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Hoops & Huggies Earrings

Huggie and hoop earrings can run the gamut from understated to over-the-top. Truly the most traditional and most likely the oldest known earring style, hoops and their diminutive lobe-hugging cousin, huggies, are a classic staple of any jewelry collection.

Hoop earrings have been identified throughout history, from the ancient Sumerians of the 3rd millennium to the European Middle Ages. These earliest hoops were simple in design, yet some cultures, such as the Greeks and Romans, experimented with inset stones to create ever more luxurious pieces.

The popularity of hoops diminished slightly during this medieval age, in part because high collars and bulky wigs made their wear difficult. With the advent of the Renaissance, however, when necklines plunges (relatively) low and hairstyles shifted upward, hoop earrings returned.

The most recent update to hoop and huggie earrings is the addition of inset stones. Much more sophisticated than their ancient predecessors, these pave stones, typically diamonds, create even more striking earrings. Smaller huggie versions that tightly cup the earlobe can offer a tiny twinkle, while larger hoops triumphantly dangle. This innovation brought with it the potential for even more striking earrings, whether they dangle from or tightly cup the earlobe.


Quick Facts

  • In ancient Egypt, it was common for all people of high social status, regardless of gender, to wear hoop earrings
  • Aristocratic women in ancient Rome ensured their portrait busts had some eternal “bling." Many of these carved marble visages included small holes in the sculpted lobes for hoop earrings made of precious materials to be attached
  • A supposed portrait of William Shakespeare, known as the “Chandos” Portrait from around 1610 and displayed in the UK’s National Portrait Gallery, shows the famous playwright sporting one gold hoop earring

Recommended Items at Auction

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7.54ct Diamond Hoop Earrings.
Feb 23, 6:00 PM AEDT
7.54ct Diamond Hoop Earrings.
by Ozbid Auctions
Est: AUD5,500- AUD6,500
AUD1,70019 Bids
4.27ct Diamond Hoop Earrings.
Feb 23, 6:00 PM AEDT
4.27ct Diamond Hoop Earrings.
by Ozbid Auctions
Est: AUD4,200- AUD5,000
AUD1,20019 Bids
3.73ct Diamond Drop Earrings.
Feb 23, 6:00 PM AEDT
3.73ct Diamond Drop Earrings.
by Ozbid Auctions
Est: AUD3,200- AUD4,000
AUD1,10018 Bids
18K Alexandrite and Diamond Hoop Earrings with COA
Feb 26, 11:00 AM EST
18K Alexandrite and Diamond Hoop Earrings with COA
by Hill Auction Gallery
Est: $400- $800
$60011 Bids
18K Yellow Gold SeidenGang Earrings with Gemstones
Feb 26, 11:00 AM EST
18K Yellow Gold SeidenGang Earrings with Gemstones
by Hill Auction Gallery
Est: $100- $1,000
$2259 Bids
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Pair of Small 14K Gold Hoop Earrings
Feb 22, 9:00 AM CST
Pair of Small 14K Gold Hoop Earrings
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$456 Bids
14K Yellow Gold and Diamond, Hoop Earrings
Feb 19, 7:00 PM AEST
14K Yellow Gold and Diamond, Hoop Earrings
by Jewellery Auctions Unlimited
Est: AUD1,900- AUD2,500
AUD2006 Bids
High Karat Yellow Gold Hoop Earrings
Feb 19, 10:00 AM PST
High Karat Yellow Gold Hoop Earrings
by Abell Auction
Est: $300- $500
$4006 Bids
THREE PAIRS OF GOLD EARRINGS
Feb 24, 6:00 PM PST
THREE PAIRS OF GOLD EARRINGS
by O'Gallerie
Est: $250- $350
$1704 Bids
Two 14 Karat Yellow Hoop Earrings
Feb 19, 10:00 AM PST
Two 14 Karat Yellow Hoop Earrings
by Abell Auction
Est: $200- $300
$2003 Bids
PAIR OF DIAMOND EARRINGS
Mar 04, 6:00 PM AEDT
PAIR OF DIAMOND EARRINGS
by Leonard Joel
Est: AUD2,000- AUD3,000
AUD1,9003 Bids
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22K YELLOW GOLD HUGGIE EARRINGS HANDCRAFTED
Mar 01, 1:00 PM EST
22K YELLOW GOLD HUGGIE EARRINGS HANDCRAFTED
by Florida Estate Sales Inc.
Est: $550- $10,000
$553 Bids
Five pairs of gold earrings
Feb 21, 9:30 AM PST
Five pairs of gold earrings
by Clars Auctions
Est: $1,000- $2,000
$5502 Bids
14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Hoop Earrings
Feb 19, 10:00 AM PST
14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Hoop Earrings
by Abell Auction
Est: $200- $300
$1502 Bids
14K White Gold, Blue Sapphire and Diamond, Hoop Earrings
Feb 23, 7:00 PM AEST
14K White Gold, Blue Sapphire and Diamond, Hoop Earrings
by Jewellery Auctions Unlimited
Est: AUD950- AUD0
AUD502 Bids
14K GOLD AND DIAMOND HOOPS
Mar 12, 11:00 AM EDT
14K GOLD AND DIAMOND HOOPS
by Joe R. Pyle Complete Auction & Realty LLC
Est: $9- $9,999
$152 Bids
PAIR OF TANZANITE & 14K GOLD EARRINGS
Feb 24, 6:00 PM PST
PAIR OF TANZANITE & 14K GOLD EARRINGS
by O'Gallerie
Est: $150- $200
$902 Bids
Sterling Silver and Diamond Earrings
Feb 23, 1:00 PM EST
Sterling Silver and Diamond Earrings
by Block Auction House
Est: $10- $10,000
$252 Bids
Sterling Silver 925 Judith Ripka Jewelry Earrings
Feb 20, 6:00 PM EST
Sterling Silver 925 Judith Ripka Jewelry Earrings
by Mebane Antique Auction
Est: $10- $10,000
$62 Bids
14K White Gold, 1.04ct TDW Diamond, Hoop Earrings
Feb 26, 7:00 PM AEST
14K White Gold, 1.04ct TDW Diamond, Hoop Earrings
by Jewellery Auctions Unlimited
Est: AUD1,805- AUD2,375
AUD102 Bids
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Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings
Feb 27, 10:00 AM EST
Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$11 Bid
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Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings
Feb 27, 10:00 AM EST
Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$11 Bid
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A Collection of 14k Gold Hoop and Diamond Earrings
Mar 02, 10:00 AM CST
A Collection of 14k Gold Hoop and Diamond Earrings
by Rivich Auction
Est: $200- $400
$1001 Bid
Five pairs of 18k white gold earrings
Feb 21, 9:30 AM PST
Five pairs of 18k white gold earrings
by Clars Auctions
Est: $1,800- $2,200
$9001 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Hoops & Huggies Earrings


Robinhood Auctions

Robinhood Auctions

Berner's Auction Gallery

Berner's Auction Gallery

Intervendue

Intervendue

Leonard Joel

Leonard Joel