| It's an all too familiar scenario. A husband has the | | | | Mechanics of Ear Piercing |
| dilemma of choosing gifts for wife. UK husbands | | | | From ancient times to modern, both men and |
| should know that earrings are almost always an | | | | women have pierced their ears. The most typical |
| excellent choice. It's usually a simple matter to | | | | place for a piercing is the earlobe, but there are |
| select earrings for her. Here's some information | | | | several other areas of the ear where piercing is |
| about the history of earrings and ear piecing that | | | | common. "Cartilage piecing" is the practice of |
| might help you select just the perfect Christmas | | | | locating an ear pierce in an area other than the |
| gift or birthday gift for your spouse. | | | | lobe. Regardless of the location of the pierce, the |
| History of Earrings | | | | process is the same. Modern piercings are done in |
| The earliest known reference to earrings occurs | | | | a sanitary way to assure that there's no |
| in wall paintings found in the ancient city of | | | | exposure to diseases or infection. Ear piercing is |
| Persepolis. Earrings crafted from precious metals | | | | usually done with a disposable, single-use "gun" |
| and decorated with gemstones were popular in | | | | that's "loaded" with a stud. Pressure "shoots" the |
| ancient Rome. During the Middle Ages, the use of | | | | stud into the ear and a clutch is fitted over the |
| jewellery and personal adornment declined sharply | | | | end of the stud to hold the earring in place. |
| until the Renaissance exploded with an energy | | | | A World of Options |
| unprecedented in human history. During the | | | | When shopping for her, be sure to take a look at |
| Renaissance, clothing styles drew attention to the | | | | the many unique gifts available on the Internet. |
| face, so earrings became popular again. In the | | | | Numerous online retailers and jewellers offer |
| 17th century, both necklines and hairstyles were | | | | extraordinary selections of pearl, crystal and |
| conducive to the wearing of ornaments in the ear. | | | | diamante earrings that would make great gifts for |
| But in the 18th century, the popularity of hats and | | | | your wife. It's certain that you'll be impressed by |
| bonnets precluded the wearing of earrings. In the | | | | both the wide range of styles and the superior |
| early part of the 20th century, women either | | | | quality of jewellery gifts for wife available from |
| wore their hair short or in elegant "up dos," | | | | UK Internet specialty stores. |
| making earrings almost a fashion necessity. | | | | |