The Ear Studs ......An Illusory Sparkle.

The ear stud from ancient times is a unique creative concept conceptualized ever since the creation of jewellery.  In the repertoire of jewellery it holds its own classic position as an illusory piece of ornament. 

Sitting on the earlobe the stud creates an illusion of a sparkle on either sides of the face. Studs are usually gems set in precious metal that flush into the earlobe as though they are afloat on the cartilage.

In ancient India the stud had always been flaunted by both men and women for centuries, but with the colonization of India and western fashion styles emulated by Indians, the stud in the nineteenth and part of the twentieth century was worn only by women in the urban areas. 

 In rural India the stud generally made a fashion statement in gold or silver. The glow of these precious metals lent a subtle sparkle to the face of the villagers. Flushed into the earlobes they were generally a blob of an ornament that cleverly showed no other part of its mechanism which was hidden behind the earlobe. 

Down the centuries as cities were built and people got richer the gold or silver stud was replaced by precious gems. Single gems like rubies, sapphires, emerald, coral, and  pearl were worn for their astrological influences.

The nine gems of the Nakshatra or planetary representations; were used as studs to adorn and touch the human body at all times to maintain peace balance and harmony in life.                                 

Innovative designs saw the stud change as time marched on. Maintaining its limited form; the genius of the artistic flair of the designer saw the stud transform into various floral and geometrical patterns of the stars and planets in intricate and delicate creations. 

The wealthy preferred to wear single large gems as studs making a status statement on their earlobes. Only a wealthy woman could sport a single gem be it a ruby emerald sapphire or diamond considering the value of these singular gems.  

Ear studs also lead to a unique idea of wearing a single gem as a drop around the neck and a rock on the finger to compliment the bejewelled ears.

A favorite stud worn the world over, was and still is the pearl. The austere pearl is a gem of class, dignity, and majesty; the pride of a woman. Sitting on the earlobes it sparkles in a subtle way adding grace and charm to the beauty of a woman. 

This ornament led to the creation of the most precious and expensive of all studs.....the SOLITAIRE DIAMOND. 

The ear stud is a piece of jewellery which enhances not only the status of a woman but also lends a twinkling sheen to her mystery!