Earrings have been worn for thousands of years, dating back to the Neolithic era. The earliest evidence of earrings was found in the Near East, where they were made from shells, bones, and stones. In ancient Egypt, earrings were popular with both men and women, and were often made of gold, silver, and turquoise. In ancient Greece and Rome, earrings were also popular, and were often decorated with gems and pearls. In the Middle Ages, earrings were worn by both men and women, but were mostly reserved for the wealthy and nobility. In the Renaissance, earrings became more popular with the general population, and were often made of gold, silver, and enamel. In the Victorian era, earrings became extremely popular, and were often made of gold, silver, diamonds, and pearls. Today, earrings are still popular with both men and women, and come in a wide variety of styles and materials.