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 Bug at NOVICA Canada

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Dragonfly Breeze' - Dragonfly Sterling Silver Earrings from Bali

Bestseller

Dragonfly Breeze, Dragonfly Sterling Silver Earrings from Bali

Nyoman Ariawan

(255)

$77.04CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $77.04CAD

Flying Lobes, Taxco Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings from Mexico

Guillermo Arregui

(1087)

$146.64CAD Wholesale

$146.64CAD

Bee Loyal, Sterling Silver Bee Button Earrings with Blue Topaz Jewels

Ayu Ary

(249)

$40.20CAD Wholesale

~~$47.89CAD~~ $40.20CAD

Amber dangle earrings, 'Amber Bees' - Mexican 925 Sterling Silver and Amber Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Amber Bees, Mexican 925 Sterling Silver and Amber Dangle Earrings

Del Toro Family

(21)

$68.42CAD Wholesale

$68.42CAD

Amber stud earrings, 'Bee Mine' - Artisan Crafted Amber Stud Earrings

Bestseller

Bee Mine, Artisan Crafted Amber Stud Earrings

Flora Maria

(92)

$54.74CAD Wholesale

$54.74CAD

Gold-accented howlite stud earrings, 'Audacious Inspiration' - Gold-Accented Firefly Howlite Stud Earrings in Vibrant Hues

Bestseller

Audacious Inspiration, Gold-Accented Firefly Howlite Stud Earrings in Vibrant Hues

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$47.89CAD Wholesale

$47.89CAD

Fluttering Soul, Wing-Patterned Round Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Martha Vargas

(5)

$122.20CAD Wholesale

$122.20CAD

Enchanting Dragonfly, Polished Dragonfly-Themed 18k Gold-Plated Drop Earrings

Komang Budiarta

(22)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD

Busy Bees, Amber Bumblebee Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Flora Maria

(92)

$155.43CAD Wholesale

$155.43CAD

Bee Sweet, Sterling Silver Amber Honeybee Post Earrings Crafted Mexico

Flora Maria

(92)

$68.42CAD Wholesale

$68.42CAD

Royal Beetle, Beetle-Shaped Resin and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Del Toro Family

(21)

$101.66CAD Wholesale

$101.66CAD

Butterfly Breeze, Handmade Silver Butterfly Dangle Earrings

Nyoman Ariawan

(255)

$74.67CAD Wholesale

~~$87.98CAD~~ $74.67CAD

Fluttering Sides, Polished and Oxidized Sterling Silver Wing Dangle Earrings

Martha Vargas

(5)

$142.73CAD Wholesale

$142.73CAD

Magic in the Palace, Traditional Dragonfly 6-Carat Amethyst Dangle Earrings

Anya

(29)

$74.67CAD Wholesale

~~$87.98CAD~~ $74.67CAD

Scarab, Sterling silver button earrings

Zayd Makarim

(559)

$74.67CAD Wholesale

~~$87.98CAD~~ $74.67CAD

Bumblebee, Sterling Silver Bumblebee Stud Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

$34.21CAD Wholesale

$34.21CAD

Happy Snail, Artisan Crafted Snail Shaped Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Withaya Cheunjit

(77)

$48.65CAD Wholesale

~~$54.74CAD~~ $48.65CAD

Sterling silver and copper stud earrings, 'Lucky Ladybug' - Sterling Silver and Copper Ladybug Stud Earrings

Bestseller

Lucky Ladybug, Sterling Silver and Copper Ladybug Stud Earrings

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

$29.32CAD Wholesale

$29.32CAD

Lucky Ladybug, Copper Ladybug Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

$34.21CAD Wholesale

$34.21CAD

Magic in the Dark, Traditional Dragonfly-Themed 5-Carat Onyx Dangle Earrings

Anya

(29)

$74.67CAD Wholesale

~~$87.98CAD~~ $74.67CAD

Silver Scarab, Artisan Crafted 950 Silver Dangle Chrysocolla Earrings

Cristian Davila

(27)

$129.04CAD Wholesale

$129.04CAD

Hopeful Flutter, Polished Butterfly Wing-Shaped Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings

Martha Vargas

(5)

$155.43CAD Wholesale

$155.43CAD

Golden Bees, Bee-Themed Amber Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Flora Maria

(92)

$162.28CAD Wholesale

$162.28CAD

Harmony Prophecy, Rainbow Moonstone Dragonfly Dangle Earrings from Bali

Made Sugi

(291)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD

Little Bees, Sterling Silver Bumblebee Stud Earrings from Thailand

Sarote Lochotinunt

(339)

$33.23CAD Wholesale

$33.23CAD

Sweet Little Bee, 925 Sterling Silver Button Earrings from Costa Rica

Guisselle Mora

(49)

$122.20CAD Wholesale

$122.20CAD

Faith in Change, 14k Gold-Accented Dragonfly-Themed Howlite Button Earrings

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$51.81CAD Wholesale

$51.81CAD

Faith in Change, 14k Gold-Accented Dragonfly-Themed Howlite Dangle Earrings

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$81.13CAD Wholesale

$81.13CAD

Butterfly Heaven, Butterfly and Floral-Themed 18k Gold-Plated Drop Earrings

Komang Budiarta

(22)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD

Garden of the Loyal, Floral Blue Topaz and White Pearl Dangle Earrings from Bali

Buana

(2373)

$114.88CAD Wholesale

~~$135.88CAD~~ $114.88CAD

Magic Dragonfly, Garnet and Agate Dragonfly Hoop Earrings

Francisco Sanchez

(186)

$203.34CAD Wholesale

$203.34CAD

Little Lady, 14k Rose Gold Accented Stud Earrings

Lalana

(549)

$68.42CAD Wholesale

$68.42CAD

Honeycomb Flower, Costa Rican Sterling Silver Bee and Flower Dangle Earrings

Guisselle Mora

(49)

$94.82CAD Wholesale

$94.82CAD

Openwork Bee, Sterling Silver Bee Button Earrings Crafted in Mexico

Rosa Rojo

(19)

$135.88CAD Wholesale

$135.88CAD

Queen Bee, Handmade Queen Bee Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

$34.21CAD Wholesale

$34.21CAD

Amber dangle earrings, 'Worker Bees' - Bee-Themed Amber Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Bestseller

Worker Bees, Bee-Themed Amber Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Flora Maria

(92)

$162.28CAD Wholesale

$162.28CAD

Kawung Butterfly, Butterfly Motif Amethyst Dangle Earrings

Dewi Putera

(350)

$66.63CAD Wholesale

~~$79.18CAD~~ $66.63CAD

Dragonfly Antics, Handcrafted Amethyst Earrings from Bali

Ni Wayan Astiti

(147)

$80.41CAD Wholesale

~~$94.82CAD~~ $80.41CAD

Silver Transformation, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Shiny Butterflies

Ajay Patil

(12)

$175.97CAD Wholesale

$175.97CAD

Sweet Bees, Andean Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings with Bees

Fernando Angel Meza

(7)

$68.42CAD Wholesale

$68.42CAD

Dragonfly Shadows, Polished Dragonfly-Themed Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Griya Suarningsih

(16)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD

Free Fluttering, Minimalist Sterling Silver Butterfly Dangle Earrings

Griya Suarningsih

(16)

$91.91CAD Wholesale

~~$108.51CAD~~ $91.91CAD

Flutter to Harmony, Dragonfly-Shaped Resin and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Del Toro Family

(21)

$81.13CAD Wholesale

$81.13CAD

Fluttering Charm, Butterfly-Shaped Sterling Silver Button Earrings from India

Sapna Mehta

(50)

$38.12CAD Wholesale

$38.12CAD

Dragonfly Intricacy, Sterling Silver Dragonfly Stud Earrings from Bali

Anya

(29)

$32.15CAD Wholesale

~~$38.12CAD~~ $32.15CAD

Bee Passionate, Sterling Silver Bee Button Earrings with Garnet Jewels

Ayu Ary

(249)

$43.65CAD Wholesale

~~$51.81CAD~~ $43.65CAD

Little Scorpions, Sterling Silver Button Earrings Scorpion Shape from Thailand

Wadarat Supasirisuk

(1675)

$47.89CAD Wholesale

$47.89CAD

Praying Mantis, Sterling Silver Praying Mantis Stud Earrings from Thailand

Sarote Lochotinunt

(339)

$41.05CAD Wholesale

$41.05CAD

Monarch Dream, Monarch Butterfly-Shaped Ceramic Dangle Earrings from India

Ritu Thapar

(133)

$35.19CAD Wholesale

$35.19CAD

Fairy Butterfly, Polished Butterfly-Shaped Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Griya Suarningsih

(16)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD

Dragonfly's Spell, 18k Gold-Accented Dragonfly Dangle Earrings from Bali

Made Suyana

(51)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD

Lagoon Dragonfly, Blue and Green Sterling Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings

Del Toro Family

(21)

$61.58CAD Wholesale

$61.58CAD

Dragonfly Crown, Dragonfly Dangle Earrings with Garnet

Made Wardika

(1081)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD

Sweet Ladybug, 925 Sterling Silver and Amber Ladybug Dangle Earrings

Del Toro Family

(21)

$68.42CAD Wholesale

$68.42CAD

Dulcet Hope, Gold-Accented Heart-Shaped Butterfly Howlite Stud Earrings

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$51.81CAD Wholesale

$51.81CAD

Moth Majesty, Sterling Silver Fluttering Moth Majesty Dangle Earrings

Dewa Arimbawa

(792)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD

Dragonfly Idyll, Artisan Crafted Sterling Silver Earrings

Dwi Adiastuti

(45)

$66.63CAD Wholesale

~~$79.18CAD~~ $66.63CAD

Garden Companions, Sterling Butterfly and Dragonfly Earrings

Flora Maria

(92)

$60.82CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $60.82CAD

Tender Inspiration, Gold-Accented Dragonfly Howlite Stud Earrings in Sweet Hues

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$54.74CAD Wholesale

$54.74CAD

Golden Bugs, Bug-Themed Gold Accented Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Diah Arini

(329)

$80.41CAD Wholesale

~~$94.82CAD~~ $80.41CAD

Lone Dragonfly, Sterling Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings from Bali

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD

Hercules Beetle, Sterling Silver Beetle Stud Earrings from Thailand

Sarote Lochotinunt

(339)

$30.40CAD Wholesale

~~$41.05CAD~~ $30.40CAD

Noble Fluttering, Minimalist Round Sterling Silver Butterfly Dangle Earrings

Griya Suarningsih

(16)

$80.41CAD Wholesale

~~$94.82CAD~~ $80.41CAD

Celestial Dragonfly, Leafy and Dragonfly-Themed Cultured Pearl Button Earrings

Desi Antari

(583)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD

Harmony Fluttering, Dragonfly Dangle Earrings with Natural Rainbow Moonstones

Astiti Pratiwi

(1)

$74.67CAD Wholesale

~~$87.98CAD~~ $74.67CAD

Bee Golden, Bee-Themed High-Polished Brass Dangle Earrings from India

Anuva Baid

(9)

$65.49CAD Wholesale

$65.49CAD

Crafty Spider, Cultured Pearl Earrings in 18k Gold

Giri Tasmana

(80)

$97.65CAD Wholesale

~~$115.35CAD~~ $97.65CAD

Night Ant, Polished Ant-Shaped Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Ayu Ary

(249)

$45.95CAD Wholesale

~~$54.74CAD~~ $45.95CAD

Dragonfly Fun, Artisan Crafted Blue Topaz Earrings

Ni Wayan Astiti

(147)

$103.40CAD Wholesale

~~$122.20CAD~~ $103.40CAD

Euphoric Flight, Dragonfly-Themed Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Bali

Budiharta

(84)

$63.18CAD Wholesale

~~$75.27CAD~~ $63.18CAD

Joyous Dragonfly, Floral and Dragonfly-Themed Yellow Pearl Button Earrings

Desi Antari

(583)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD

Honeycomb Builders, Bee and Honeycomb Sterling Silver Earrings from Costa Rica

Guisselle Mora

(49)

$82.11CAD Wholesale

$82.11CAD

Silhouettes of Hope, Butterfly-Shaped Sterling Silver Drop Earrings from Bali

Desi Antari

(583)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD

Butterfly Grace, Matte Butterfly-Shaped Sterling Silver Button Earrings

Desi Antari

(583)

$51.69CAD Wholesale

~~$61.58CAD~~ $51.69CAD

Gentle Butterfly, Butterfly Motif Earrings in Sterling Silver

Nyoman Ariawan

(255)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD

Bee Garden, Handmade Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Bee Motif

Rosalia Tarigan

(208)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD

Romantic Dragonflies, Gold Plated Sterling Silver Dragonfly Earrings from Bali

Asmara Putra

(237)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD

Sweet Inspiration, Gold-Accented Firefly Howlite Stud Earrings in Bright Hues

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$47.89CAD Wholesale

$47.89CAD

Balinese Snail, Indonesian Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Nyoman Rena

(2218)

$63.18CAD Wholesale

~~$75.27CAD~~ $63.18CAD

Amethyst dangle earrings, 'Wisdom Prophecy' - Faceted Amethyst Dragonfly Dangle Earrings from Bali

Coming back

Wisdom Prophecy, Faceted Amethyst Dragonfly Dangle Earrings from Bali

Made Sugi

(291)

$77.04CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $77.04CAD

Passionate Change, Dragonfly Dangle Earrings with Natural Garnet Stones

Made Sugi

(291)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD

Butterfly in Forest, Oxidized Butterfly-Shaped Sterling Silver Button Earrings

Ego Agusnata

$51.69CAD Wholesale

~~$61.58CAD~~ $51.69CAD

Gold-accented sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Ladybug's Grace' - 18k Gold-Plated Sterling Silver Ladybug Dangle Earrings

Coming back

Ladybug's Grace, 18k Gold-Plated Sterling Silver Ladybug Dangle Earrings

Asri Paramita

(17)

$83.46CAD Wholesale

~~$87.98CAD~~ $83.46CAD

Dragonfly Complexity, Dragonfly Wing Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Bali

Budiharta

(84)

$34.45CAD Wholesale

~~$41.05CAD~~ $34.45CAD

Welcome!

New Wishlist

Unique Gifts

Curated Gift Boxes

Build Your Own Gift Sets

Express Gifts

Gift Cards

Special Collections

Women's Jewellery

Men's Jewellery

Materials

Collections

Popular & New

Women's Clothing

Women's Accessories

Men's Fashion

Handbags

Seasonal Collections

Home Accessories

Home Furnishings

Kitchen and Dining

Decor Collections

Special Collections

Discipline

Subject Matter

Colour Themes

Special Collections

Explore, Empower, Impact

Earrings Bug

Related Categories

Unique Finds

The Village Council

Featured Reviews

Flora Maria

The Fall Catalog