unconventional earrings?

[KittyT]

Hey there ladies, while browsing around ebay, I found an unconventional set of ear decorations and now my curiosity is piqued! I've never seen anything like this and was unable to find any reference to this type of jewelry on the Interweb. They wrap around the ear, it seems. Does anyone have any photos of someone wearing something similar? Anyone familiar with this style and happen to know what time period it's from or how common it was? Thanks!

 

[Miss Brill]

Those are so pretty, I've never seen anything like them. I had no idea they made them like that, I've seen modern ones that go around the ear, but I thought it was a new invention.

 

[KittyT]

Those are so pretty, I've never seen anything like them. I had no idea they made them like that, I've seen modern ones that go around the ear, but I thought it was a new invention.

Do you know what they're called or know of any sites that sell the modern ones? I don't even know what words to use when searching!

 

[Lady Day]

They might be used to hold a vail or lace around the head in place. [huh] Can you post a pic of how they are worn?

LD

 

[Miss Brill]

Do you know what they're called or know of any sites that sell the modern ones? I don't even know what words to use when searching!

I think they are called ear hooks.

 

[KittyT]

They might be used to hold a vail or lace around the head in place. [huh] Can you post a pic of how they are worn?

Lady Day, I want to know too but can't find any pictures of how they're worn. The Ebay seller doesn't have any either.

I think they are called ear hooks.

Yes, that's all I've seen. However, searching for "ear hooks" only pulls up results for French hooks for earrings.

 

[Miss Brill]

Yes, that's all I've seen. However, searching for "ear hooks" only pulls up results for French hooks for earrings.

I found these on eBay, but I mostly found French hooks too.


Searching for "over the ear earrings" brought up this.


and these

 

[KittyT]

and these

thank you! Good lord those are gorgeous!!!!

At least I know now that they were around as early as 1950.

 

[Miss Brill]

Did you bid on them? They must be pretty rare.

 

[KittyT]

Did you bid on them? They must be pretty rare.

Not yet. I will, however, be attempting to acquire them.

 

[ohairas]

Oooh, prettttty!

Today they're usually called ear cuffs. Or ear bands, ear wraps...
Here's a site with some modern ones.
http://www.lenusa.com/

But like you, I wanna see them on a 50's person!
Nikki

 

[ohairas]

These are so friggin cool!
http://www.lenusa.com/site/771724/product/MMDragonSSL

Makes me wanna dress all fairy/goth like and that's not me, ha!
Nikki

 

[ohairas]

Here's some more. Now these are a bit much I think! They cover the entire ear.. would look rather "beam me up" wouldn't they?!

“Honking” Large Clear Diamante Ear Cuffs

These earrings are unique! The are so large they fit over the entire ear and to do so they have a ear piece that hangs on the ear, plus a clip. They measure 2 ¬?‚Äù by 1 ¬?‚Äù. They are set in rhodium silver tone and the rhinestones are all magnificent! Wonder who produced these? They are really grand!

Order Number: # eccuff Price $75.00
http://www.icecricket.com/eccuff.html

 

[KittyT]

I recently came across 2 pair of these in an antique mall up in Vermont a few weeks ago. They were $4/pr so needless to say, I had to have them! I've sort of been on a binge lately researching and trying to acquire them, but gosh are they hard to find!

This design was popularized (though how popular it was, I don't know) by Marcel Boucher, a French jeweler who started working for Cartier in the 1920s. He started his own jewelry company in Manhattan in 1937 and continued designing and producing jewelry until his death in 1964. The company was left to his wife, Sandra, who ran it until 1972. His designs are known for their high quality, use of colorful stones, exquisite detail, and innovative three-dimensionality.

Everything I've found points to this particular style of earring being introduced around 1950.

For those who were wondering previously, here are some ads I found that show how they were worn.

Here are some that I've acquired recently -

My most recent acquisition! They are quite large and I can't wait to wear them. They are missing a couple of rhinestones, which I hope to replace in the near future. I found these for a whopping $1.04!

There are 2 more pair that I'll post pictures of later.

Here are photos of some of the more exquisite ones I've found in my online searches -

Some stunning Marcel Boucher designs

 

[Puzzicato]

Wow! They are really clever - you wouldn't get as much drag on your ear as a clip on!

 

[KittyT]

Wow! They are really clever - you wouldn't get as much drag on your ear as a clip on!

They can be tricky. You have to bend them quite a bit to fit your ear and not stick out in funny ways, but they're pretty fun.

Here are some more designs -

I bid on these but alas, they went for $125!

by Bogoff

More Boucher-

I believe these are also Boucher, but I'm not sure

Weiss got in on the action too-

Alas, I would die for these-

Reverse carved glass by Juliana

 

[KittyT]

More of my favorites

Interesting, with a ceramic flower! These aren't being worn correctly btw

Some of them are hinged -

And some have clips on the bottom to secure them-

Uhhhh...

 

[Octavia]

Wow, these are neat! How comfortable are they? Those huge pearl ones don't look too comfy, but the last ones with the wings - I think you could take flight with those. lol I'd love to snag a pair.

 

[KittyT]

Wow, these are neat! How comfortable are they? Those huge pearl ones don't look too comfy

They're pretty comfy once you manage to get them bent properly to your shape.

The pearl ones are apparently pretty light.

 

[Lauren]

Ok, those are beyond awesome.