Jewellery Odyssey:
Throughout the history of jewellery, earrings have been worn across many ancient civilisations and cultures, by both women and men. Archeologists have discovered that over 5,000 years ago, the ancient Sumerians would often import gold or silver (from modern day Iran and Turkey) along with lapis lazuli (Afghanistan) and carnelian (India), to embellish their intricate jewellery designs. During this era it was fashionable for both men and women to wear earrings.
Located on the Greek Island of Crete, the beautiful, colourful and expressive Aegean culture, thrived during the Bronze Age Greece (c. 3100 BCE - c. 1100 BCE). Minoan women used fashion, hair and jewellery such as hoop earrings, for a decorative and bold statement.
From being commonly worn by Ancient Egyptian children, to the upper classes of the Roman Empire, earrings continued to remain a favourable accessory. During the renaissance epoch, smaller earrings including baroque pearls, were famously seen being worn by both men and women. The ornate, opulent and chandelier design of Girandole earrings, during the Georgian period, were extravagantly heavy. In contrast, single stone solitaire earrings rose to prominence, towards the end of the Victorian era.
Within the last 100 years, the design of earrings have been influenced by art nouveau, art deco, retro, modern and contemporary periods. Culminating in a diverse range of earrings styles with multiple piercing options. It has never been more exciting to curate your earring style!
Gem Lore:
Cubic Zirconia - is a synthetic gemstone made from a composition of zirconium dioxide and in its colourless form, is most often used as a simulant for diamonds. Cz’s possess the optical effect of fire more strongly than diamonds, which is the ability of a material to split light into spectral colours. The artificial gemstone can be made in a rainbow of colours from: yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, violet, blue, green and brown. The modern period, which took place between the 60’s and 80’s, saw the dawn of a hybrid collection between fine and costume jewellery. When artificial gemstones were married together with precious gemstones and metals, making jewellery more affordable for everyone to wear.