A quick look through current fashion and style magazines or websites would show many variations of one type of earring – the chandelier earring. A popular way to wear earrings in India and the Middle East for many centuries, the style is just beginning to take hold in the United States.Beginning with the 2008 awards season the earrings have increased in popularity, and they appeared in the ears of new First Lady Michelle Obama on the evening of the Inaugural Ball.
What is so great about chandelier earrings is their incredible flexibility. While they are suitable for any sort of metal or stone, the majority appearing are heavily adorned in diamonds. Why is that? It is because of the special glitter and fluidity that only diamonds provide to a piece of jewelry.
Generally, the chandelier style is a long and dangling creation. This can be used to create some remarkable effects. For example, at the recent Golden Globes ceremony actress Kate Beckinsale sported an enormous pair of “joomkas” or chandelier earrings crafted from silver, diamonds and rubies. With her hair pulled back in a tight chignon style bun, the earrings emphasized her graceful neck and high cheekbones and served to enhance her complexion.
Of course such a dramatic effect is not the only result of choosing to wear chandelier earrings either. For instance on election night Michelle Obama had a long pair of chandelier earrings with tiny diamonds and these were widely discussed for their elegance and beauty even though her hair hung freely and her overall “look” was not dramatic. For this event the chandelier earrings served to emphasize First Lady Obama’s elegance and chic style.
Clearly chandelier earrings are a remarkably versatile piece of jewelry if designed well and worn with the appropriate ensemble. Additionally, even those full of diamonds can be worn casually or to formal events and this is probably the reason for their long history of wear in India.
So, if they are so popular they must be quite expensive? Actually, there are hundreds of options in chandelier style earrings and they are quite affordable. Because they cannot be weighted down by the diamonds, the stones are relatively small and can be incredibly reasonable in their pricing. Additionally the price can vary on the quality of the stones selected. For instance, the same exact style of chandelier earrings may have a huge difference in total cost if a lower quality of stone is selected. Price can also be reduced by choosing a less costly metal rather than a lesser quality diamond.
Are chandelier earrings appropriate for attending a wedding? Definitely! They are made in every kind of metal, ranging from yellow and white gold to silver, copper, bronze and even platinum. They can be found in styles that match almost any outfit, and their draping and fluid appearance make them particularly well suited to formal events where gowns or dresses will be worn. Alternately, they can also help feminize a pants suit or any other outfit. Consider actress Taraji P. Henson whose long simple dress was perfectly balanced by her use of shoulder grazing diamond chandelier earrings at the 66th Golden Globes ceremony in 2009. Though she is a petite person and had a floor length gown, the earrings made her appear to have a significantly longer stature and really “formalized” what was not the most stylish or outstanding dress.
Of course the history of the chandelier style of earring also means it can create a real “statement” when paired with the right outfit. Again at the Golden Globes this year (2009) perennial favorite actress Drew Barrymore seemed to be channeling the late Marilyn Monroe in a dreamy pale blue gown, big teased up hair and drop-dead gorgeous diamond pendant style chandelier earrings. They were both loved and hated by the fashion observers, with some calling them “door knockers” and others proclaiming them “perfect”. Either way, they were a real fashion statement and a unique use of the chandelier style of diamond earring.
Do traditional jewelry shops sell them? Absolutely, and a quick look in a popular store will instantly reveal just how flexible the chandelier format can be. Of course it is important to remember that the majority of chandeliers will be set with diamonds, so it will pay to have a little bit of background about diamond values and quality before heading to purchase a pair of chandelier earrings. Also remember that many department stores have jewelry counters as well and if budget constraints will limit choices, these tend to be a more affordable option. Again, it is still a wise idea to be aware of what quality and cut should cost before investing in a diamond of any kind.
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