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 Horn at NOVICA Canada

Garnet and buffalo horn dangle earrings, 'Dark Crescent Moon' - Silver and Garnet Moon Earrings with Water Buffalo Horn

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Dark Crescent Moon, Silver and Garnet Moon Earrings with Water Buffalo Horn

Made Wardika

(1081)

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Sterling silver hoop earrings, 'Chic Girl' - Polished Handbag-Shaped Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings

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Chic Girl, Polished Handbag-Shaped Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings

Ayu Ary

(249)

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Black Dawn, Handcrafted Sterling Silver and Black Horn Earrings

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(112)

$106CAD Wholesale

$106CAD

Horn and garnet dangle earrings, 'Midnight Bat' - Horn Garnet & Sterling Silver Bat Dangle Earrings from Bali

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Midnight Bat, Horn Garnet & Sterling Silver Bat Dangle Earrings from Bali

Ayu Ary

(249)

$68.07CAD Wholesale

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Horn dangle earrings, 'Night Owls' - Dark Horn Owl-Shaped Dangle Earrings Hand-Carved in Bali

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Night Owls, Dark Horn Owl-Shaped Dangle Earrings Hand-Carved in Bali

Made Wardika

(1081)

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Garnet dangle earrings, 'Black Crescent Moon' - Bat & Moon Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Garnet Stone

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Black Crescent Moon, Bat & Moon Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Garnet Stone

Ayu Ary

(249)

$68.07CAD Wholesale

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Black Soul, Balinese Horn Garnet and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

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(249)

$68.07CAD Wholesale

$68.07CAD

Charming Appeal, Balinese Horn Garnet and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

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(249)

$68.07CAD Wholesale

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Amethyst dangle earrings, 'Love Like Midnight' - Amethyst and Cultured Pearl Heart Dangle Earrings from Bali

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Love Like Midnight, Amethyst and Cultured Pearl Heart Dangle Earrings from Bali

Made Wardika

(1081)

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Sea Melody, Horn drop earrings

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(112)

$76.83CAD Wholesale

$76.83CAD

Garnet and horn dangle earrings, 'Face of Midnight' - Garnet and Black Horn Crescent Moon Dangle Earrings

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Face of Midnight, Garnet and Black Horn Crescent Moon Dangle Earrings

Made Wardika

(1081)

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Garnet dangle earrings, 'Jungle Love' - Nature-Themed Heart-Shaped Dangle Earrings with Garnet Gems

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Jungle Love, Nature-Themed Heart-Shaped Dangle Earrings with Garnet Gems

Ayu Ary

(249)

$81.69CAD Wholesale

$81.69CAD

Garnet and horn dangle earrings, 'Shadow Swirls' - Swirl-Shaped Garnet and Dark Horn Dangle Earrings from Bali

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Shadow Swirls, Swirl-Shaped Garnet and Dark Horn Dangle Earrings from Bali

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(1081)

$51.54CAD Wholesale

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Garnet dangle earrings, 'Cupid's Arrow' - Garnet and Sterling Silver Crescent Dangle Earrings

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Cupid's Arrow, Garnet and Sterling Silver Crescent Dangle Earrings

Ayu Ary

(249)

$74.88CAD Wholesale

$74.88CAD

Toraja Tux, Silver Accent Bone Earrings with Water Buffalo Horn

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$81.69CAD Wholesale

$81.69CAD

Owl, Handcrafted Bone Earrings with Water Buffalo Horn

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(112)

$81.69CAD Wholesale

$81.69CAD

Dark Passion, Heart-Shaped Garnet and Horn Dangle Earrings from Bali

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$74.88CAD Wholesale

$74.88CAD

Mysterious Crescent, Hand Made Garnet and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Made Wardika

(1081)

$61.26CAD Wholesale

$61.26CAD

Garnet dangle earrings, 'Winged Appeal' - Bat-Themed Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Garnet Stone

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Winged Appeal, Bat-Themed Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Garnet Stone

Ayu Ary

(249)

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Garnet dangle earrings, 'Flight at Night' - Wing-Shaped Natural Garnet Silver Carved Dangle Earrings

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Flight at Night, Wing-Shaped Natural Garnet Silver Carved Dangle Earrings

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(249)

$68.07CAD Wholesale

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True Confidence, Hand Made Garnet Dangle Earrings

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(249)

$51.54CAD Wholesale

$51.54CAD

Garnet dangle earrings, 'Light's Edge' - Modern Garnet Dangle Earrings from Thailand

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Light's Edge, Modern Garnet Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Ayu Ary

(249)

$54.46CAD Wholesale

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Harbor Night, Horn half hoop earrings

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(112)

$74.88CAD Wholesale

$74.88CAD

Nocturnal Shapes, Horn Garnet and Sterling Silver Triangle Dangle Earrings

Ayu Ary

(249)

$68.07CAD Wholesale

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Sterling silver half-hoop earrings, 'Dark Queen' - Minimalist High-Polished Sterling Silver Half-Hoop Earrings

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Dark Queen, Minimalist High-Polished Sterling Silver Half-Hoop Earrings

Ayu Ary

(249)

$40.84CAD Wholesale

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Garnet dangle earrings, 'Nocturnal Passion' - Black Garnet and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Bats

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Nocturnal Passion, Black Garnet and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Bats

Ayu Ary

(249)

$54.46CAD Wholesale

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White Dawn, Sterling Silver and Black White Handcrafted Earrings

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(112)

$106CAD Wholesale

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Gianyar Crescents, Artisan Crafted Horn Earrings with Garnets

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$74.88CAD

Mystery Petals, Polished Petal-Shaped Sterling Silver Drop Earrings

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True Courage, Hand Crafted Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings

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(249)

$65.16CAD Wholesale

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Mystery Nimbus, Polished Round Sterling Silver Drop Earrings from Bali

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(249)

$35.98CAD Wholesale

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Moonlight Bliss, Handmade Horn and Bone Dangle Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$74.88CAD Wholesale

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Benoa Sunlight, Hand Crafted Brass Accent Earrings with Water Buffalo Horn

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(112)

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Nina, Handmade Natural Horn Earrings

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~~$40.84CAD~~ $28.42CAD

Classic Comb, Carved Bone and Horn Dangle Style Earrings from Bali

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(112)

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Kindness is King, Handmade Sterling Silver and Garnet Dangle Earrings

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(249)

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Nocturnal Treasure, Bat-Themed Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Bali

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(249)

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Benoa Moonlight, Hand Crafted Silver Accent Earrings with Water Buffalo Horn

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(112)

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Freedom and Faith, Sterling Silver and Garnet Horn Dangle Earrings from Bali

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(249)

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Dark Princess, Minimalist High-Polished Sterling Silver Drop Earrings

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(249)

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Pedestal of Passion, Natural Garnet and Sterling Silver Pillar Dangle Earrings

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Rustic Fusion, Horn and Bone Beaded Dangle Earrings from India

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$27.22CAD

Ice Storm, Handmade Blue Topaz Buffalo Horn Silver Dangle Earrings

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$65.16CAD Wholesale

$65.16CAD

Bianka, Natural Horn Drop Earrings

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$28.42CAD Wholesale

~~$40.84CAD~~ $28.42CAD

Wings of Devil, Horn Garnet & Sterling Silver Wing Dangle Earrings from Bali

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(249)

$81.69CAD Wholesale

$81.69CAD

Night Ant, Polished Ant-Shaped Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

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$54.46CAD

Titi Akofena, Handcrafted Traditional Ivory and Black Dangle Earrings

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Dawn to Dusk, Handcrafted Horn Dangle Earrings

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$67.10CAD Wholesale

$67.10CAD

Great White, Sterling Silver Bone and Horn Dangle Earrings

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(112)

$81.69CAD Wholesale

$81.69CAD

Seagull, Sterling silver and cow horn dangle earrings

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(112)

$86.31CAD Wholesale

~~$102.11CAD~~ $86.31CAD

Black Enyefewu, African Horn Dangle Earrings

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(41)

$41.37CAD Wholesale

$41.37CAD

Bold Path, Hand Crafted Horn Dangle Earrings from West Africa

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$41.37CAD Wholesale

$41.37CAD

Sweet Donuts, Balinese Horn Garnet & Sterling Silver Round Dangle Earrings

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$68.07CAD Wholesale

$68.07CAD

To Feel Your Love, Sterling Silver and Buffalo Horn Heart-Motif Drop Earrings

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(249)

$51.54CAD Wholesale

$51.54CAD

Loyal Crescent, Moon-Shaped Two-Carat Faceted Blue Topaz Dangle Earrings

Ayu Ary

(249)

$61.26CAD Wholesale

$61.26CAD

Midnight Drizzle, Sterling Silver and Buffalo Horn Teardrop Dangle Earrings

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(249)

$68.07CAD Wholesale

$68.07CAD

Brown Enyefewu, Modern Horn Dangle Earrings

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$27.58CAD Wholesale

$27.58CAD

Feather Spiral, Silver Hook Water Buffalo Horn Earrings with Feather Theme

Andi Rachmansyah

(90)

$68.07CAD Wholesale

$68.07CAD

Horn and garnet dangle earrings, 'Abstract Cats' - Horn Garnet & Sterling Silver Cat Dangle Earrings from Bali

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Abstract Cats, Horn Garnet & Sterling Silver Cat Dangle Earrings from Bali

Ayu Ary

(249)

$68.07CAD Wholesale

$68.07CAD

Graceful Fanfare, Hand Carved Water Buffalo Horn Shell Motif Hoop Earrings

Sukarda

(21)

$37.92CAD Wholesale

$37.92CAD

Peridot dangle earrings, 'Fortune Feathers at Night' - Black Wing-Shaped Natural Oval Peridot Dangle Earrings

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Fortune Feathers at Night, Black Wing-Shaped Natural Oval Peridot Dangle Earrings

Ayu Ary

(249)

$68.07CAD Wholesale

$68.07CAD

Borneo Mysteries, Modern Horn Hoop Earrings

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(112)

$68.07CAD Wholesale

$68.07CAD

Garnet drop earrings, 'Sleek Black Curves' - Balinese Garnet and Black Horn Sterling Silver Drop Earrings

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Sleek Black Curves, Balinese Garnet and Black Horn Sterling Silver Drop Earrings

Ayu Ary

(249)

$68.07CAD Wholesale

$68.07CAD

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