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 Brass at NOVICA Canada

Gold-plated hoop earrings, 'Spinning Mind' - Hand Crafted Gold-Plated Brass Hoop Earrings

Bestseller

Spinning Mind, Hand Crafted Gold-Plated Brass Hoop Earrings

Dewa Nyoman Oka

(16)

$65.04CAD Wholesale

$65.04CAD

Lapis lazuli dangle earrings, 'Shining Moon in Blue' - Thai Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Shining Moon in Blue, Thai Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

$47.56CAD Wholesale

$47.56CAD

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Waterblow Beach' - Sterling Silver and Brass Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Waterblow Beach, Sterling Silver and Brass Dangle Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$119.41CAD Wholesale

$119.41CAD

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Turning Leaves' - Modern Silver Earrings with 22k Gold from Mexico

Bestseller

Turning Leaves, Modern Silver Earrings with 22k Gold from Mexico

Guillermo Arregui

(1087)

$107.76CAD Wholesale

$107.76CAD

Gold plated sterling silver and copper drop earrings, 'Nature's Enchantment' - Mexican 925 Sterling Silver Gold & Copper Earrings

Bestseller

Nature's Enchantment, Mexican 925 Sterling Silver Gold & Copper Earrings

Guillermo Arregui

(1087)

$87.25CAD Wholesale

~~$92.22CAD~~ $87.25CAD

Multi-gemstone clip-on earrings, 'Solaris in Purple' - Amethyst and Cultured Pearl Cluster Clip-On Earrings

Bestseller

Solaris in Purple, Amethyst and Cultured Pearl Cluster Clip-On Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

$40.77CAD Wholesale

$40.77CAD

Multi-gemstone beaded dangle earrings, 'Sunset Atoms' - Sunset-Toned Multi-Gemstone Beaded Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Sunset Atoms, Sunset-Toned Multi-Gemstone Beaded Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

$35.91CAD Wholesale

$35.91CAD

Reconstituted turquoise dangle earrings, 'Golden Coin in Turquoise' - Reconstituted Turquoise Bead and Brass Coin Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Golden Coin in Turquoise, Reconstituted Turquoise Bead and Brass Coin Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

$54.36CAD Wholesale

$54.36CAD

Gold plated drop earrings, 'Alam Pride' - Curl Pattern Gold Plated Brass Drop Earrings from Bali

Bestseller

Alam Pride, Curl Pattern Gold Plated Brass Drop Earrings from Bali

Komang Budiarta

(22)

$51.45CAD Wholesale

$51.45CAD

Blue quartz chandelier earrings, 'Brilliant Meteor' - Beaded Chandelier Earrings with Blue Quartz and Glass Beads

Bestseller

Brilliant Meteor, Beaded Chandelier Earrings with Blue Quartz and Glass Beads

Nareerat

(1853)

$35.91CAD Wholesale

$35.91CAD

Sensations and Seasons, Sterling Silver and Copper Drop Earrings with Gold Plating

Guillermo Arregui

(1087)

$74.75CAD Wholesale

$74.75CAD

Bloom in Magenta, Hand Crafted Sese Wood Dangle Earrings from Ghana

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

$52.21CAD Wholesale

$52.21CAD

Suku Shield, Gleaming Sterling Silver Plated Drop Earrings from Bali

Komang Budiarta

(22)

$51.45CAD Wholesale

$51.45CAD

Brilliant Meteor, Chandelier Style Earrings with Onyx and Glass Beads

Nareerat

(1853)

$35.91CAD Wholesale

$35.91CAD

All in Bloom, Hand Made Gold-Plated Brass Hoop Earrings

Dewa Nyoman Oka

(16)

$61.16CAD Wholesale

$61.16CAD

Tiger's eye and soapstone dangle earrings, 'Stormy Eyes' - Tiger's Eye and Soapstone Dangle Earrings from Ghana

Bestseller

Stormy Eyes, Tiger's Eye and Soapstone Dangle Earrings from Ghana

Rachel Armah

(45)

$54.18CAD Wholesale

$54.18CAD

Heaven Can Wait, Gold-Accented Jade Macrame Earrings

Kanjana

(42)

$40.77CAD Wholesale

$40.77CAD

African Style, Balinese Brass and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$92.22CAD Wholesale

$92.22CAD

Almost There, Gold-Plated Brass Half-Hoop Earrings

Suana Yasa

(16)

$37.85CAD Wholesale

$37.85CAD

Gold-plated brass hoop earrings, 'Hula Hoop' - Hand Made Gold-Plated Brass Endless Hoop Earrings

Bestseller

Hula Hoop, Hand Made Gold-Plated Brass Endless Hoop Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$95.14CAD Wholesale

$95.14CAD

Gold-plated dangle earrings, 'Moon Money' - Gold-Plated Crescent Moon Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Moon Money, Gold-Plated Crescent Moon Dangle Earrings

Wayan Karang

(9)

$35.91CAD Wholesale

$35.91CAD

Rustic Love in Pink, Hand Crafted Upcycled Plastic Dangle Earrings in Pink

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

$41.37CAD Wholesale

$41.37CAD

Sterling silver plated and brass dangle earrings, 'Gold and Silver Coin' - Handmade Sterling Silver Plated and Brass Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Gold and Silver Coin, Handmade Sterling Silver Plated and Brass Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

$40.77CAD Wholesale

$40.77CAD

Alam Happiness, Round Gold Plated Brass Drop Earrings from Bali

Komang Budiarta

(22)

$51.45CAD Wholesale

$51.45CAD

Odopa in Plum, Hand Made Purple and Maroon Plastic Dangle Earrings

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

$41.37CAD Wholesale

$41.37CAD

Alam Bali, Openwork Silver Plated Drop Earrings from Bali

Komang Budiarta

(22)

$67.95CAD Wholesale

$67.95CAD

Garnet and gold-accented natural rose petal dangle earrings, 'Red Rose of Autumn' - Garnet and Gold Plated Natural Rose Petal Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Red Rose of Autumn, Garnet and Gold Plated Natural Rose Petal Dangle Earrings

Danai

(358)

$67.95CAD Wholesale

$67.95CAD

Ocean Sunset, Handmade Silver Accent Brass Dangle Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$69.89CAD Wholesale

$69.89CAD

Silver plated hoop earrings, 'Resourceful' - Modern Flat Sterling Silver Plated Brass Hoop Earrings

Bestseller

Resourceful, Modern Flat Sterling Silver Plated Brass Hoop Earrings

Hariyono

(59)

$101.93CAD Wholesale

$101.93CAD

Confidant, Cat's Eye and Tiger's Eye Beaded Dangle Earrings

Justina Botwey

(16)

$27.58CAD Wholesale

$27.58CAD

Ayeyi Nka Boafo, Artisan Crafted Soapstone and Cat's Eye Beaded Earrings

Rachel Armah

(45)

$54.18CAD Wholesale

$54.18CAD

The Pink Tiara, Brass and Pink Magnesite Beaded Dangle Earrings

Tiraphan Hasub

(931)

$35.91CAD Wholesale

$35.91CAD

Golden Tiger, Gold-Accented Tiger's Eye Dangle Earrings

Ayu Widiani

(15)

$45.92CAD Wholesale

~~$54.36CAD~~ $45.92CAD

Good Thing, Green Animal Print Bead Earrings Hand Made in Ghana

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

$48.27CAD Wholesale

$48.27CAD

Brass hoop earrings, 'Tribal Points' - Brass and Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings from Bali

Bestseller

Tribal Points, Brass and Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$81.54CAD Wholesale

$81.54CAD

Divine Bud, Polished Brass Drop Earrings Handcrafted in Bali

Agus Suryanto

(25)

$88.34CAD Wholesale

$88.34CAD

Gold-plated half-hoop earrings, 'Through the Hoop' - Gold-Plated Half-Hoop Earrings from Bali

Bestseller

Through the Hoop, Gold-Plated Half-Hoop Earrings from Bali

Wayan Karang

(9)

$35.91CAD Wholesale

$35.91CAD

Deity Mask, Traditional Balinese Mask-Shaped Brass Dangle Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$92.22CAD Wholesale

$92.22CAD

Heavenly Gift, Handmade Gemstone Cluster Earrings

Sasina

(409)

$38.83CAD Wholesale

$38.83CAD

Lightning, Modern Handcrafted Garnet Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

$31.60CAD Wholesale

~~$35.91CAD~~ $31.60CAD

Berries, African Recycled Paper Dangle Earrings

Akwele Suma

(22)

$48.27CAD Wholesale

$48.27CAD

Cactus Party, Gold-Plated Cactus Drop Earrings from Bali

Wayan Karang

(9)

$35.91CAD Wholesale

$35.91CAD

Alam Kintamani, Curved 18k Gold Plated Drop Earrings from Bali

Komang Budiarta

(22)

$65.04CAD Wholesale

$65.04CAD

Soul Sister, Balinese Brass Dangle Earrings with Leaf Motif

Agus Suryanto

(25)

$95.14CAD Wholesale

$95.14CAD

Citrine dangle earrings, 'Golden Coin in Yellow' - Citrine and Brass Coin Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Golden Coin in Yellow, Citrine and Brass Coin Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

$54.36CAD Wholesale

$54.36CAD

Passionate Swirls, Polished Brass Dangle Earrings with Red Magnesite Jewels

Tiraphan Hasub

(931)

$37.85CAD Wholesale

$37.85CAD

Intuitive Swirls, Polished Brass Dangle Earrings with Blue Magnesite Jewels

Tiraphan Hasub

(931)

$37.85CAD Wholesale

$37.85CAD

Modern Fall, 22k Gold Plated Dangle Earrings from Bali

Nyoman Nartawan

(52)

$74.75CAD Wholesale

$74.75CAD

Gold-plated dangle earrings, 'Life Path' - Handmade Gold-Plated Brass Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Life Path, Handmade Gold-Plated Brass Dangle Earrings

Suana Yasa

(16)

$40.77CAD Wholesale

$40.77CAD

African Aesthetic, Terracotta and Soapstone Dangle Earrings

Nonyem Abena Ibeneme

(13)

$48.27CAD Wholesale

$48.27CAD

Solar Intellect, Sun-Themed Polished Brass and Lapis Lazuli Dangle Earrings

Ritu Malpani

(2)

$67.95CAD Wholesale

$67.95CAD

Dzidzor Dream, Black and White Recycled Glass Bead Dangle Earrings

Harriet Faako Adjei

(4)

$27.58CAD Wholesale

$27.58CAD

Orange Flight, Handcrafted Jasper Macrame Dangle Earrings with Brass Beads

Kanjana

(42)

$37.85CAD Wholesale

$37.85CAD

Midday Break, Sterling Silver and Brass Half-Hoop Earrings

Shivani Choudhary

(232)

$81.54CAD Wholesale

$81.54CAD

Sea Gold, Brass and Reconstituted Turquoise Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

$67.95CAD Wholesale

$67.95CAD

Timeless Pink, Natural Flower Dangle Earrings

Danai

(358)

$67.95CAD Wholesale

$67.95CAD

Unforgettable Love, Recycled Glass Bead Dangle Earrings by Ghanaian Artisans

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

$27.58CAD Wholesale

$27.58CAD

Hot Pink Bloom, Pink Magnesite Floral Dangle Earrings with Brass Spirals

Tiraphan Hasub

(931)

$37.85CAD Wholesale

$37.85CAD

Violet Bloom, Purple Magnesite Floral Dangle Earrings with Brass Spirals

Tiraphan Hasub

(931)

$37.85CAD Wholesale

$37.85CAD

Gleaming Globes, Onyx and Moonstone Beaded Dangle Earrings from India

Sabir

(99)

$20.38CAD Wholesale

$20.38CAD

Beyond Fear, Handmade Gold-Plated Hoop Earrings from Bali

Dewa Nyoman Oka

(16)

$67.95CAD Wholesale

$67.95CAD

Margarana Monument, Brass and Sterling Silver Triangular Dangle Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$81.54CAD Wholesale

$81.54CAD

Bali Crescents, Round Abstract Motif Brass Dangle Earrings from Bali

Rai Suwastika

$67.95CAD Wholesale

$67.95CAD

Cascade of Leaves, High-Polished Leafy Embossed Brass Drop Earrings

Ritu Malpani

(2)

$78.63CAD Wholesale

$78.63CAD

Being African, Ebony Wood Africa-Shaped Dangle Earrings from Ghana

Robert Lanyo

(42)

$41.37CAD Wholesale

$41.37CAD

Shining Moon in Pink, Hand Crafted Rose Quartz and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

$42.54CAD Wholesale

~~$47.56CAD~~ $42.54CAD

Make My Day, Hand Made Gold-Plated Floral Earrings

Wayan Karang

(9)

$29.84CAD Wholesale

~~$35.91CAD~~ $29.84CAD

Peaceful Swirls, Polished Brass Dangle Earrings with Light Blue Magnesite

Tiraphan Hasub

(931)

$37.85CAD Wholesale

$37.85CAD

Winding Route, Hand Made Brass-Plated Dangle Earrings

Agus Suryanto

(25)

$81.54CAD Wholesale

$81.54CAD

Floral Incantation, Flower and Heart-Themed Polished Brass Dangle Earrings

Ritu Malpani

(2)

$35.91CAD Wholesale

$35.91CAD

Diamond Routes, Diamond-Shaped Polished Brass Dangle Earrings from India

Ritu Malpani

(2)

$67.95CAD Wholesale

$67.95CAD

Shining Moon in Green, Hand Made Jade and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

$47.56CAD Wholesale

$47.56CAD

Alluring Nimbus, Brown Macrame Dangle Earrings with Red Magnesite Beads

Tiraphan Hasub

(931)

$37.85CAD Wholesale

$37.85CAD

Blue Spiral, Unique Gold Plated Brass and Calcite Dangle Earrings

Chuleekorn

(192)

$41.74CAD Wholesale

$41.74CAD

Natural zinnia button earrings, 'Red Summertime Zinnia' - Resin Coated Natural Zinnia Button Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Red Summertime Zinnia, Resin Coated Natural Zinnia Button Earrings from Thailand

Danai

(358)

$54.36CAD Wholesale

$54.36CAD

Ellipse Beauty, High-Polished Ellipse-Shaped Brass Drop Earrings

Ritu Malpani

(2)

$51.45CAD Wholesale

$51.45CAD

Harbor Night, Horn half hoop earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$74.75CAD Wholesale

$74.75CAD

Queen Bee, Handmade Queen Bee Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

$33.97CAD Wholesale

$33.97CAD

Loose Leaves, Brass-Plated Drop Earrings with Leaf Motif

Agus Suryanto

(25)

$74.62CAD Wholesale

~~$88.34CAD~~ $74.62CAD

My Romantic Aura, Polished Brass Beaded Dangle Earrings in Red

Tiraphan Hasub

(931)

$35.91CAD Wholesale

$35.91CAD

Abstract Suns, Circular Abstract Brass Dangle Earrings from Bali

Rai Suwastika

$67.95CAD Wholesale

$67.95CAD

Abstract Peaks, Abstract Brass Drop Earrings with Stainless Steel Posts

Agus Suryanto

(25)

$101.93CAD Wholesale

$101.93CAD

Sunrise in the Dark, Handcrafted Brass-Plated Dangle Earrings

Agus Suryanto

(25)

$80.37CAD Wholesale

~~$95.14CAD~~ $80.37CAD

Yellow Summertime Zinnia, Resin Coated Natural Zinnia Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Danai

(358)

$40.77CAD Wholesale

$40.77CAD

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