The Wonderful World Of Earrings 

Few fashion accessories make as much of an impact as earrings. One of the earliest forms of jewelry, earrings were first designed by ancient cultures. Impressive examples of gold hoops and other more elaborate earring styles were found in the Egyptian king Tutankhamun's gold encrusted tomb. To this day, earrings remain in the forefront of fashion. 

Like lipstick, earrings are a beauty basic that make you feel pulled together and "dressed," even when accenting the most casual attire. Because of their close proximity to the face, earrings can light up a woman's complexion, draw attention to her eyes or change the tone of an outfit almost single-handedly. Although the design options are literally endless, there are several core styles that are "workhorse pieces": the ones that take a woman from day to evening and are appropriate for a variety of outfits and occasions. 

An earring is a piece of jewelery that is worn on the ear. Earrings are often made out of metal but can also be made out of bone or similar hard material. Earrings are worn by both genders, although they are generally more commonly worn by women.

Earrings are attached to the ear through a piercing in the earlobe or some other external part of the ear, except in the case of a clip earring, which clips onto the lobe. Common locations other than the earlobe for piercings include the Rook, Tragus, or across the Helix. The simple term "ear piercing" usually refers to an earlobe piercing, whereas piercings in the upper part of the external ear are often referred to as "cartilage piercings." Cartilage piercings are more complex to perform than earlobe piercings, and take longer to heal.

Earring components can be made out of any number of materials, including metal, glass, precious stones and beads. Earring designs can range from small loops or studs to large plates or dangling items. Earring size is generally limited by the physical capacity of the earlobe to hold the earring without tearing. People who habitually wear heavy earrings may find that over time, the earlobe and piercing stretch.

Earrings are worn around the world in most cultures, both currently and historically. In many cultures, it is common to pierce the ears of young girls soon after birth. This has become somewhat controversial because of its involuntary nature. Although not as common as with females, ear piercing among males has also become popular in North America and Europe.