Hoop
hoop | ˈhüp
adjective
A circular earring design that resembles a ring and passes through the earlobe
Hoop earrings are considered one of the oldest accessories in human history, with significant meaning across a number of different cultures. The first hoop earrings date back to 2500 BCE in Africa and were made from gold, silver, and bronze. Other cultures started wearing hoop earrings around 1000 BCE and evidence of hoops have been found in Ancient Egyptian culture for both men and women. Heavier, thicker gold hoops were worn in several cultures by kings and queens to symbolize their power. Ancient Greece and Persia also venerated hoop earrings as a symbol of status. After centuries of decline in the popularity of earrings in general, hoop earrings made a comeback in the 19th century.