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 Dangle at NOVICA Canada

Prasiolite and peridot dangle earrings, 'Borobudur Glimmer' - Silver 925 Prasiolite and Peridot Dangle Earrings from Bali

Bestseller

Borobudur Glimmer, Silver 925 Prasiolite and Peridot Dangle Earrings from Bali

Zayd Makarim

(559)

$434.03CAD Wholesale

~~$457.53CAD~~ $434.03CAD

Heart of Traditions, Heart-Shaped Sterling Silver and Copper Dangle Earrings

Roy Nilson

(132)

$392.02CAD Wholesale

$392.02CAD

Green Quartet, Gold-Plated Green 60-Carat Multi-Gemstone Dangle Earrings

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

$379.31CAD Wholesale

$379.31CAD

Bird Heart, Taxco 925 Silver Cultured Pearl Bird Chandelier Earrings

Roy Nilson

(132)

$362.69CAD Wholesale

$362.69CAD

Bird Heart in Green, Taxco 925 Silver Turquoise Bird & Heart Chandelier Earrings

Roy Nilson

(132)

$362.69CAD Wholesale

$362.69CAD

Catrina Splendor, Taxco 925 Silver Day of the Dead Catrina Dangle Earrings

Roy Nilson

(132)

$351.94CAD Wholesale

$351.94CAD

Love Doves, Mexico Antique Style Sterling Silver and Turquoise Earrings

Maria Belen Nilson

(123)

$338.25CAD Wholesale

$338.25CAD

Gemstone Fountain, Green Onyx Chandelier Earrings from India

Bhavesh

(1335)

$324.57CAD Wholesale

$324.57CAD

Dazzling Quartet, 18k Gold-Plated 63-Carat Multi-Gemstone Dangle Earrings

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

$322.61CAD Wholesale

$322.61CAD

Back to Africa, Sterling silver dangle earrings

Joycelyn Sena Zigah

(26)

$312.34CAD Wholesale

$312.34CAD

Gold vermeil filigree earrings, 'Love Goes Around' - Andean Gold Vermeil Filigree Earrings Crafted by Hand

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Love Goes Around, Andean Gold Vermeil Filigree Earrings Crafted by Hand

Giuliana Valz-Gen

(183)

$310.88CAD Wholesale

$310.88CAD

Larimar dangle earrings, 'Ethereal Sky' - 925 Silver and Larimar Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Ethereal Sky, 925 Silver and Larimar Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Michael Krainer

(203)

$310.88CAD Wholesale

$310.88CAD

Barabay Kites, Sterling Silver Earrings with Smoky Quartz and Peridot

Zayd Makarim

(559)

$298.72CAD Wholesale

~~$351.94CAD~~ $298.72CAD

Northern Drops, Gold Plated 28-Carat Labradorite Earrings from India

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

$298.17CAD Wholesale

$298.17CAD

Andean Beauty, Cameo Chandelier Earrings in Gold Filigree

Eda Arroyo

(5)

$291.33CAD Wholesale

$291.33CAD

Caribbean Mosaic, Turquoise Sterling Dangle Earrings

Guillermo Arregui

(1087)

$288.39CAD Wholesale

$288.39CAD

Imperial Bliss, 17-Carat Pear and Marquise Lemon Quartz Dangle Earrings

Zayd Makarim

(559)

$284.93CAD Wholesale

~~$335.32CAD~~ $284.93CAD

Love Is Wise, Amethyst and Silver Heart Earrings

Arunima

(30)

$284.48CAD Wholesale

$284.48CAD

Tribal Flare, Traditional Indian Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Shawn Martin

(11)

$284.48CAD Wholesale

$284.48CAD

Cool Clarity, Lace-Like Silver Dangle Earrings with Larimar

Michael Krainer

(203)

$284.48CAD Wholesale

$284.48CAD

Pink Era, Multi-Gemstone Dangle Earrings with 18k Gold Plating

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

$281.55CAD Wholesale

$281.55CAD

Loyal Clarity, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Faceted Blue Topaz Gems

Anant

(1)

$281.55CAD Wholesale

$281.55CAD

Buddha Faith Pearls, White Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings with Traditional Motifs

Zayd Makarim

(559)

$281.49CAD Wholesale

~~$331.41CAD~~ $281.49CAD

Buddha Pearls, Black Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings with Traditional Motifs

Zayd Makarim

(559)

$281.49CAD Wholesale

~~$331.41CAD~~ $281.49CAD

Shining Orbit, Round 24k Gold Plated Dangle Earrings

Carlos and Cynthia Rendon

(24)

$270.80CAD Wholesale

$270.80CAD

Tears from Nature, Drop-Shaped Leafy Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Roy Nilson

(132)

$270.80CAD Wholesale

$270.80CAD

Constellation of the Sage, Star and Moon-Themed Dangle Earrings with Amethyst Jewels

Francisco Sanchez

(186)

$267.86CAD Wholesale

$267.86CAD

Eden Birds, Bird Pattern Taxco Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Maria Belen Nilson

(123)

$267.86CAD Wholesale

$267.86CAD

Floral Descent, Round Floral Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from India

Bhavya Jain

(422)

$267.86CAD Wholesale

$267.86CAD

Ethereal Harmony, Sterling Silver Filigree Dangle Earrings with Amethyst

Eva Souto

(6)

$267.86CAD Wholesale

$267.86CAD

Glass beaded waterfall earrings, 'White Huichol Blossom' - Huichol Beadwork Floral Earrings in Black-White-Grey

White Blossom, Huichol Beadwork Floral Earrings in Black-White-Grey

Huichol Center for Cultural Survival and Tradition

(8)

$263.95CAD Wholesale

$263.95CAD

Verdure Victory, Polished Leafy Ginkgo-Shaped 18k Gold-Plated Dangle Earrings

Teresa Gonzalez

(11)

$263.95CAD Wholesale

$263.95CAD

Inca Comets, Modern Sterling Silver Dangle Lapis Lazuli Earrings

Tiberio Gonzales

(190)

$259.15CAD Wholesale

~~$288.39CAD~~ $259.15CAD

Gold accented chalcedony dangle earrings, 'Appealing Modernity' - Gold Accented Chalcedony Dangle Earrings from India

Bestseller

Appealing Modernity, Gold Accented Chalcedony Dangle Earrings from India

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

$257.11CAD Wholesale

$257.11CAD

Fan Delight, Taxco 925 Silver Turquoise Fan-Shaped Chandelier Earrings

Roy Nilson

(132)

$257.11CAD Wholesale

$257.11CAD

Fan Fantasy, Taxco Sterling Silver Turquoise Fan-Themed Dangle Earrings

Roy Nilson

(132)

$257.11CAD Wholesale

$257.11CAD

Exquisite Shapes, Modern Taxco 925 Silver Dangle Earrings with Obsidian Stone

Roy Nilson

(132)

$257.11CAD Wholesale

$257.11CAD

Ese Ne Tekrema, Adinkra Ese Ne Tekrema Dangle Earrings from Ghana

Joycelyn Sena Zigah

(26)

$255.19CAD Wholesale

$255.19CAD

Spark of Blue, Turquoise and Taxco 950 Silver Artisan Crafted Earrings

Alon Diller

(455)

$250.27CAD Wholesale

$250.27CAD

Obsidian and citrine dangle earrings, 'Dewdrop' - Obsidian and citrine dangle earrings

Bestseller

Dewdrop, Obsidian and citrine dangle earrings

Alon Diller

(455)

$246.36CAD Wholesale

$246.36CAD

Ruby dangle earrings, 'Leaf Cascade' - 40-Carat Ruby Dangle Earrings from India

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Leaf Cascade, 40-Carat Ruby Dangle Earrings from India

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

$243.42CAD Wholesale

$243.42CAD

Multi-gemstone dangle earrings, 'Glittering Combination' - 48-Carat Multi-Gemstone Dangle Earrings from India

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Glittering Combination, 48-Carat Multi-Gemstone Dangle Earrings from India

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

$243.42CAD Wholesale

$243.42CAD

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Dual Symmetry' - Modern Taxco Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Bestseller

Dual Symmetry, Modern Taxco Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Roy Nilson

(132)

$243.42CAD Wholesale

$243.42CAD

Turquoise dangle earrings, 'Modern Beauty' - Modern Taxco 925 Silver Dangle Earrings with Turquoise Stone

Bestseller

Modern Beauty, Modern Taxco 925 Silver Dangle Earrings with Turquoise Stone

Roy Nilson

(132)

$243.42CAD Wholesale

$243.42CAD

Beaded sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Cycles of Peace' - Romantic Nature-Themed Round Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Coming back

Cycles of Peace, Romantic Nature-Themed Round Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Eduardo Villegas Reyes

$243.42CAD Wholesale

$243.42CAD

Abstract Flair, Modern Taxco 925 Silver Dangle Earrings with Turquoise Stone

Roy Nilson

(132)

$243.42CAD Wholesale

$243.42CAD

Artisanal Gala, 24k Gold Plated Cultured Pearl Filigree Chandelier Earrings

Alfredo Inga

(186)

$243.42CAD Wholesale

$243.42CAD

Hypnotic Gold, 21k Gold Plated Sterling Silver Filigree Dangle Earrings

Giuliana Valz-Gen

(183)

$243.42CAD Wholesale

$243.42CAD

Vibrant Me, Polished 18k Gold-Plated Multi-Gemstone Dangle Earrings

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

$243.42CAD Wholesale

$243.42CAD

Mesmerized, Hand Crafted Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from India

Bhavesh

(1335)

$243.42CAD Wholesale

$243.42CAD

Nautilus Treasure, Filigree Silver Dangle Earrings

Eva Souto

(6)

$243.30CAD Wholesale

~~$270.80CAD~~ $243.30CAD

Roman Mirror, Gold Plated Roman Glass Earrings

National Geographic Classic Collection

(3937)

$242.44CAD Wholesale

$242.44CAD

Floral Adoration, Flower-Themed Silver Chandelier Earrings from Mexico

Mazahua Family

(39)

$241.47CAD Wholesale

$241.47CAD

Traditional Taxco, Natural Turquoise Dove Motif Earrings

Roy Nilson

(132)

$241.47CAD Wholesale

$241.47CAD

Amethyst cluster earrings, 'Grapes of Love' - Sterling Silver and Amethyst Earrings Indian Jewellery

Bestseller

Grapes of Love, Sterling Silver and Amethyst Earrings Indian Jewellery

Shanker

(1425)

$239.51CAD Wholesale

$239.51CAD

Garnet floral earrings, 'Crimson Leaves' - Fair Trade Jewellery Garnet Earrings India

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Crimson Leaves, Fair Trade Jewellery Garnet Earrings India

Neeru Goel

(2379)

$239.51CAD Wholesale

$239.51CAD

Crescent Drop, Peruvian Gold-Plated Filigree Chandelier Earrings

Giuliana Valz-Gen

(183)

$236.58CAD Wholesale

$236.58CAD

Lunar Divinity, 2-Carat Natural Multi-Gemstone Dangle Earrings from India

Shawn Martin

(11)

$236.58CAD Wholesale

$236.58CAD

Garlands, Floral 21K Gold Vermeil Filigree Dangle Earrings

Giuliana Valz-Gen

(183)

$235.60CAD Wholesale

$235.60CAD

Gold plated sterling silver filigree dangle earrings, 'Gold Sunrise Dew' - 24k Gold Plated Sterling Silver Filigree Earrings from Peru

Coming back

Gold Sunrise Dew, 24k Gold Plated Sterling Silver Filigree Earrings from Peru

Alfredo Inga

(186)

$230.71CAD Wholesale

$230.71CAD

Sacred Pearl, 24k Gold-Plated Cultured Pearl Cross Statement Earrings

Ali Guzman

$230.71CAD Wholesale

$230.71CAD

Natural Freedom, Nature-Inspired Sterling Amethyst Silver Dangle Earrings

Nicte Migliozzi

(47)

$230.71CAD Wholesale

$230.71CAD

Bewitching Blooms, Taxco Sterling Silver Turquoise Floral Dangle Earrings

Roy Nilson

(132)

$230.71CAD Wholesale

$230.71CAD

Florid, Ornate Turquoise Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Gianluca Anzani

(262)

$230.71CAD Wholesale

$230.71CAD

Mayan Om in Lilac, Jade Om Dangle Earrings in Lilac from Guatemala

Nicte Migliozzi

(47)

$230.71CAD Wholesale

$230.71CAD

Peaceful Oasis, Sterling Silver Doves Atop Teardrop Frame Dangle Earrings

Maria Belen Nilson

(123)

$230.71CAD Wholesale

$230.71CAD

Traditional Blooms, Floral Turquoise Earrings

Roy Nilson

(132)

$227.78CAD Wholesale

$227.78CAD

Land of Maize, Sterling Silver and Natural Amber Mexican Earrings

Flora Maria

(92)

$227.78CAD Wholesale

$227.78CAD

Rosy Hearts, Rhodium Plated Rose Quartz Heart Earrings from Thailand

Michael Krainer

(203)

$227.78CAD Wholesale

$227.78CAD

Expression, Dangle Earrings with Red Jasper

Tiberio Gonzales

(190)

$227.78CAD Wholesale

$227.78CAD

Expression, Sterling Silver and Chrysocolla Earrings

Tiberio Gonzales

(190)

$227.78CAD Wholesale

$227.78CAD

Vintage Gleam, 18k Gold Plated Citrine Dangle Earrings from Bali

Zayd Makarim

(559)

$224.04CAD Wholesale

~~$263.95CAD~~ $224.04CAD

Back to My Roots, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Joycelyn Sena Zigah

(26)

$223.66CAD Wholesale

$223.66CAD

Freedom Hearts, Mexican Hearts Artisan Crafted Sterling Silver Earrings

Maria Belen Nilson

(123)

$222.89CAD Wholesale

$222.89CAD

Filigree Beauty, Hand Crafted 21K Gold Plated on Sterling Dangle Earrings

Giuliana Valz-Gen

(183)

$221.91CAD Wholesale

$221.91CAD

Dazzling Dew, Handcrafted Sterling Silver Blue Topaz Earring Floral Jewelr

Alok Jain

(1879)

$218.98CAD Wholesale

$218.98CAD

Prasiolite dangle earrings, 'Dazzling' - Silver Earrings from Bali Featuring 10 Carats of Prasiolite

Bestseller

Dazzling, Silver Earrings from Bali Featuring 10 Carats of Prasiolite

Zayd Makarim

(559)

$218.30CAD Wholesale

~~$230.71CAD~~ $218.30CAD

Vintage Gleam, Gold Plated Blue Topaz Half-Hoop Dangle Earrings from Bali

Zayd Makarim

(559)

$218.30CAD Wholesale

~~$257.11CAD~~ $218.30CAD

Sterling silver chandelier earrings, 'Mazahua Treasure' - Heart Motif Chandelier Earrings

Bestseller

Mazahua Treasure, Heart Motif Chandelier Earrings

Mazahua Family

(39)

$217.03CAD Wholesale

$217.03CAD

Cool Crescent Moon, Light Green Jade Moon Eclipse Handcrafted Earrings

Zandra Lorena Sajbin

(630)

$217.03CAD Wholesale

$217.03CAD

Nectar Drops, Gold Plated Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Michael Krainer

(203)

$217.03CAD Wholesale

$217.03CAD

Flourishing Heart, Heart-Shaped Gold-Plated Earrings

Alfredo Inga

(186)

$217.03CAD Wholesale

$217.03CAD

Sinuous Slyness, Silver Snake Dangle Earrings in a Polished Finish

Paula Solano

$217.03CAD Wholesale

$217.03CAD

Face of the Moon, Jade dangle earrings

Zandra Lorena Sajbin

(630)

$217.03CAD Wholesale

$217.03CAD

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