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 Opal at NOVICA Canada

Bestseller

Crescent Eyes, Pink Opal and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Peru

Tiberio Gonzales

(190)

$134.99CAD Wholesale

$134.99CAD
Bestseller

Caress of an Angel, Pink Opal and Sterling Silver Drop Earrings from Peru

Tiberio Gonzales

(190)

$150.99CAD Wholesale

$150.99CAD
Bestseller

Window, Sterling Silver Andean Dangle Earrings with Opal

Patricia Jara

(124)

$119.99CAD Wholesale

$119.99CAD
Bestseller

Moonlit Blush, Cultured Freshwater Pearl and Pink Opal Drop Earrings

Shanker

(1425)

$93.99CAD Wholesale

$93.99CAD
Bestseller

Sweet Perfection, Pearl and pink opal dangle earrings

Tiberio Gonzales

(190)

$178.99CAD Wholesale

$178.99CAD
Bestseller

Embellished Moon, Opal and Sterling Silver Crescent Moon Button Earrings

Ari Gunawan

(246)

$93.99CAD Wholesale

$93.99CAD
Capture Nature, Opal and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Patricia Jara

(124)

$123.99CAD Wholesale

$123.99CAD
Pink Renewal, Handcrafted Sterling Silver Pink Opal Round Dangle Earrings

Neeru Goel

(2379)

$96.99CAD Wholesale

$96.99CAD
Bestseller

Starry-Eyed, Star Shaped Pink Opal and Sterling Silver Button Earrings

Neeru Goel

(2379)

$82.99CAD Wholesale

$82.99CAD
Llama Light, Artisan Opal and Sterling Silver Dangle Llama Earrings

Patricia Jara

(124)

$96.99CAD Wholesale

$96.99CAD
Pyramids of Truth, Sterling Silver and Natural Opal Dangle Earrings

Teodoro Melendez and Family

(135)

$52.99CAD Wholesale

$52.99CAD
Blissful and Bright, Pink Opal and Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings from India

Neeru Goel

(2379)

$82.99CAD Wholesale

$82.99CAD
Bestseller

Bright Ovals, Oval Opal Stud Earrings from Thailand

Narinee

(637)

$68.99CAD Wholesale

$68.99CAD
Two Teardrops, Garnet and Opal Teardrop Dangle Earrings from India

Shanker

(1425)

$93.99CAD Wholesale

$93.99CAD
Resplendent Fire, Silver Button Earrings with Opal and Cubic Zirconia Stones

Kriti Seth

$151.99CAD Wholesale

$151.99CAD
Bauble Delight, Round Opal Dangle Earrings Crafted in Peru

Patricia Jara

(124)

$75.99CAD Wholesale

$75.99CAD
Qayacpuma Signs, Cultural Sterling Silver and Opal Chandelier Earrings

Carolina and Jorge

(13)

$79.99CAD Wholesale

$79.99CAD
Crowned Crescent, Handmade Pink Opal Earrings from Peru

Tiberio Gonzales

(190)

$120.99CAD Wholesale

$120.99CAD
Bestseller

Precious Swords, Andean Opal and Silver Drop Earrings

Susana Grau

(3)

$148.99CAD Wholesale

$148.99CAD
Pink Succulence, Pink Opal and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Peru

Tiberio Gonzales

(190)

$165.99CAD Wholesale

$165.99CAD
Green Vibrations, Handcrafted Sterling Silver and Green Opal Button Earrings

Patricia Jara

(124)

$89.99CAD Wholesale

$89.99CAD
Ancestral Andean Radiance, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Opal Stones from Peru

Sandra and Lily

(104)

$85.40CAD Wholesale

~~$94.99CAD~~ $85.40CAD
Glory in Pink, Opal and Garnet Dangle Earrings from India

Neeru Goel

(2379)

$82.99CAD Wholesale

$82.99CAD
Swaying Leaf, Handmade Sterling Earrings with Pink Opal

Bertha Vera

(30)

$123.99CAD Wholesale

$123.99CAD
Pink Champagne, Multi-Gemstone Cluster Dangle Earrings in Pink and Golden

Nareerat

(1853)

$38.99CAD Wholesale

$38.99CAD
Secrets, Opal dangle earrings

Tiberio Gonzales

(190)

$206.99CAD Wholesale

$206.99CAD
Frosted, Unique Sterling Silver Dangle Opal Earrings

Tiberio Gonzales

(190)

$116.99CAD Wholesale

$116.99CAD
Orbiting Romance, Polished Round Garnet and Opal Dangle Earrings from India

Neeru Goel

(2379)

$107.99CAD Wholesale

$107.99CAD
Full Moons, Opal and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Nicaragua

Manuel Fredebrecht

(12)

$123.99CAD Wholesale

$123.99CAD
Inca Tumi, Artisan Crafted Sterling Silver and Opal Hook Earrings

Patricia Jara

(124)

$123.99CAD Wholesale

$123.99CAD
Sparkling River, Natural Andean Opal Earrings

Estephani Caillaux

(4)

$96.99CAD Wholesale

$96.99CAD
Peace, Pink opal flower earrings

Aparna

(594)

$93.99CAD Wholesale

$93.99CAD
Coming back

Beacons of Light, Andean Silver Handcrafted Earrings with Natural Pink Opal

Tiberio Gonzales

(190)

$199.99CAD Wholesale

$199.99CAD
Coming back

Andean Waterfall, Handcrafted Andean Opal Drop Earrings

Estephani Caillaux

(4)

$82.99CAD Wholesale

$82.99CAD

Featured Reviews

Opal dangle earrings, 'Pyramids of Truth'

Laurie

Jul 10, 2023

beautiful!

These earrings are absolutely beautiful. The opal is such a beautiful color. The earrings are very light, which I love, and the length is perfect. I have ordered a number of times from Teodoro Melendez and Family and have always been very impressed by the great workmanship. Thank you!

Artisan Crafted Jewelry

Artisan Jewelry

Earrings For Dresses

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Earrings For Short Hair

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Jewelry Artisan

Jewelry Natural Stones

Cultured pearl and opal drop earrings, 'Moonlit Blush'

VIRGINIA

Mar 26, 2019

Delicate and beautiful

I looked at these for some time and finally bought them for myself. They are beautiful as pictured. wonderful workmanship. I get compliments all the time on these. I will be wearing these to my son's beach moonlit wedding so I was thrilled to see the earrings are named moonlit blush.

Dressy Earrings

Feminine Jewelry

October Opal Birthstone

October Pearl And Opal Birthstone Jewelry

Romantic October Jewelry

Drop Jewellery

Sterling Silver Jewellery

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PEARL Cultured Jewellery

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Earrings

Opal button earrings, 'Starry-Eyed'

Dianna

Aug 30, 2019

Star Shaped Pink Opal & Sterling Button Earrings

These earrings look exactly as pictured. The earrings look beautiful on my earlobes. I am very pleased with my purchase. I am sure to enjoy wearing these earrings often.