them well.
2 For metal and costume earrings, a solution of hydrogen peroxide will do wonders for cleaning them up, too. Just fill a small glass or plastic container half-way with the cleaning solution and let Earrings them soak for about 20 minutes, or overnight if they’ve been heavily soiled.
3 For sterling silver, Louisa Schenider of Rowan at-home piercing says it’s safe to clean them by using a special cleaning wipe. The wipes are specially formulated to be gentle enough for precious metals, but strong enough to remove oxidation or discoloration from your silver earrings, without damaging them.
4. For pearls, a simple solution of mild dish soap and warm water should be all that’s needed to keep them pristine, she adds. She recommends drying them off with a soft, dry cloth before putting them back in your ears or storing them.
5. For Blomdahl medical plastic earrings, strong cleaning agents like rubbing alcohol should be avoided as they may make the plastic brittle and discoloured, she warns.
Earrings are prone to becoming contaminated with bacteria, which can cause ear infections and swelling of the earlobes. Fortunately, most infections can be treated with antiseptic or antibiotic ointment, but in case of a severe infection you’ll need to consult your doctor.
