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

Dragonfly Intricacy, Sterling Silver Dragonfly Stud Earrings from Bali

Anya

(29)

$32.15CAD Wholesale

~~$38.12CAD~~ $32.15CAD

Dragonfly Complexity, Dragonfly Wing Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Bali

Budiharta

(84)

$34.45CAD Wholesale

~~$41.05CAD~~ $34.45CAD

Airy Wings, Karen Silver Dragonfly Drop Earrings

Sasithon Saisuk

(142)

$35.19CAD Wholesale

$35.19CAD

Dragonfly Wrap, Artisan Crafted Sterling Silver Dragonfly Drop Earrings

Lalana

(549)

$38.12CAD Wholesale

$38.12CAD

Enchanted Dragonfly, Sterling Silver Citrine Dangle Earrings

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

$40.20CAD Wholesale

~~$47.89CAD~~ $40.20CAD

Baby Dragonfly, Silver Button Earrings

Wadarat Supasirisuk

(1675)

$41.05CAD Wholesale

$41.05CAD

Enchanted Dragonfly, Reconstituted Turquoise and Silver Earrings

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

$44.33CAD Wholesale

~~$52.78CAD~~ $44.33CAD

Shimmering Wings, Gold Accented Sterling Silver Dragonfly Earrings from Bali

Made Suyana

(51)

$45.95CAD Wholesale

~~$54.74CAD~~ $45.95CAD

Kintamani Dragonfly in Blue, Dragonfly Theme Earrings Crafted from Sterling and Topaz

Wayan Asmana

(910)

$45.95CAD Wholesale

~~$54.74CAD~~ $45.95CAD

Sterling silver and marcasite stud earrings, 'Petite Dragonflies' - Sterling Silver Artisan Crafted Stud Earrings from Thailand

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Petite Dragonflies, Sterling Silver Artisan Crafted Stud Earrings from Thailand

Wadarat Supasirisuk

(1675)

$48.87CAD Wholesale

$48.87CAD

Skyward Wanderers, Dragonfly Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Pichaya

(1256)

$51.81CAD Wholesale

$51.81CAD

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

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$51.81CAD Wholesale

$51.81CAD

Mekong Dragonflies, Handmade Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Wadarat Supasirisuk

(1675)

$54.74CAD Wholesale

$54.74CAD

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

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$54.74CAD Wholesale

$54.74CAD

Dragonfly Dreams, Silver dangle earrings

Chanatip Na Lampoon

(34)

$55.72CAD Wholesale

$55.72CAD

Enchanted Dragonfly, Smoky quartz dangle earrings

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD

Free Flying, Handmade 925 Sterling Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD

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

Desi Antari

(583)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD

Passionate Change, Dragonfly Dangle Earrings with Natural Garnet Stones

Made Sugi

(291)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD

Harmonious Change, Dragonfly Dangle Earrings with Natural Rainbow Moonstones

Made Sugi

(291)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD

Capung Dragonflies, Sterling Silver Dragonfly Shaped Dangle Earrings

Yus Swarmana

(93)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD

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

Made Suyana

(51)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD

Dragonfly Crown, Dragonfly Dangle Earrings with Garnet

Made Wardika

(1081)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD

Heaven's Dragonfly, Dragonfly-Shaped Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Bali

Griya Suarningsih

(16)

$57.44CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $57.44CAD

Garden Companions, Sterling Butterfly and Dragonfly Earrings

Flora Maria

(92)

$60.82CAD Wholesale

~~$68.42CAD~~ $60.82CAD

Lagoon Dragonfly, Blue and Green Sterling Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings

Del Toro Family

(21)

$61.58CAD Wholesale

$61.58CAD

Dragonfly Delight, Handmade Balinese Sterling Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

$63.18CAD Wholesale

~~$75.27CAD~~ $63.18CAD

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

Budiharta

(84)

$63.18CAD Wholesale

~~$75.27CAD~~ $63.18CAD

Dragonfly's Rest, Dainty Egg Shaped Silver Earrings with Dragonflies

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

$63.18CAD Wholesale

~~$75.27CAD~~ $63.18CAD

Garnet dangle earrings, 'Dragonfly Fantasy in Red' - Garnet and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings of Dragonflies

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Dragonfly Fantasy in Red, Garnet and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings of Dragonflies

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

$65.49CAD Wholesale

$65.49CAD

Dragonfly Fantasy in Blue, Reconstituted Turquoise and Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

$65.49CAD Wholesale

$65.49CAD

Dragonfly Idyll, Artisan Crafted Sterling Silver Earrings

Dwi Adiastuti

(45)

$66.63CAD Wholesale

~~$79.18CAD~~ $66.63CAD

Dragonfly Altar, Handmade 925 Sterling Silver Blue Topaz Dragonfly Earrings

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

$66.63CAD Wholesale

~~$79.18CAD~~ $66.63CAD

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

Sterling silver hoop earrings, 'Dragonfly Reflection' - Sterling Silver Dragonfly Hoop Earrings from Thailand

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Dragonfly Reflection, Sterling Silver Dragonfly Hoop Earrings from Thailand

Lalana

(549)

$68.42CAD Wholesale

$68.42CAD

Lone Dragonfly, Sterling Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings from Bali

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD

Dragonfly Altar, Handmade 925 Sterling Silver Garnet Dragonfly Earrings

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD

Dragonfly Altar, Handmade 925 Sterling Silver Amethyst Dragonfly Earrings

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD

Romantic Dragonflies, Gold Plated Sterling Silver Dragonfly Earrings from Bali

Asmara Putra

(237)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD

Dragonfly Playground, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Dragonfly Motif

Dewa Arimbawa

(792)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

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Harmony Prophecy, Rainbow Moonstone Dragonfly Dangle Earrings from Bali

Made Sugi

(291)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD

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

Desi Antari

(583)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD

Kintamani Dragonfly in Crimson, Silver Dragonfly Earrings with 1 Carat Garnet Accents

Wayan Asmana

(910)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD

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

Komang Budiarta

(22)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD

Dragonfly Shadows, Polished Dragonfly-Themed Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Griya Suarningsih

(16)

$68.92CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $68.92CAD

Lapis lazuli and chrysocolla stud earrings, 'Night Dragonflies' - Lapis Lazuli and Chrysocolla Dragonfly Earrings from Peru

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Night Dragonflies, Lapis Lazuli and Chrysocolla Dragonfly Earrings from Peru

Bertha Vera

(30)

$72.98CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $72.98CAD

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

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

Island Dragonflies, Handcrafted Balinese 925 Silver and Cultured Pearl Earrings

Putu Putri

(517)

$74.67CAD Wholesale

~~$87.98CAD~~ $74.67CAD

Garden Dance, Handmade Balinese Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Dewa Arimbawa

(792)

$74.67CAD Wholesale

~~$87.98CAD~~ $74.67CAD

Wings of Love, Handmade Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Wadarat Supasirisuk

(1675)

$76.25CAD Wholesale

$76.25CAD

Dragonfly Wish, Amethyst and Blue Topaz Dangle Earrings

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

$76.36CAD Wholesale

~~$89.93CAD~~ $76.36CAD

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

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Dragonfly Breeze, Dragonfly Sterling Silver Earrings from Bali

Nyoman Ariawan

(255)

$77.04CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $77.04CAD

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

Cultured mabe pearl dangle earrings, 'Perching Dragonfly' - Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings with Cultured Mabe Pearl

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Perching Dragonfly, Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings with Cultured Mabe Pearl

Ketut Udiana

(9)

$77.04CAD Wholesale

~~$81.13CAD~~ $77.04CAD

Dragonfly Duet, Sterling Silver and Amethyst Dragonfly Dangle Earrings

Wayan Neri

(346)

$80.41CAD Wholesale

~~$94.82CAD~~ $80.41CAD

Dragonfly Antics, Handcrafted Amethyst Earrings from Bali

Ni Wayan Astiti

(147)

$80.41CAD Wholesale

~~$94.82CAD~~ $80.41CAD

Blue Flutter, Artisan Crafted Blue Topaz Dangle Earrings

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

$80.41CAD Wholesale

~~$94.82CAD~~ $80.41CAD

Dragonfly Days, Amethyst Dragonfly Dangle Earrings from Bali

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

$80.41CAD Wholesale

~~$94.82CAD~~ $80.41CAD

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

Del Toro Family

(21)

$81.13CAD Wholesale

$81.13CAD

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

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

$81.13CAD Wholesale

$81.13CAD

Sterling silver drop earrings, 'Dragonfly Allure' - Indonesian Handmade Sterling Silver Dragonfly Drop Earrings

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Dragonfly Allure, Indonesian Handmade Sterling Silver Dragonfly Drop Earrings

Nyoman Rena

(2218)

$83.26CAD Wholesale

~~$94.82CAD~~ $83.26CAD

Dragonfly Duet, Garnet and Sterling Silver Handmade Dragonfly Earrings

Wayan Neri

(346)

$86.16CAD Wholesale

~~$101.66CAD~~ $86.16CAD

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'White Dragonfly' - Dragonfly Earrings in Sandblasted Sterling Silver 925

Coming back

White Dragonfly, Dragonfly Earrings in Sandblasted Sterling Silver 925

Desi Antari

(583)

$86.16CAD Wholesale

~~$101.66CAD~~ $86.16CAD

Amber and amethyst dangle earrings, 'Golden Dragonflies' - Amber and Amethyst Silver Dangle Earrings from Mexico

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Golden Dragonflies, Amber and Amethyst Silver Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Flora Maria

(92)

$87.98CAD Wholesale

$87.98CAD

Dragonfly Fun, Artisan Crafted Blue Topaz Earrings

Ni Wayan Astiti

(147)

$103.40CAD Wholesale

~~$122.20CAD~~ $103.40CAD

Sterling silver filigree earrings, 'Poised Dragonflies' - Sterling Silver Filigree Hook Earrings With Copper Accents

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Poised Dragonflies, Sterling Silver Filigree Hook Earrings With Copper Accents

Carlos Yauri

(44)

$129.04CAD Wholesale

$129.04CAD

Frangipani Dragonflies, Balinese Blue Topaz Half Hoop Earrings in Sterling Silver

Kadek Hendra

(693)

$132.12CAD Wholesale

~~$155.43CAD~~ $132.12CAD

Rainbow Flyer, Gold-Accented Dragonfly Dangle Earrings

Kadek Hendra

(693)

$137.87CAD Wholesale

~~$162.28CAD~~ $137.87CAD

Tinti Kaballu, Sterling Silver Filigree Dragonfly Earrings

Alfredo Inga

(186)

$162.28CAD Wholesale

$162.28CAD

Magic Dragonfly, Garnet and Agate Dragonfly Hoop Earrings

Francisco Sanchez

(186)

$203.34CAD Wholesale

$203.34CAD

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