Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings

Sterling silver hoop earrings have been around for what seems like forever--generation after generation has donned the circular ornaments to show style, wealth, and personal flair. Jewelry is a powerful statement and can say a great deal about a person's character, personality, and values. Even God described His favor and esteem for the Israelites in terms of beautiful jewelry: "And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head (Ezekiel 16:12). Unfortunately, God's people's outward adornment did not always agree with the state of their character; still, jewelry can tell all about its wearer by design, extravagance, and size.

Traditional large silver hoop earrings, for example, send a definite message: their wearer is bold, vibrant, and happy to be visible. A woman sporting this kind of jewelry is not trying to blend into the crowd or pass by without notice; she wants to be seen and remembered. A girl with smaller, more detailed earrings is probably of a different character: she doesn't want to be the center of attention, but she does want to be noticed by people with the right taste and to quietly, subtly express her own unique personality. A woman's earrings may say that she is funky and eccentric, classy and sophisticated, or low-maintenance and a lot of fun. Sterling silver hoop earrings come in so many shapes and sizes that they are a perfect jewelry choice for any girl, offering ornamentation both for every day wear and special occasions.

A first important question is "Why this kind of jewelry?" Why should a shopper choose large silver hoop earrings over others like gold and platinum, which are equally beautiful? One reason, of course, is cost--it is much cheaper than yellow and white gold. Another incentive, however, is that sterling silver is a strong, durable material that is highly functional and lasting, which is why manufacturers use it for many every day items like kitchen wear, medical tools, and musical instruments. Most households have sterling silver dining utensils in their kitchens because they are long-lasting and highly resistant to scratching and rusting.

Sterling silver is made by combining pure silver, a soft, easily damaged material, with another alloy, usually copper, in order to give it strength and durability; this alloy generally contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. While copper is what gives this material strength, it is also the cause of corrosion and tarnishing; silver itself is not reactive, but its copper is, causing tarnishing with time and wear. Therefore, shoppers should plan to buy a good cleaner for their sterling silver hoop earrings, which can be purchased at jewelry stores, hardware stores, and often even at regular department stores. Protecting this material from harsh chemicals like bleach and chlorine is important, so wearers should always remember to take off their earrings before jumping into a swimming pool. For extra protection, jewelers suggest storing this kind of jewelry in a location where it will not come into contact with other jewelry, either by putting it in a separate compartment or wrapping it in cloth.

A set of large silver hoop earrings may be the first item that comes to mind when one thinks of hoops, but there are so many other options! When browsing online or in a store, shoppers will find a dazzling assortment of hoops, varying dramatically both in price and style. There are the usual, simple department store hoops for $35 and the $2000 diamond pair-- and, thankfully, a great deal in between. The goal is to find a reasonably priced, high-quality pair that will last a long time, work with a variety of outfits, and never go out of style. These can be worn with jeans for dinner and a movie, with a nice dress or pants suit for work or dress-up occasions, or sometimes even with a T-shirt and hat on a day at the park.

Sterling silver hoop earrings are versatile, functional, and fun; that's why every woman needs a pair. However, women looking for hoops to match specific outfits will also find an abundance of choices to work with any ensemble or look. There are petites, Tiffany style, bangles, cushions, Designer style, and, of course, JLo inspired hoops. Hoops may be oval, continuous, or even wavy; may be plain or accented with gemstones or diamonds; may even have one's name in script running through the center; there are hoops with pearl drops, with turquoise studs, with floral filigree, with delicately woven hearts; hoops with diamond baguettes, with sapphires, with emeralds. Charm hoops are a unique option; in this category shoppers will find earrings with dangling stars or hearts or music notes--plenty of charms to express any personality.

Large silver hoop earrings may not be a good option for every woman, but shoppers are sure to find a pair of hoops that works for them. If the buyer is hoping to find inexpensive, simple sterling silver hoop earrings for every-day wear, she should check local department stores for special sales and browse wholesale online jewelry websites. One word of caution: although it may be cheap, buyers should always avoid plating, which is sure to rub off, giving the jewelry a dull, cheap appearance. Think quality first and foremost. Women hoping to find hoops that are a little fancier and more suited for specific outfits should look both in traditional jewelry stores and online stores specializing in sterling jewelry, as these are the most likely places to find high value earrings that will continue to be beautiful and fashionable for many years to come.