Zendaya’s Ancient Earrings Controversy: The Ziwiye Treasure, Persian Heritage, and the Debate Over Cultural Ownership
What Are Zendaya’s Iranian Earrings?
The earrings worn by Zendaya were described as Ziwiye gold medallion plaques, believed to originate from ancient Iran and dated approximately to the first millennium BCE, a period associated with powerful civilizations that existed before and during the rise of the Persian empires.
According to descriptions from the jeweler, the pieces were:
- Ancient Iranian gold artifacts
- Approximately 2,700–3,000 years old
- Originally gold decorative plaques
- Re-mounted into modern earrings
- Combined with diamonds and 18-karat yellow gold
The transformation of archaeological objects into luxury jewelry became one of the central points of criticism.
While supporters argued that the design celebrated ancient Iranian craftsmanship, critics questioned whether an archaeological artifact should be altered and worn as a fashion statement.
July 24, 2026 | 7:37 pm
