Beloved since the 1930s, clip-on pearl earrings continue to be worn to this day.
However, real pearl clip-on earrings are usually very expensive – especially as they’re less popular today than they once were, due to pierced earrings being seen as ‘not done’ for several centuries. You’ll typically only find real pearl clip-on earrings from fine jewellery houses, or as imitation jewellery.
At Coleman Douglas Pearls, we’ve got a selection of real pearl clip-on earrings thoughtfully designed to ensure maximum comfort without having to sacrifice luxury. Read on to find out more about the history and growing appeal of clip-on pearl earrings.
A brief history of clip-on earrings
The history of clip-on earrings is impossible to distinguish from the history of earrings themselves.
Earrings have been a well-loved type of jewellery for thousands of years. Europe’s oldest and best-preserved human mummy – known as Ötzi for the location of his finding in the Ötztal Alps – had pierced ears. Assumed to have lived circa 3300 BCE, the Neolithic Ötzi wasn’t the only prehistoric person to have their ears pierced.
As many as 4,000 years ago, earrings were worn in civilisations in Asia and the Middle East. The Ancient Persians, Egyptians and Romans all wore decorative earrings.
In fact, the historian Pliny describes how Cleopatra owned a pair of pearl earrings that she removed and dissolved in vinegar as a sign of her great wealth.
The Ancient Romans pierced the ears of their slaves to demarcate them, whilst patricians wore stately ear decorations as a status symbol. From this time on the stigma of a pierced ear started.
The popularity of wearing earrings rose and fell throughout the ensuing years according to fashion trends of the time, as well as wider cultural practices.
In medieval Edinburgh, for example, if you were caught stealing, they would nail your ear to the wooden doors of Mercat Cross in the city centre. To escape, you would have to rip your ear free, causing significant damage and pain!
By the Victorian period, piercing one’s ears was considered uncivilised and even vulgar, but the desire to wear evermore elegant jewellery rose. This conflict ultimately led to the invention of the screw back earrings, where you had to endlessly turn the screw to tighten the earring on your lobe, and create the correct tension, these however had a tendency to fall off as the screw mechanism would loosen. Then the clip-on earring were introduced in the early twentieth century to the sigh of relief of many women.
To clip-on or not to clip-on – why wear clip-on earrings?
There are many benefits to clip-on earrings.
For one, they’re great for people who haven’t had their ears pierced but still want to wear ear jewellery. They’re also highly suitable for those with metal allergies.
Similarly, sometimes an ear’s piercing hole can expand over time, especially if the wearer often chooses particularly heavy earrings. Using clip on earrings whilst these holes heal over can be a great alternative that won’t cause further damage whilst still allowing for ear decoration and embellishment.
Real pearl clip-on earrings
Freshwater pearl clip-on stud earrings
Enduringly versatile, choose from our four real freshwater pearl clip-on earrings for a little everyday elegance.
Keep it classic with a white freshwater pearl pair worn with a complementary white pearl necklace for workwear.
Alternatively, choose a modish set of clip-on pearl earrings by opting for our black freshwater pearl large clip-on stud earrings. Black jewellery consistently features as one of the top jewellery trends for autumn 2024, Why not style our clip-on pearl earrings with a black pearl pendant for a sultry evening look?
We also have the same real pearl clip-on earrings design in pink freshwater pearl and grey freshwater pearl, for those who want options beyond classic monochrome.
Freshwater pearl short and long ‘twinkling light’ clip-on earrings
Inspired by the twinkling lights of boats out to sea, our selection of real freshwater pearl clip-on earrings all create a fluid, eye-catching movement. Plus, they’re available in shorter and longer designs to match your preference.
Keep to aqueous tones by choosing our grey freshwater pearl and aquamarine ‘twinkling light’ clip-on earrings. Wear with a matching design like our Tahitian and South Sea pearl and aquamarine necklace for a glamorous look.
The atmospheric tones of our two alternative short clip-on pearl earrings will catch the light of a candle burning through evening drinks.
Choose the peacock black tones of our black freshwater pearl and amethyst clip on short earrings worn with matching black multi-coloured pearl and semi-precious stone ‘abstract’ bracelet.
We also have the same design in both longer and shorter lengths. Combining black freshwater pearls and rock crystal, both the short clip-on pearl earrings and longer design of the same will glimmer like fishermen’s boats at sea. Wear with the matching black freshwater pearl and rock crystal ‘twinkling light’ necklace.
Alternatively, pair our black freshwater pearl and labradorite clip-on short earrings with our striking black freshwater pearl, labradorite and rose quartz design.
Sculpted silver and real pearl clip-on earrings
The textured-hammered finish of a design like our white freshwater pearl and sculpted silver earring catches the light to really enhance the wearer’s natural beauty.
Pared-back enough to work for weekend brunch, but elegant enough to be worn at a work event, these clip-on pearl earrings come in three colours.
Wear our grey freshwater pearl and sculpted silver earrings with a single strand grey pearl necklace like our grey freshwater large pearl necklace to complement a crisp work suit.
Meanwhile, our pink freshwater pearl and sculpted silver earrings are ideal casual smart fare – especially when paired with a pink pearl bracelet or two.
For a touch of opulence
Our Tahitian Pearl Clip On 'Huggies' can be easily styled with other darker-toned pieces, including Tahitian pearl jewellery - such as this Silver-Black Tahitian Pearl Necklace.
Design your own real pearl clip-on earrings
Customise a pair of clip-on pearl earrings of your very own by booking into a bespoke pearl jewellery consultation.
At Coleman Douglas Pearls we can adapt almost all of our pearl earring designs to a clip-on combination as we’ll combine our expertise with your distinctive vision, creating a design to help you feel beautifully confident in perfectly matched pearls.
