There is a piece of jewelry that has gained a lot of prominence in recent months and has emerged as one of the favorite trends among women of all styles. In fact, although it is associated with a rebellious and rock-inspired image, we have seen women such as Princess Leonor turn to it to add a modern, yet elegant touch to every look.
We’re talking about the ear cuff, that earring that hugs the rim of the ear without necessarily requiring a piercing, which looks very modern and sophisticated, but actually has ancient antecedents. It is a piece that has made a comeback in the present, but its origins date back to the Greek and Roman world.
And indeed, the idea of adorning the ear’s pavilion by surrounding it or attaching to it appears in different cultures for centuries. As we said, already in Greek and Roman history, there were pieces that were placed around different areas of the ear and intricate jewelry that combined earrings and elements that traversed the pavilion.
On the other hand, in India, traditional ear jewelry developed especially elaborate forms: some pieces connected the lobule to the upper part of the ear through chains and ornamental structures. Also, in other Asian cultures, adornments were used that extended jewelry beyond the simple ear piercing.
The Princess Leonor with an ear cuff.
These are the antecedents of the idea as we conceive it today. Because it wasn’t until the 20th century, a moment when jewelry began to experiment with designs that could transform the silhouette of the ear without resorting to multiple piercings, that the modern version appeared.
The influencer María Fernández-Rubíes with an ear cuff.
In a century in which different versions have emerged. For example, in the 1980s and 1990s, the ear cuff acquired a strong association with the punk, rock, gothic, and alternative aesthetics. It was perfect for creating the appearance of multiple piercings without having to pierce the ear.
Isabelle Junot with an ear cuff by Paulet.
Then, during the 2000s and 2010s, it gradually moved from alternative circuits to commercial jewelry and runways. Today, it makes a strong comeback, becoming a much more sophisticated piece with options ranging from small minimalist hoops to true metal structures that traverse the entire ear. These are some of our favorite examples.
Para las que buscan algo original y que no pase desapercibido, el ear cuff de plata con un diseño tweed de Marina García. Es de plata de primera ley (925) bañada en oro amarillo de 18kt. Para las que prefieren algo sencillo, el de Singularu, de forma irregular y con circonitas, o el de Agtaha, con textura.
