Are there any earring designs or symbols that have a particular meaning?

Absolutely! Jewelry is an art form that allows makers to express their individuality and cultural influences, and certain designs are used to represent important symbols. For example, Central American artisans incorporate traditional figures, glyphs, and pre-Hispanic folklore. In Mexico, the famous work of artists Angel Ortiz, Maria Belen Nilson, and Rosa Rojo highlight the beauty of Aztec, Mayan and Teotihuacan civilizations. In Peru, powerful symbols, like the Andean chakana, are used to represent humanitys union with the cosmos. Indian artists are extremely tied to their faith and spirituality. Earring designs include chakra gemstones, motifs of Lord Ganesha, and other spiritual imagery. In Bali, the Om symbol is prevalent, as well as the mythological panther-like Barong image, which is seen as a protector spirit. Designs pulled from the natural world, like animal figures, feathers, plants, as well as stones, are used in almost every culture, which then infuses them with their own particular meanings.

Are there any eco-friendly women’s earrings?

Yes! We offer a wide selection of earrings that are made from eco-friendly materials. Cow bone, water buffalo horn, fabric, recycled paper, wood, palm leaf and coconut shells, just to name a few. Product descriptions always list materials used, so be sure to read about each product to discover how artisans are working to ensure sustainability and environmental consciousness.

What materials are best for women’s earrings?

There is no best when it comes to handmade earrings. However, certain materials lend themselves well to jewelry. Silver and gold, for example, are frequently used to make earrings because of their luster and shine. Each region puts its own unique touch on the art of earring-making. Most use some combination of silver, gold, gemstones, wooden or glass beads, and bones. Some regions, like West Africa, have found ways to introduce up-cycling into the jewelry-making process. Recycled plastic and paper beads, as well as coconut shells are commonly integrated into beautiful works of earring art. Whatever materials used, quality and safety are always our top priorities. Each pair of earrings is tested to ensure its safety. If you do have sensitive skin, you may consider rhodium plated earrings, as rhodium is completely hypoallergenic. You can always find all relevant information about materials in the product description.

What is the history of women’s earrings?

While modern shapes and patterns may be new, earrings have actually been in existence for more than 7,000 years. In ancient cultures throughout Asia and Northern Africa, these pieces were traditionally worn by the wealthy elite who relied on accoutrements to communicate their status and position in society. In the Mesoamerican region of what is now Central America, earrings had religious significance and were worn by both men and women to honor pre-Hispanic deities. In ancient Peru, leaders adorned themselves in ceremonial garb, including earrings, which may have been used to indicate rank, function, religious codes, as well as emblems of power and prestige. Throughout history, earrings have been markers of social position and identity. While we may forget that this tremendous history lies behind a pair of modern earrings, global artisans work to keep ancient traditions alive.

Are there any traditional methods for making women’s earrings?

Attention to detail, patience and expert craftsmanship are the essential ingredients that go into every pair of traditional earrings. Whether the style involves hand-beading, copal wood carving, metal work, fabric or filigree, processes often date back generations, and are handed down through families and artisan communities. One of the oldest methods of earring-making is jewelry casting. It is an art form that has been in existence for thousands of years. From the time that ancient civilizations learned to melt metal, they have been pouring molten gold and silver into cavities of stone, plaster, sand, and cuttlefish bone. Once hardened, castings were then broken free from their encasings and tooled into shape. While much has changed since these primitive forays, much remains the same. Around the world, artisans still use metal casting as an important process in jewelry making. Many cultures also make use of metal threads in their jewelry. Silver alloy, for example, is made in sheets or fine threads using a range of tools. Filigree, a delicate and beautiful art form, uses a process of weaving thin metal threads into a particular pattern or design. Regardless of the method of production, each pair of traditional earrings reflects the artisan's unique vision combined with processes passed down through generations.

Earrings at NOVICA

Adella, Colorful Beaded Dangle Earrings from India

GlobeIn Collection

(16)

$9.99 Wholesale

$9.99

Noble Paisley Paws, Brass Paw Dangle Earrings with Embossed Paisley Motifs

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

$12.95 Wholesale

$12.95

Heroic Paisley Paws, Copper Paw Dangle Earrings with Embossed Paisley Motifs

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

$12.95 Wholesale

$12.95

Fused glass mosaic button earrings, 'Blue Textures' - Blue Fused Glass Mosaic Button Earrings from Mexico

Bestseller

Blue Textures, Blue Fused Glass Mosaic Button Earrings from Mexico

Fabiola Quevedo

(27)

$14.99 Wholesale

$14.99

Mark the Spot, Sterling Silver X Shaped Stud Earrings

Length: 0.1" x 0.1" W

Candradewi

(11)

$14.99 Wholesale

$14.99

Jali Coffee, Hand Crafted Dangle Earrings with Polished Brass Hooks

Length: 1.4" x 0.9" W x 0.1" D

Sabir

(99)

$14.99 Wholesale

$14.99

Gemstone Burst, Purple Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings from India

Length: 1.9" x 0.3" W x 0.3" D

Sabir

(99)

$14.99 Wholesale

$14.99

Gleaming Globes, Onyx and Moonstone Beaded Dangle Earrings from India

Length: 1.3" x 0.4" W x 0.4" D

Sabir

(99)

$14.99 Wholesale

$14.99

Pears, Sterling Silver Pear Stud Earrings from Thailand

Length: 0.4" x 0.3" W

Sarote Lochotinunt

(339)

$14.99 Wholesale

~~$19.99~~ $14.99

Delightful Round, Round Blue-Green Bone Dangle Earrings from India

Length: 1.3" x 0.9" W x 0.1" D

Sabir

(99)

$14.99 Wholesale

$14.99

Fantastic Veins, Oval Beaded Cluster Earrings from India

Length: 1.8" x 0.7" W x 0.2" D

Sabir

(99)

$14.99 Wholesale

$14.99

Dancing Bear, Sterling Silver Bear Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

$16.95 Wholesale

$16.95

Falling Leaves, Sterling Silver Leafy Plant Stud Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

$16.95 Wholesale

$16.95

Terracotta Dichroic, Terracotta Fused Glass Mosaic Stud Earrings from Mexico

Fabiola Quevedo

(27)

$16.99 Wholesale

~~$19.99~~ $16.99

Beaded button earrings, 'Litmus Star' - Star-shaped Beaded Button Earrings Handcrafted in Mexico

Bestseller

Litmus Star, Star-shaped Beaded Button Earrings Handcrafted in Mexico

Length: 0.8" x 0.8" W

Adriana Trejo

(140)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99

Lapis lazuli beaded dangle earrings, 'Naturally Blue' - Peruvian Sterling Earrings with Lapis Lazuli

Bestseller

Naturally Blue, Peruvian Sterling Earrings with Lapis Lazuli

Length: 1.4" x 0.2" W x 0.2" D

Teodoro Melendez and Family

(135)

$17.99 Wholesale

~~$19.99~~ $17.99

Black Star, Star-shaped Beaded Button Earrings Handcrafted in Mexico

Length: 0.8" x 0.8" W

Adriana Trejo

(140)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99

Multicolored Textures, Multicolored Fused Glass Mosaic Button Earrings from Mexico

Fabiola Quevedo

(27)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99

Sublime Majesty, Blue Chandelier Statement Earrings with Lapis Lazuli Stones

Swasti Jain

(1)

$17.99 Wholesale

~~$19.99~~ $17.99

Bold Gala, Folk Art-Themed Polished Brass and Agate Dangle Earrings

Sabir

(99)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99

Elongated Elegance, Elongated Bohemian Brass Dangle Earrings with Quartz Beads

Sabir

(99)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99

Brass Roses, Rose Themed Brass Dangle Earrings from India

Sabir

(99)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99

Sea Green & Pistachio Textures, Sea Green & Pistachio Fused Glass Mosaic Button Earrings

Fabiola Quevedo

(27)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99

Lunar Lantern, Traditional Brass and Quartz Dangle Earrings Made in India

Sabir

(99)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99

Lapis Star, Star-shaped Beaded Button Earrings Handcrafted in Mexico

Length: 0.8" x 0.8" W

Adriana Trejo

(140)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99

Aqua Yellow Star, Mexican Handcrafted Star-shaped Beaded Button Earrings

Adriana Trejo

(140)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99

Wavy Blue, Hand-Painted Ceramic Button Earrings with Blue Wavy Patterns

Anuva Baid

(9)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99

Dark Brown Jali Elegance, Dark Brown Jali Bone Dangle Earrings from India

Length: 1.8" x 1.1" W x 0.1" D

Arti Sharma

(136)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99

Sea Beauty, Hand-Painted Colorful Ceramic Button Earrings from India

Anuva Baid

(9)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99

Enigmatic Expressions, Hand-Carved Natural Bone Dangle Earrings from India

Length: 2" x 0.5" W x 0.3" D

Arti Sharma

(136)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99

Green Textures, Green Fused Glass Mosaic Button Earrings from Mexico

Fabiola Quevedo

(27)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99

Elongated Glam, Elongated Brass Dangle Earrings with Pink Quartz Stones

Sabir

(99)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99

Vintage Flight, Antique-Finished Butterfly-Themed Resin and Brass Earrings

Sabir

(99)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99

Simply Today, High-Polished Minimalist Sterling Silver Ear Cuff

Movses Hovsepian

(1)

$19 Wholesale

$19

Double Blessings, Double Rope-Shaped Sterling Silver Ear Cuff from Armenia

Movses Hovsepian

(1)

$19 Wholesale

$19

Glorious Omen, Antiqued Pomegranate Brass Stud Earrings Made in Armenia

Arpi Babayan

$19 Wholesale

$19

One Blessing, Polished Rope-Shaped Sterling Silver Ear Cuff from Armenia

Movses Hovsepian

(1)

$19 Wholesale

$19

Leopard Glory, Armenian Handmade Antiqued Brass Leopard-Themed Ear Cuff

Arpi Babayan

$19 Wholesale

$19

Alpaca silver and brass dangle earrings, 'Orange Tabby' - Orange Tabby-Shaped Alpaca Silver and Brass Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Orange Tabby, Orange Tabby-Shaped Alpaca Silver and Brass Dangle Earrings

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

$19.95 Wholesale

$19.95

Floral Delight, Sterling Silver Flower Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

$19.95 Wholesale

$19.95

An Apple a Day, Sterling Silver and Copper Apple Dangle Earrings

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

$19.95 Wholesale

$19.95

Proud Elephant, Sterling Silver Elephant Stud Earrings

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

$19.95 Wholesale

$19.95

Handblown glass dangle earrings, 'Loving Green' - Handblown Glass Heart Dangle Earrings in Green and White

Bestseller

Loving Green, Handblown Glass Heart Dangle Earrings in Green and White

Panapai

(35)

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