Stud earrings are the most enduring and easy-to-wear style there is. These seemingly simple accessories, however, have quite an interesting history. Get the fashionable and fascinating evolution of stud earrings (plus some Blue Nile customer-favorites) below.
THE INVENTION OF STUD EARRINGS
Today, studs are an essential everyday accessory. But until the late 1800’s, large, showy pendant earrings were all the rage. That changed during the late Victorian period when high-neckline dresses and choker necklaces inspired earring designs with a smaller profile. Thus, the stud earring came into style.
THE MOST POPULAR STYLE OF STUD EARRINGS: DIAMOND SOLITAIRES
Diamond Stud Earrings
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If stud earrings held court, the diamond solitaire would be king. This became the most sought-after style after the discovery of the South African diamond fields in 1867. Other innovations in cutting and mounting diamonds came soon after, allowing the stones to better show off their dazzling sparkle.
HOW TO PREVENT LOSING EARRINGS: SECURING YOUR STUDS
Peridot Rope Stud Earrings
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Insuring a fine jewelry investment was just as important in the Victorian era as it is today. New technologies developed to secure these precious accessories. Wire catches, hinges and even threaded screw backs all came on the market in short time to make sure a high-society lady came and went to the party with her precious diamond studs intact.
TOP JEWELRY TRENDS IN THE 20TH CENTURY: THE RETURN OF STUD EARRINGS
Tri-color 14k Gold Love Knot Stud Earrings
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After a brief hiatus, stud earrings returned to fashion during World War II. Keeping accessories small was practical not only for the period’s hairstyles but also for women working during wartime. That’s not to say that this era’s earrings lacked style, as designs became more colorful and intricate than ever.
A “NEW LOOK” FOR STUD EARRINGS: THE RISE OF VINTAGE-INSPIRED STYLES
Vintage-Inspired Pearl Halo Stud Earrings
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Following French designer Christian Dior’s groundbreaking “New Look” collection in 1947, fashion turned to a newly-defined yet decidedly feminine aesthetic. Delicate accessories, particularly in pearl, adorned many of the runway looks, making pearl studs wildly popular throughout the 50s’ and 60s’.
HOW TO WEAR MULTIPLE STUD EARRINGS AT ONCE
14k Gold Bar Stud Earrings
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Double and triple piercings started showing up as early as 1970 but hit the mainstream in the ‘90s. Today, the trend endures with celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Béyonce and Scarlett Johansson all sporting multiple ear piercings. They’re often snapped on the red carpet with a series of complementary or progressively smaller studs. What they (and their stylists) know for sure is that minimalism is key—keep the silhouettes simple when loading up your lobes with stud earrings. Whether you wear them solo or fully loaded, show us your stud earrings style #bluenilesparkle.
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