Hoop earrings are among the oldest pieces of jewellery in the world. In the royal tombs of Ur, in present day Iraq, archaeologists found large gold earrings shaped like a crescent moon. They are about 4,500 years old. Round earrings were also popular in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. The name creole, which many European languages use for hoops, came much later through the French word créole.
That makes the hoop a true classic. Shape and material change over time, but the idea stays the same: a ring that runs around your earlobe. In this blog you will read how today's hoop earrings came about, where the name comes from and why you still see them everywhere in 2026.
How old are hoop earrings really?
Round earrings have existed for thousands of years, in many different cultures.
The first hoops in ancient times
The gold earrings from Ur are now kept in the Penn Museum in Philadelphia. They come from the tomb of Queen Puabi and show how important jewellery already was back then. Gold stood for status and wealth. A large, shiny ring showed straight away who you were.
In ancient Egypt, wealthy women also wore gold earrings. Beautiful examples have survived from the time of Pharaoh Thutmose III, in the fifteenth century BC. These rings were often decorated with coloured stones or glass.
Hoops in ancient Greece and Rome
On a wall painting in Akrotiri, on the Greek island of Santorini, a woman wears round earrings. The painting is more than 3,600 years old. Later, Greek and Roman women wore gold earrings, sometimes with a bead or a small pendant. So a hoop with a charm is not a new idea at all.
Where does the name creole come from?
The name tells you something about the journey this earring has made.
From créole to creole
In French, a round earring is called une créole. According to the common explanation, the word refers to the large gold rings worn by Creole women in the French colonies. From French, the word travelled into German and Dutch. That is why hoops are called Creolen in Germany and creolen in the Netherlands.
Hoops or creoles?
In English you mostly say hoops or hoop earrings. In shops across Europe you will also see the word creoles. Both names describe exactly the same type of earring.
Why did sailors wear hoop earrings?
There are many stories about sailors and earrings.
A story from the harbours
According to old stories, a sailor wore a gold earring in one ear. If he died far from home, the gold paid for his funeral. Nobody knows for sure if it really happened that way. What is certain is that earrings were popular among sailors for a long time, well before they became a big trend on land.
From harbour to dance floor
In the twentieth century, the hoop made a big comeback. In the seventies, large gold rings belonged to the disco scene. In the nineties, chunky gold hoops were a fixed part of the hip hop style. Since then, the hoop keeps coming back, each time in a new shape.
What do hoop earrings look like in 2026?
The basis is ancient, but the design is completely modern.
New shapes and details
Next to the classic round ring, in 2026 you will see square models, twisted rings and rounded, bubble shapes. Hoops with zirconia are popular too, because they add a little more sparkle. Curious how to open such a modern clasp? Then read how a hoop earring opens and closes. Not sure whether to choose a larger ring or a small, sleek version? Then have a look at the difference between hoops and huggies.
Design and craftsmanship
A modern hoop is more than a ring of metal. At Sparkling Jewels, the team has been designing earrings in the Netherlands since 2014. Production takes place in workshops in Italy, Bangkok and Hong Kong. The founder visits these workshops regularly and checks details such as the clasp and the setting of each stone.
The hoops in this blog are made of 925 sterling silver, with a gold plated or rhodium plated finish. Gold plated gives a warm gold colour. Rhodium plated gives a bright, cool silver colour. That way, an ancient shape gets a finish that suits the way you live today.
Why do hoop earrings stay so popular?
There are a few clear reasons why the hoop never really disappears.
They suit almost every style
A small hoop looks just as good with jeans as with a dress. A large ring instantly makes a simple outfit stronger. So with one pair, you already have plenty of options. The history of the bangle also shows that round shapes always return in jewellery.
Timeless yet current
With every design, the team focuses on three things: quality, comfort and timeless design. A piece of jewellery should still look beautiful in five years. That fits the hoop perfectly, as it has been around for thousands of years. Explore the hoops in the collection and choose your own version of this classic.
Frequently asked questions about the history of hoop earrings
I'm happy to answer a few frequently asked questions:
What is a hoop earring?
A hoop is a round or oval earring that runs through the hole in your earlobe. The ring is usually open and closes with a hinged clasp, a post or a hook.
Is a creole the same as a hoop?
Yes. Creole is the word many European languages use for a hoop earring. Both words describe the same type of earring.
Why are hoops called creoles?
The name comes from the French word créole. According to the common explanation, it refers to Creole women in the French colonies, who wore large gold earrings.
Are hoop earrings still in fashion in 2026?
Yes, hoops are part of the basics of many jewellery collections in 2026. Square, twisted and rounded shapes especially stand out, just like hoops with zirconia.
Want to know more, or have questions? The experts at Sparkling Jewels are happy to help.
