nullAn Earring Is A Piece Of Jewelry Attached To The Ear Via A Piercing In The Earlobe Or Another External Part Of The Ear (Except In The Case Of Clip Earrings, Which Clip Onto The Lobe). Earrings Have Been Worn By People In Different Civilizations And Historic Periods, Often With Cultural Significance.Locations For Piercings Other Than The Earlobe Include The Rook, Tragus, And Across The Helix (See Image At Right). The Simple Term "Ear Piercing" Usually Refers To An Earlobe Piercing, Whereas Piercings In The Upper Part Of The External Ear Are Often Referred To As "Cartilage Piercings". Cartilage Piercings Are More Complex To Perform Than Earlobe Piercings And Take Longer To Heal.Earring Components May Be Made Of Any Number Of Materials, Including Metal, Plastic, Glass, Precious Stone, Beads, Wood, Bone, And Other Materials. Designs Range From Small Hoops And Studs To Large Plates And Dangling Items. The Size Is Ultimately Limited By The Physical Capacity Of The Earlobe To Hold The Earring Without Tearing. However, Heavy Earrings Worn Over Extended Periods Of Time May Lead To Stretching Of The Earlobe And The Piercing.The Main Characteristic Of Stud Earrings Is The Appearance Of Floating On The Ear Or Earlobe Without A Visible (From The Front) Point Of Connection. Studs Are Invariably Constructed On The End Of A Post, Which Penetrates Straight Through The Ear Or Earlobe.Hoop Earrings Are Circular Or Semi Circular In Design And Look Very Similar To A Ring. Hoop Earrings Generally Come In The Form Of A Hoop Of Metal That Can Be Opened To Pass Through The Ear Piercing. They Are Often Constructed Of Metal Tubing, With A Thin Wire Attachment Penetrating The Ear.Dangle Earrings (Also Known As Drop Earrings) Are Designed To Suspend From The Bottoms Of The Earlobes. Their Lengths Vary From A Centimeter Or Two, All The Way To Brushing The Wearer'S Shoulders. A Pierced Dangle Earring Is Generally Attached To The Ear With A Thin Wire Passing Through The Earlobe.
