Omega Clip Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern More Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Clip-on Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings
18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Italian Clip-on Earrings
18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Platinum, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern More Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hoop Earrings
18k Gold
20th Century American Regency Clip-on Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary American Clip-on Earrings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Amethyst, Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Stud Earrings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Stud Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Clip-on Earrings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Clip-on Earrings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Clip-on Earrings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Clip-on Earrings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Clip-on Earrings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Retro Clip-on Earrings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 17th Century Artist Clip-on Earrings
Opal, South Sea Pearl, Blue Topaz, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Clip-on Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Clip-on Earrings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Modern Drop Earrings
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1970s Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Peridot, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Clip-on Earrings
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Amazonite, Blue Topaz, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold, Vermeil
20th Century American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Pearl, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond
2010s Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Topaz, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
20th Century Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1980s Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1970s Italian Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Modern Clip-on Earrings
Crystal, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Modern Clip-on Earrings
Crystal, Gold Plate
20th Century Clip-on Earrings
20th Century Modern Clip-on Earrings
Pearl, Gold Plate
20th Century Clip-on Earrings
20th Century Clip-on Earrings
20th Century Clip-on Earrings
Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Renaissance Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Modern Clip-on Earrings
Crystal, Gold Plate
1990s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Clip-on Earrings
20th Century Clip-on Earrings
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Omega Clip Earrings For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Omega Clip Earrings?
Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right Earrings for You
In the United States, ear piercing didn’t really become popular until the 1950s and ‘60s, but our desire for a dazzling pair of vintage earrings has deeper roots than that. In fact, wearing earrings actually goes back thousands of years, and you can find many tangible connections between now and then in how we continue to talk about these treasured accessories.
Women wore ornamental earrings — studs and hoops at the very least — in Ancient Egypt, which is home to mines that are among the earliest sources of emeralds in the world. Emerald earrings are highly prized today, and their quality lies in their rich, saturated color. The highest-quality emeralds are green or bluish-green. Earrings worn by the affluent in early Roman civilizations were set with precious stones such as diamonds and pearls, and a clean-looking pop of pearl on the front of the lobe is as timeless as ever. Hoop earrings are imbued with symbolism and cultural significance for many, and on view in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Ancient Near Eastern Art Gallery is a pair of simple gold hoops from Mesopotamia dating to between 2600 and 2500 B.C.
Today, ear piercing is very popular all over the world, and, as a result, it is difficult to overstate how much everyone pines for a good pair of earrings — modernist drop earrings, glamorous Victorian hoops, geometrically complex chandelier earrings, you name it. Sure, jewelry trends and the fashion darlings of social media come and go, but earrings have a staying power that seems impenetrable: The still-strong love affair between British royals and Cartier earrings is more than a century old, glossy 1970s hoops from legacy houses such as Bulgari and Van Cleef & Arpels remain the statement makers they’ve always been and although people have been stacking earrings for many moons, the allure of an expertly mismatched stack of charms and studs still feels fresh and new.
While there is no shortage of modern earring designs to choose from, the classics, like coral earrings, Art Deco–style earrings and diamond drop earrings are still heavy hitters. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of antique, new and vintage earrings today.
- What is an ear clip?1 AnswerRoman Malakov DiamondsMarch 22, 2021An ear clip is a type of mechanism of attaching earrings to your ear. These are typically omega-backs but without posts. Ear clips are perfect for women who do not have pierced ears.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023No, clip-on earrings don't pierce your ears. Instead of slipping through a piercing, a clip-on earring attaches to the surface of your earlobe with a fastener. Depending on the design of the earrings, the fastener may be a hinged clip, a screw, a tension bar or even a magnet. On 1stDibs, explore a large selection of clip-on earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Clip-on earrings may hurt your ears due to the tension that the backings apply on the lobes. If your earrings have adjustable backs, try fastening them less tightly to reduce discomfort. You can also purchase cushions that stick onto the backings to help ease pressure. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of clip-on earrings.
- Are clip-on earrings any good?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023Yes, many people feel that clip-on earrings are good. Clip-ons make it possible for those who don't have piercings to wear earrings every day or for special occasions. Plus, some people find clip-on earrings easier to put on and take off because they don't have to be slipped through the ear. Many antique and vintage earrings are clip-ons, so individuals who collect pieces like Victorian, Edwardian or Art Deco earrings may own several pairs. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of clip-on earrings.
- Do clip on earrings stay on?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Yes, clip-on earrings can stay on, provided they are in good condition. Over time, the clips on the earrings may loosen and no longer stay securely in place. Also, it's important to tighten the earrings properly to help them stay on. If you're concerned about slippage, look for clip-ons that have non-slip, padded clips. On 1stDibs, find a variety of clip-on earrings.
- How do clip-on earrings stay on?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023How clip-on earrings stay on comes down to their hardware. Every pair of clip-on earrings has a closure or clasp that helps to secure them in place. However, the designs vary. Options include screws, hinges, paddle backs, sliding springs and even magnets. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of clip-on earrings.
- What are French clip earrings?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023French clip earrings are a type of earring with a specific backing. The design is typically characterized by an open wire clip with a hinge that swings shut to fit over the post and rest against the back of the earlobe. A benefit of the French clip is that it helps to keep earrings from bending or shifting during wear. Explore a large selection of French clip earrings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023Clip-on earrings were popular during the 1950s and ’60s because many women didn't have their ears pierced but still wanted to wear earrings. During the 1930s, jewelry makers introduced new hinged closures for clip-ons that made the earrings easier to wear. As a result, more women found clip-on earrings to be appealing. Plus, the emergence of the middle class following World War II meant more women had expendable income to spend on luxuries like jewelry. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of clip-on earrings.
- Are clip-on earrings a thing?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 23, 2024Yes, clip-on earrings are a thing. They are earrings that feature backings that allow them to be worn on the ear, so it is possible to show off a pair without having ear piercings. Instead of slipping through a hole in the ear, clip-ons may be secured by a tension bar, a hinged clasp, a screw or even magnets. Explore a wide range of clip-on earrings on 1stDibs.
- What are earring clips called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 8, 2023Earring clips are simply called clip-on earrings or clip-ons. The first clip-on earrings were produced during the late 19th century and featured screw-back fasteners. In the 1930s, hinged clips first appeared on clip-ons, making the earrings easier to wear. As a result, clip-on earrings grew in popularity and were a major trend by the 1950s. Shop a large selection of clip-on earrings on 1stDibs.
- Why are clip-on earrings better?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 23, 2024Clip-on earrings are better for some people owing to a few reasons. For starters, the earrings are undoubtedly better for you if you’d prefer not to have your ears pierced. Some people also feel that clip-ons are easier to get on and take off. In addition, those who love antique and vintage earrings will generally find that older pieces have clip closures rather than posts. (In the United States, ear piercing didn’t really become popular until the 1950s and ‘60s.) On 1stDibs, find a large collection of clip-on earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Sometimes, people call clip-on earrings just clip-ons. Clip-on earrings also have names that describe their type. For example, hinged clip-on earrings feature a swinging clip fastener, while paddle backs have an adjustable tension bar for added security. Screw-back clips-ons must be turned to fasten. There are also slinging spring and magnetic styles. Explore a variety of clip-on earrings on 1stDibs.
- What is a clip post earring?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023A clip post earring is an earring that features a backing called a French clip. It is a hinged, open wire that slides down over the post and rests against the back of the earlobe. Due to their backings, clip post earrings are less likely to rotate or shift during wear. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of French clip earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 14, 2023A butterfly clip is a type of earring backing. It is a metal disc that rests on two loops that help stabilize and secure it. To use a butterfly clip, you simply slide it onto the round post attached to an earring. Explore a large collection of earrings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 8, 2023Yes, you can use clip-on earrings on pierced ears. The different kinds of clasps featured on clip-ons will still secure them to your earlobes if you have a piercing. However, wearing clip-ons exclusively could cause your piercings to gradually close up over time. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of clip-on earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023How you use vintage clip-on earrings depends on what type of backing they have. Some simply feature a hinged clip that you open, slip over your ear and then press gently to close. Others may require you to turn a screw or shift a tension bar. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of vintage clip-on earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023Yes, clip-on earrings are still a thing. Some makers continue to produce earrings with clip-on backs to suit the needs of those without pierced ears or who want jewelry that is easy to put on and take off. In addition, many people continue to wear antique and vintage clip-ons. On 1stDibs, explore a wide variety of clip-on earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023Most vintage earrings are clip-ons largely due to how beliefs about piercings have changed over the years. It was only during the 1980s and ’90s that many women began piercing their ears. Prior to that, many women didn't have piercings and could only wear clip-ons, so makers produced earrings to suit their customer base. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of vintage earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023Whether invisible clip-ons are comfortable is largely a matter of personal opinion. However, the clear backings that define invisible clip-ons are a form of soft, flexible resin. As a result, some people prefer how they feel against the ear compared to other clip-on earrings. Another advantage of invisible clip-ons is that the backing is difficult to see, creating the illusion that a person is wearing pierced earrings. On 1stDibs, explore a large selection of clip-on earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 8, 2023Whether clip-on earrings are better than piercings is a matter of personal opinion. People who don't wear earrings regularly may prefer clip-ons because they won't have to worry about piercings closing. Others may find that pierced earrings are more comfortable. Explore a large assortment of earrings from some of the world's top dealers on 1stDibs.
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