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 Bohemian at NOVICA Canada

Love Doves, Mexico Antique Style Sterling Silver and Turquoise Earrings

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$343.99CAD

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$316.99CAD Wholesale

$316.99CAD

Western Skies, Turquoise and Blue Topaz Silver Drop Earrings from Mexico

Alon Diller

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$313.99CAD Wholesale

$313.99CAD

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)

$268.99CAD Wholesale

$268.99CAD

Crescent Drop, Peruvian Gold-Plated Filigree Chandelier Earrings

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(183)

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$240.99CAD

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Huichol Center for Cultural Survival and Tradition

(8)

$206.99CAD Wholesale

$206.99CAD

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(255)

$206.99CAD Wholesale

$206.99CAD

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Union of Branches' - Bali Leaf and Flower Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Coming back

Union of Branches, Bali Leaf and Flower Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Ayu Puspita

$192.99CAD Wholesale

$192.99CAD

Immortal Frida, Handcrafted Frida Kahlo Huichol Earrings in Beadwork

Huichol Center for Cultural Survival and Tradition

(8)

$189.99CAD Wholesale

$189.99CAD

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Ni Wayan Astiti

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$178.99CAD

Amor Eterno, Antiqued Sterling Silver Birds and Hearts Earrings

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(123)

$178.99CAD Wholesale

$178.99CAD

Turquoise Jikuri, Turquoise Floral Beadwork Huichol Waterfall Earrings

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(8)

$171.99CAD Wholesale

$171.99CAD

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$171.99CAD Wholesale

$171.99CAD

Golden Bees, Bee-Themed Amber Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Flora Maria

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$165.99CAD Wholesale

$165.99CAD

Elegant Drop, Turquoise & Garnet Ornate Silver Dangle Earrings from Mexico

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$165.99CAD Wholesale

$165.99CAD

Splice the Knots, Sterling Silver Half-Hoop Earrings Handcrafted in Bali

Nyoman Ariawan

(255)

$165.99CAD Wholesale

$165.99CAD

Sterling silver hoop earrings, 'Layer of Life' - Sterling Silver Fashion Hoop Earrings from Bali

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Layer of Life, Sterling Silver Fashion Hoop Earrings from Bali

Nyoman Ariawan

(255)

$165.99CAD Wholesale

$165.99CAD

Teardrop, Peruvian 21K Gold Plated Filigree Dangle Earrings

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(183)

$161.99CAD Wholesale

$161.99CAD

Mixed Media in Aqua, Handmade Gold Plated Earrings

Martha and Ambar Mireles

$158.40CAD Wholesale

~~$176.99CAD~~ $158.40CAD

Mixed Media in Royal, Beaded Gold Plate Dangle Earrings

Martha and Ambar Mireles

$158.40CAD Wholesale

~~$176.99CAD~~ $158.40CAD

Mixed Media in Turquoise, Ceramic and Crystal Gold Plated Earrings

Martha and Ambar Mireles

$158.40CAD Wholesale

~~$176.99CAD~~ $158.40CAD

Infinite Finesse, Fair Trade Women's Sterling Silver Filigree Earrings

Kenari

(562)

$153.99CAD Wholesale

$153.99CAD

Silver Trees, Tree Theme Taxco 950 Silver Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Alon Diller

(455)

$151.99CAD Wholesale

$151.99CAD

Romantic Bract, Balinese Amethyst Sterling Silver Leaf Dangle Earrings

Ayu Puspita

$151.99CAD Wholesale

$151.99CAD

Hamsa Symbol, Gold Vermeil Filigree Artisan Crafted Hamsa Symbol Earrings

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$151.99CAD Wholesale

$151.99CAD

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$137.99CAD

Lanna Waterfall in Orange, White and Orange Long Beaded Waterfall Earrings

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(180)

$137.99CAD Wholesale

$137.99CAD

Hamsa Symbol, Artisan Crafted Sterling Filigree Hamsa Symbol Earrings

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(183)

$130.99CAD Wholesale

$130.99CAD

Rainbow's End, Rainbow Moonstone Earrings in 18k Gold Plated Silver

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(1609)

$123.99CAD Wholesale

$123.99CAD

Seed Garden, Leaf and Buds Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Bali

Ayu Puspita

$123.99CAD Wholesale

$123.99CAD

Amber Sea, Ocean-Themed Amber Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Flora Maria

(92)

$123.99CAD Wholesale

$123.99CAD

Conical Leaf, Blue Topaz Amethyst and Sterling Silver Leaf Drop Earrings

Ayu Puspita

$123.99CAD Wholesale

$123.99CAD

Vines of the Valley, Bali Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Vine Motif

Ayu Puspita

$123.99CAD Wholesale

$123.99CAD

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Ana Mirez

(2)

$123.99CAD Wholesale

$123.99CAD

Flying Butterflies, Butterfly-Themed Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Flora Maria

(92)

$120.99CAD Wholesale

$120.99CAD

Flower Knots, Knot Sterling Silver Button Earrings Crafted in Bali

Nyoman Ariawan

(255)

$120.99CAD Wholesale

$120.99CAD

Blossoming Bali, Sterling Silver Floral Drop Earrings with Blue Topaz Stones

Buana

(2373)

$120.99CAD Wholesale

$120.99CAD

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'The Mellow Hibiscus' - Balinese Flower and Leaf Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Coming back

The Mellow Hibiscus, Balinese Flower and Leaf Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Ayu Puspita

$120.99CAD Wholesale

$120.99CAD

Pa Sak Lavender, Lavender and White Glass Beaded Waterfall Earrings

Siriporn

(180)

$116.99CAD Wholesale

$116.99CAD

Alluring Elegance, Silver Dangle Earrings with Cultured Mabe Pearl & Amethyst

Made Sugi

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$116.99CAD Wholesale

$116.99CAD

Amazing Waterfall in Purple, Artisan Crafted Long Beaded Waterfall Earrings in Purple

Siriporn

(180)

$113.44CAD Wholesale

~~$151.99CAD~~ $113.44CAD

Pearl chandelier earrings, 'Indian Ivory' - Pearl chandelier earrings

Bestseller

Indian Ivory, Pearl chandelier earrings

Narayani

(693)

$112.99CAD Wholesale

$112.99CAD

Beaded dangle earrings, 'Seven Days' (7 pairs) - Multi-coloured Beaded Hoop Earrings (Set of 7)

Seven Days, Multi-coloured Beaded Hoop Earrings (Set of 7)

Ana Mirez

(2)

$110CAD Wholesale

~~$137.99CAD~~ $110CAD

Gold-plated filigree dangle earrings, 'Gem Rain' - Gold-plated Agate And Swarovski Dangle Earrings From Mexico

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Gem Rain, Gold-plated Agate And Swarovski Dangle Earrings From Mexico

Alejandra Aceves

(48)

$109.99CAD Wholesale

$109.99CAD

Multi-gemstone dangle earrings, 'Rainbow Hummingbirds' - Gemstone Combo Hummingbird Dangle Earrings from Peru

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Rainbow Hummingbirds, Gemstone Combo Hummingbird Dangle Earrings from Peru

Bertha Vera

(30)

$109.99CAD Wholesale

$109.99CAD

Trendy Purple, Gold-Accented Sterling Silver and Amethyst Dangle Earrings

Dewi Putera

(350)

$109.99CAD Wholesale

$109.99CAD

The Leaf Crown, Sterling Silver Leaf and Flower Half-Hoop Earrings from Bali

Ayu Puspita

$109.99CAD Wholesale

$109.99CAD

Luminous Sentries, Double Disk Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Peru

Teodoro Melendez and Family

(135)

$109.99CAD Wholesale

$109.99CAD

Feathers, Double Feather Sterling Silver Earrings Handmade 925 Jewellery

Withaya Cheunjit

(77)

$109.99CAD Wholesale

$109.99CAD

Sprig of Leaves, Bali Leaf Vine Flower Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Ayu Puspita

$109.99CAD Wholesale

$109.99CAD

Floral Corona, Flower-Shaped Gold Plated Sterling Silver Earrings from Peru

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(138)

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$109.99CAD

Regal Glam, Lapis Lazuli and Carnelian Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

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(11)

$109.99CAD Wholesale

$109.99CAD

Woman's Love in Blue, Balinese Sterling Silver Drop Earrings with Blue Topaz Stone

Ketut Udiana

(9)

$109.99CAD Wholesale

$109.99CAD

Leaf Clarity, Balinese Cultured Pearl Sterling Silver Leaf Dangle Earrings

Ayu Puspita

$107.99CAD Wholesale

$107.99CAD

Delight in Blue, Blue and Black Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings from Costa Rica

Marice Nuñez

(2)

$107.99CAD Wholesale

$107.99CAD

Delight in Aqua, Aqua Green Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings from Costa Rica

Marice Nuñez

(2)

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Silver Spring, Sterling Silver Handmade Balinese Small Half-Hoop Earrings

Komang Suastra

(619)

$107.99CAD Wholesale

$107.99CAD

Bali Belle, Sterling Silver Chandelier Earrings

Wayan Asmana

(910)

$104.99CAD Wholesale

$104.99CAD

Amethyst dangle earrings, 'Vibrating Flight' - Sterling Silver Hummingbird Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Bestseller

Vibrating Flight, Sterling Silver Hummingbird Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Flora Maria

(92)

$103.99CAD Wholesale

$103.99CAD

Onyx dangle earrings, 'Royal Medallion' - Handcrafted Sterling Silver and Onyx Dangle Earrings

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Royal Medallion, Handcrafted Sterling Silver and Onyx Dangle Earrings

Sukartini

(570)

$103.99CAD Wholesale

$103.99CAD

Gold-accented cultured Mabe pearl dangle earrings, 'Starry Garden' - Gold-Accented Silver & Cultured Mabe Pearl Dangle Earrings

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Starry Garden, Gold-Accented Silver & Cultured Mabe Pearl Dangle Earrings

Dewi Putera

(350)

$103.99CAD Wholesale

$103.99CAD

Frangipani Heart, 925 Silver Heart Dangle Earrings with Garnet & Gold Accents

Dewi Putera

(350)

$103.99CAD Wholesale

$103.99CAD

Azure Hummingbird, Chrysocolla and Onyx Hummingbird Dangle Earrings from Peru

Bertha Vera

(30)

$103.99CAD Wholesale

$103.99CAD

Frangipani Wise Heart, Heart-Shaped Dangle Earrings with Amethyst & Gold Accents

Dewi Putera

(350)

$103.99CAD Wholesale

$103.99CAD

Enchanting Eclipse, Handcrafted Beaded Waterfall Earrings with Eclipse Motif

Tunurima Lopez

(5)

$103.99CAD Wholesale

$103.99CAD

Simply Irresistible, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Blue Topaz and Peridot

Narayani

(693)

$99CAD Wholesale

~~$109.99CAD~~ $99CAD

Green Beauty, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Pear Peridot Stones

Budiharta

(84)

$99CAD Wholesale

~~$109.99CAD~~ $99CAD

Peridot drop earrings, 'Woman's Love in Green' - Sterling Silver Drop Earrings with Peridot Stone from Bali

Coming back

Woman's Love in Green, Sterling Silver Drop Earrings with Peridot Stone from Bali

Ketut Udiana

(9)

$99CAD Wholesale

~~$109.99CAD~~ $99CAD

Elegant Mix, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Cultured Pearl & Garnet

Narayani

(693)

$96.99CAD Wholesale

$96.99CAD

Beloved Landscapes, Hand-Painted Cedarwood Dangle Earrings with Green Tassels

Meliza Tzay

(7)

$96.99CAD Wholesale

$96.99CAD

Timeless Glam, Crystal Beaded Drop Earrings with Gold-Toned Copper Wires

Sonia Chaves

$96.99CAD Wholesale

$96.99CAD

Mystic Purple, 925 Silver Dangle Earrings with Amethysts and Gold Accents

Dewi Putera

(350)

$96.99CAD Wholesale

$96.99CAD

Shadow Mirror, Gold-Accented Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Amethysts

Dewi Putera

(350)

$96.99CAD Wholesale

$96.99CAD

Vines of Leaves, Sterling Silver Vines and Leaves Dangle Earrings from Bali

Ayu Puspita

$96.99CAD Wholesale

$96.99CAD

Black Fantasy, Sterling Silver Floral Dangle Earrings with Cubic Zirconia

Karang Adiguna

(3)

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Sunset Garden, Carnelian and Sterling Silver Fashion Dangle Earrings

Shawn Martin

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Beloved Forests, Hand-Painted Cedarwood Dangle Earrings with Tassels

Meliza Tzay

(7)

$96.99CAD Wholesale

$96.99CAD

Romantic Fringe, Sterling Silver Oval Chandelier Earrings from Thailand

Angels

(76)

$96.99CAD Wholesale

$96.99CAD

Hill Tribe Fans, Thai Hill Tribe Style Silver Dangle Earrings

Chanatip Na Lampoon

(34)

$96.99CAD Wholesale

$96.99CAD

Spiral Twister, Spiral-Shaped 18k Gold-Plated Half-Hoop Earrings from Bali

Desi Antari

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$96.99CAD Wholesale

$96.99CAD

Misty Glam, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Moonstone Beads

Shawn Martin

(11)

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$96.99CAD

Karen Sunflowers, Handmade Karen Silver Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Chanatip Na Lampoon

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$96.99CAD

Batur at Night, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Lava Stone from Bali

Rupadana

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$96.99CAD

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