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 Dragonfly at NOVICA Canada

Enchanted Dragonfly, Smoky quartz dangle earrings

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD
Bestseller

Dragonfly Breeze, Dragonfly Sterling Silver Earrings from Bali

Nyoman Ariawan

(255)

$77.04CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $77.04CAD
Free Flying, Handmade 925 Sterling Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD
Lone Dragonfly, Sterling Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings from Bali

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD
Dragonfly Intricacy, Sterling Silver Dragonfly Stud Earrings from Bali

Anya

(29)

$32.15CAD Wholesale

~~$38.12CAD~~ $32.15CAD
Dragonfly Altar, Handmade 925 Sterling Silver Garnet Dragonfly Earrings

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD
Dragonfly Idyll, Artisan Crafted Sterling Silver Earrings

Dwi Adiastuti

(45)

$66.63CAD Wholesale

~~$79.18CAD~~ $66.63CAD
Dragonfly Altar, Handmade 925 Sterling Silver Amethyst Dragonfly Earrings

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD
Dragonfly Playground, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Dragonfly Motif

Dewa Arimbawa

(792)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD
Magic in the Palace, Traditional Dragonfly 6-Carat Amethyst Dangle Earrings

Anya

(29)

$74.67CAD Wholesale

~~$87.98CAD~~ $74.67CAD
Magic in the Dark, Traditional Dragonfly-Themed 5-Carat Onyx Dangle Earrings

Anya

(29)

$74.67CAD Wholesale

~~$87.98CAD~~ $74.67CAD
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
Dragonfly Daydreams, Blue Topaz and Sterling Silver Dragonfly Button Earrings

Ni Wayan Astiti

(147)

$74.67CAD Wholesale

~~$87.98CAD~~ $74.67CAD
Dragonfly Duet, Garnet and Sterling Silver Handmade Dragonfly Earrings

Wayan Neri

(346)

$86.16CAD Wholesale

~~$101.66CAD~~ $86.16CAD
Capung Dragonflies, Sterling Silver Dragonfly Shaped Dangle Earrings

Yus Swarmana

(93)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD
Dragonfly Fun, Artisan Crafted Blue Topaz Earrings

Ni Wayan Astiti

(147)

$103.40CAD Wholesale

~~$122.20CAD~~ $103.40CAD
Island Dragonflies, Handcrafted Balinese 925 Silver and Cultured Pearl Earrings

Putu Putri

(517)

$74.67CAD Wholesale

~~$87.98CAD~~ $74.67CAD
Dragonfly Antics, Handcrafted Amethyst Earrings from Bali

Ni Wayan Astiti

(147)

$80.41CAD Wholesale

~~$94.82CAD~~ $80.41CAD
Dragonfly Altar, Handmade 925 Sterling Silver Blue Topaz Dragonfly Earrings

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

$66.63CAD Wholesale

~~$79.18CAD~~ $66.63CAD
Dragonfly Delight, Handmade Balinese Sterling Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

$63.18CAD Wholesale

~~$75.27CAD~~ $63.18CAD
Enchanted Dragonfly, Reconstituted Turquoise and Silver Earrings

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

$44.33CAD Wholesale

~~$52.78CAD~~ $44.33CAD
Kintamani Dragonfly in Blue, Dragonfly Theme Earrings Crafted from Sterling and Topaz

Wayan Asmana

(910)

$45.95CAD Wholesale

~~$54.74CAD~~ $45.95CAD
Kintamani Dragonfly in Crimson, Silver Dragonfly Earrings with 1 Carat Garnet Accents

Wayan Asmana

(910)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD
Dragonfly Wish, Amethyst and Blue Topaz Dangle Earrings

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

$76.36CAD Wholesale

~~$89.93CAD~~ $76.36CAD
Dragonfly's Rest, Dainty Egg Shaped Silver Earrings with Dragonflies

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

$63.18CAD Wholesale

~~$75.27CAD~~ $63.18CAD
Frangipani Dragonflies, Balinese Blue Topaz Half Hoop Earrings in Sterling Silver

Kadek Hendra

(693)

$132.12CAD Wholesale

~~$155.43CAD~~ $132.12CAD
Enchanting Dragonfly, Polished Dragonfly-Themed 18k Gold-Plated Drop Earrings

Komang Budiarta

(22)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD
Dragonfly Days, Amethyst Dragonfly Dangle Earrings from Bali

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

$80.41CAD Wholesale

~~$94.82CAD~~ $80.41CAD
Heaven's Dragonfly, Dragonfly-Shaped Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Bali

Griya Suarningsih

(16)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD
Coming back

White Dragonfly, Dragonfly Earrings in Sandblasted Sterling Silver 925

Desi Antari

(583)

$86.16CAD Wholesale

~~$101.66CAD~~ $86.16CAD
Sweet Dragonfly, Cubic Zirconia Dragonfly Dangle Earrings

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

$66.63CAD Wholesale

~~$79.18CAD~~ $66.63CAD
Dragonfly Altar, Handmade 925 Sterling Silver Peridot Dragonfly Earrings

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

$66.63CAD Wholesale

~~$79.18CAD~~ $66.63CAD
Enchanted Dragonfly, Sterling Silver Citrine Dangle Earrings

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

$40.20CAD Wholesale

~~$47.89CAD~~ $40.20CAD
Coming back

Perching Dragonfly, Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings with Cultured Mabe Pearl

Ketut Udiana

(9)

$77.04CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $77.04CAD
Bestseller

Petite Dragonflies, Sterling Silver Artisan Crafted Stud Earrings from Thailand

Wadarat Supasirisuk

(1675)

$48.87CAD Wholesale

$48.87CAD

Featured Reviews

Sterling silver filigree earrings, 'Tinti Kaballu'

Scott

Jan 20, 2022

Dragonfly Earrings

These made an endearing Christmas gift for a treasured friend whose mother loved dragonflies. These earrings as sturdy as they are beautiful. Buying something handcrafted from the artist themselves through NOVICA has been a great experience on many levels. The product is fantastic, the knowledge that my purchase helps to improve lives is rewarding, even the giftbox the earrings arrived in was high quality. I will most definitely be a regular customer of the NOVICA store.

Silver!

Dangle Jewellery

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Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Wings of Love'

Rachel

Nov 27, 2019

Look at Those Wings

For every dragonfly lover out there like myself these earrings are a must have. Love the amount of detail put into the wings to give them a realistic look and the light weight makes them easy to wear. Dragonflies are symbols of transformation, strength, joy, and on the look out for change.

Artisan Earrings!

Dangle Jewellery

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Sterling silver hoop earrings, 'Dragonfly Reflection'

Linda

Jan 31, 2018

Perfect Earrings for my Lifestyle

I have purchased other earrings from Novica (Thailand) previously, but not for some time. As soon as I saw these round/ball, huggie style earrings, I absolutely knew they were perfect for me! I like to have modern, stylish but simple jewellery that I can wear all the time, sleep, exercise, and work in etc. I saw these Dragonfly Reflection ones first, but ordered the 'Fun Life' design to start, as I thought I would prefer ones with a random, or non-recognisable pattern. Once I had worn those for a few days I knew I had to have the dragonfly ones as well, so ordered them within a week of the others! And I can't believe how _Quickly_ they have arrived from Thailand to Australia!! Fantastic! Since I got both pairs I have worn nothing else - I love them so much! They are comfortable, shine attractively on your ears, and are very well made with firm clasps that haven't come undone even though I'm sleeping with them in. Absolute new favourites! Can I please order a custom-made pair!!! :-)

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