2023 Jewellery Trends & History - Part 1 - Hoop Earrings

April 17, 2023

Featured image: Sumerian Nubia earrings, first recorded hoop earrings - aren't they just beautiful 😍

You are in the right place if you are looking for new ideas and inspiration to add to your jewellery collection this year 😊.

In a 5 part series I will be highlighting Ingrini’s favorite Forbes’ and Cosmopolitan’s 2023 jewellery predictions, and also take a look into the history.

A personal observation:
2023’s trends have millennial and boomer influence.

Now now, hear me out 😊

It’s funny to say this today, because my mom told me the same thing when bell-bottoms appeared in the 90’s. It’s nothing new in the sense of it being an all time first, in fact a lot of trends are repeats. Teen me was confused and slightly offended because there were a lot of us thinking, we did it first.

And yet here we are today, when trended trends keep trending.

Hoops.
One minute they in, the next they out and then forgotten. And yet time and time again, prove that they are timeless.

Please note, this is the history of the Hoop Earring. The earliest traces of jewellery have been traced to the Mediterranean around 3000 to 400 B.C.

This colour indicates the times when hoop earrings were trending.

The history of Hoop Earrings

2500 B.C
The earliest archaeological evidence of hoop earrings are moon-shaped gold hoops worn by Sumerian women in Nubia, an African civilisation known as Sudan.

1500 B.C
Egyptian men and women wore twisted gold wire beaded hoops. They believed earrings enhanced a person's beauty.

1000 B.C
Gold, silver and bronze hoop earrings spread to cultures around the world. Etruscan (ancient Italy) and Greek goldsmiths brought new variations on the hoop earring incorporating embellishments.

330 B.C
Hoop earrings became artistically and decoratively refined by twisted gold hoops with animal finials - a decorative element on the top or end of an object.

1600’s
Europe saw a decline in earrings because of elaborate hairstyles, headpieces and high collared clothing that covered the ears.

Note: Girl with a Pearl Earring - dated 1665

1700’s
Small, pear-shaped pearl earrings became more popular than hoops. Men began cutting back on wearing earrings and would instead only wear one, in one ear.

1800’s
Light hoop earrings became popular and fashion trends then replicated historical styles inspired by Roman cultures that led to a popularity in large, gold hoops.

1900’s
At the end of the 1800’s, when the neoclassical* style of dress and simpler hairstyles came into fashion, earrings became lighter and simpler, or not worn at all. Matched sets of jewellery, known as parures* gained new importance. The sets included a necklace or brooch and earrings, but could also include bracelets, buckles, and a tiara or tiara-comb.

*neoclassical style - inspiration from classical antiquity
*parures - a set of various items of matching jewellery

Many woman stopped wearing earrings as it was seen as barbaric and/or not quite respectable.

The following years, earrings transformed throughout the world.

1908
Small pendant earrings return including small stones like diamonds and pearls.

1910s
The earring revival continues assisted by the rise of costume jewellery.

1920s
Earrings are almost universal and range from hoops to pendant earrings with Spanish inspiration.

1930s
Clip-on earrings arrive as a response to small fitting hats and the return of the high, tied and ruffled collar.

1940s
Clips and screw backs with matching brooches trend along with padded shoulders.

1950s
A matching set including a choker necklace and button earrings were the look. However, during this time a wider range of materials like plastic, rhinestones, beads and faux pearls entered the fashion world.

1960s
Earrings were one of the most important accessories and were designed to be worn alone. Big plastic hoop earrings were one of the signature styles.

1950s - 1960s - Marilyn Monroe an American actress, model, and singer became one of the most popular icons

1970s
Large costume jewellery disappeared and the natural look was in fashion, including small, delicate earrings. It was also in this time that earrings for men returned after a 300 year absence.

1980s
Large, chunky button and flashy pendant hoop earrings return along with bold shapes and colours, padded shoulders, high volume hairstyles and dramatic makeup.

1990s
Silver brushed, elegant earrings succeed the 80s earrings, but at the same time fashion turns towards simple, versatile clothes that can be dressed up or down by unusual or elaborate earrings.

Since the 1990s earring styles have evolved and historical trends have taken on the fashion world, but not one has really dominated the industry. While trends did come and go, earrings became a form of self-expression, individuality, culture - that’s special.

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