Ivory earrings

Ivory earrings are a traditional and precious form of jewelry worn by Stieng women in Bu Dang district, Binh Phuoc province. According to custom, Stieng people practice ear stretching from an early age, similar to certain ethnic groups in the Central Highlands. The aesthetic belief holds that the larger the stretched ear lobe, the more it signifies beauty, sophistication, and the nobility of a woman.

Typically, ivory earrings are crafted in the shape of a rice pestle, with a narrow center and larger, flared ends. The size of each pair of earrings depends on the width of the wearer’s stretched ear lobes, creating a unique harmony and distinct aesthetic value for each individual.