Popular ethnic-style earrings - Kongo hoop earrings originally resembled the jewelry of the tribes of central Africa. But European jewelers have turned these simple earrings into a trendy accessory. Congo earrings in white gold with diamonds and yellow gold with decorative pendants, silver Congo earrings for children without inserts or twisted hoop earrings. Choose your option!
Where did they come from?
The fashion for Congo earrings emerged in Europe and America in the 1970s, simultaneously with a boom in interest in primitive cultures, ethnography, anthropology and applied art of African tribes. Ethnic jewelry captured the catwalk and pages of fashion magazines.
The interest was caused, among other things, by the fact that since about the mid-1960s, more and more women have had the opportunity to study and find decently paid jobs, which means buying their own jewelry. Major jewelery houses quickly caught on to this trend and began to produce so-called "costume" or daytime jewelery - simple but sophisticated items that were combined with casual wear: suits, jumpers, business sheath dresses.
Such jewelry was made by Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier and other giants of the jewelry market. There were also new companies that initially worked for independent clients - for example, the Italian Pomellato.
What do congo earrings look like?
The most popular model was and remains gold earrings without inserts - thin rings of large diameter with a simple clasp: a thin tip enters the hole of a narrow tube, creating the illusion of the wholeness of the ring. Congo earrings made of silver were also arranged.
Their diameter can be anything: from tiny children's silver Congo earrings to thin rings of large diameter, almost reaching the shoulder (such are worn by representatives of African tribes) or more massive embossed Congo earrings made of yellow gold with cubic zirkonia, Congo earrings made of white gold with diamonds, Congo gold earrings with a diamond cut for a bold and eye-catching decorative effect.
Modern manufacturers - both master jewelers and well-known jewelry houses or large factories - produce a variety of unusual and exclusive Congo earrings. Among them can be classic laconic rings - cast or puffed, small day rings that are suitable for an office dress code, or large, wide, with stones or pearls.
Modern trends
Designers offer pendants for congo earrings - for example, one of the very interesting options is with butterflies, the wings of which are covered with bright iridescent enamel. Another version of Congo earrings is minimalist large thin rings with one stone - for example, blue topaz or cubic zirconia - or with pearls. It can be attached to the earring freely - in the form of a pendant, or the ring of the earring is threaded into a hole drilled in the pearl. In this case, the earrings can be worn in two ways: with or without a pendant or pearl. Pendant earrings are a great option for a girl with a fantasy: she can change or combine them to her liking.
Another option for decorating congo earrings is when a pearl and stone frame or other decorative element is soldered to the ring. Usually these are more catchy models for special occasions.
How to wear Congo earrings?
To put on small models, you need to pass the earring into the ear, turn it so that the gap is under the earlobe and carefully insert the thin tip into the hole in the hollow ring. It is better to keep the hair away from the ears.
It is more convenient to wear large ones. The diameter of the ring leaves more room for maneuver. Pendants for Congo earrings with miniature carabiners are also practical, which allow you to fasten the pendants in any order after the rings are put on.
What to combine Congo earrings with?
Small rings with diamonds, cubic zirkonia or small colored stones are suitable for daytime and even office wear. Large "gypsy" earrings are ideal in summer - to a beach sarong, a bright sundress made of thin fabric, a wide wicker hat. Thin large-diameter tongo earrings made of pink or yellow gold, white gold or silver fit perfectly into the now popular trend of the 1970s: they can be worn with cashmere turtlenecks - black or bright colors.
star fans
However, this form of earrings is liked not only by business women, but also by stars of the first magnitude. Paparazzi have repeatedly photographed exotic beauties - Rihanna, J. Lo, Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, Selena Gomez in large and catchy Congo. These deceptively simple earrings give them a savage looseness and gypsy recklessness. And congos of a restrained design and more modest sizes are worn by stars associated more with the classics: Jessica Alba, Kate Winslet, Julia Roberts.
