We may get a commission if you buy stuff through our links. Here’s the thing: vintage jewelry like clip-on earrings usually end up tucked away in a drawer somewhere, collecting dust because nothing you own seems to go with them. But hold up! Before you toss that thrifted pair, it’s worth taking another look. Some clip-ons are actually worth way more than what you paid for them. And honestly, there’s no reason they have to stay hidden away. Get creative and give them new life around your home. The secret? Work them into your existing home décor pieces. Clip-on earrings popped onto the scene in the late 1800s with fancy Victorian designs. Fast forward to the 1920s, and styles got sleeker and simpler with geometric stones and drop earrings that matched the vibe of the era. Then the 1950s and 1960s really took off with bold statement earrings featuring multiple hoops, fun textures, and chunky stones in wild shapes. No matter when your clip-ons were made, you’ve got tons of options to breathe new life into them. Turning a forgotten pair into décor is easier than you’d think. Just make sure you figure out what they’re worth before you grab that glue gun.
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Fun ways to use vintage clip-on earrings as home décor
Dragonimages/Getty Images Clip-on earrings can add some serious sparkle to stuff you already have around the house. Picture this: attach them to the bottom of a lampshade for a pop of color, using the clips to move them around without messing up the shade. Or swap out the clip backing with needle-nose pliers and glue them onto a craft magnet. Stick them on your fridge to hold up vacation photos or your daily to-do list in style.
If you’re feeling artsy and have multiple pairs hanging around, try making some Art Deco-inspired wall art. Arrange your earrings on canvas with other cool touches like lace, pearls, vintage buttons, and rhinestones. Glue everything down and pop it in a shadow box frame.
Just like brooches, clip-on earrings work great for sprucing up throw pillows. Glue them to the center button or all four corners of your cushion for a wow-worthy statement piece. This little addition can totally transform your couch into something that looks like a family heirloom. Want to make a plain vase look fancier? Pop off the clip backing and use jewelry glue to stick them to the base for a shiny detail that doesn’t steal the show.
Check this out before you repurpose your clip-on earrings
Elena Chertovskikh/Getty Images Before you dive into your DIY project, sort through what you’ve got first. Not every pair is meant for the craft table. Some might actually be worth some cash, depending on things like the brand, how good they look, and how old they are. The type of closing can also clue you in that they’re actually vintage — screw-back earrings from the 1920s? Collectors go crazy for those.
Keep an eye out for these well-known vintage brands that could bring in some decent money: Trifari, Miriam Haskell, Coro, Kenneth Jay Lane, and Weiss. One person is selling a pair of Trifari vintage clip-ons for $50 online. If you think yours might be worth something, take them to a jeweler who can give you a proper appraisal. Then you’ll know which ones are safe to glue and which ones to hold onto.
