
Juliana earring styles consisted of rhinestones and jewels arranged in clusters, cascades, or clumps sometimes with dangling jewels swaying freely. The majority of Juliana clip-on earrings had paddle backs screw backs are rare, so be careful to authenticate claims when possible. Juliana pieces are noted for having hardware that assists collectors in identifying genuine pieces from the fakes. Most of these were made in the 1940s, but some styles continued on into the early 1960s.Įisenberg & Sons created a line of sterling silver earrings set with citrine (a type of Quartz), which Eisenberg branded as “Topaz Quartz.” Their charming enameled pieces from the 1970s include the hand-painted, 18-carat gold earrings that were part of the Artists Series. "Jelly Bellies" get their name from their transparent Lucite bellies which have both beautiful and whimsical qualities. Vintage Designers of NoteĬoro’s Corocraft and Vendome lines of jewelry were best known for their Jelly Belly pins, but many of these pins were sold with a coordinating set of earrings. In magnetic closures, the magnets are set into the front and the back of the earring using magnets with opposite polarity on either side of the earlobe. These are quite comfortable clips, but neither is used for large or heavy earrings. They are similar to the simple clip but incorporates a friction hinge as the mechanism. Post-less Omega clips and the Monet clip are commonly referred to as “friction clips”. This closure must be screwed into place when wearing, but the advantage is that they are easily adjusted to the desired level of comfort and security. The tightness can be adjusted by loosening the center tab.Ī U-shaped hinge clip that slides over the ear lobe that is adjusted to the correct tightness at the hinge, or they may just fall off. A wide, paddle-shaped hinge clip that folds up to attach tightly to the earlobe. The following styles are some of the most frequently found clip-on earring types: The purer silver and gold which was used in the early part of the 20th century had rhodium and palladium added during the latter half of the century.Ĭlip-on earrings of every style depend on some closure, clasp or clip that attaches it to the earlobe. The type of metal the earrings are made of can also give clues that will help identify the date of manufacture. The paddle back and simple clip versions were the next styles introduced in the 1930s. Screw back closures were the first closure types created for clip-ons. The 1920s and 1930s often featured Art Deco-inspired geometric designs while more feminine floral designs began to take over in the 1940s and on into the 1950s. The evolution of style trends through the decades is often noticeable when shopping for vintage clip-on earrings. The clip-on trend continued to be the fashion throughout most of the 20th century and as a result, vintage clip-on earrings are still widely available ranging in style from the 1920s through the Great Depression and the Second World War. Diamante clip-on earrings became prevalent in the 1920s due to their simple, elegant styling. The crystal chandelier style of clip-on earrings is now considered an icon of Victorian-era fashion.Ĭlip-on earrings enjoyed another surge in popularity during the 1920s when the short, boy-like hairstyles worn by flappers offered ear embellishments to become a focal point once again. This new design allowed people to decorate their ears without the “disgrace” of piercing holes in their ear lobes. As the 20th century began, a solution was engineered with the invention of clip-on earrings. Earrings now re-emerged as a fashionable accessory, but Victorians believed that piercing the flesh was uncivilized. During the mid-19th century, women abandoned the bonnets that had been in fashion and began styling their hair up. The 19th century was a critical moment in the course of earring history. These details will help make your shopping experience more efficient. Before delving into the world of vintage clip-on earrings, it is important to know exactly what it is you are looking for in terms of style, closure, and period. By choosing vintage clip-on earrings, you will be exposed to styles that are no longer available in stores today. The variety of styles available in clip-on earrings can match those offered for pierced ears. Whether you have pierced ears or not, there is no need to forgo style. Either way, due to their size, earrings are often an affordable path to starting a vintage costume jewelry collection. Some vintage earrings were part of a matching set with coordinating pins or necklaces while others were created to stand alone as accents to an ensemble. Earrings are the definitive eye-catching accessory, and vintage costume jewelry earrings are a classic choice when looking to add some sparkle to your wardrobe.
