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 at NOVICA Canada

Black Dawn, Handcrafted Sterling Silver and Black Horn Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$89.74CAD Wholesale

~~$105.73CAD~~ $89.74CAD
Sea Melody, Horn drop earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$65.12CAD Wholesale

~~$76.35CAD~~ $65.12CAD
Ocean Sunset, Handmade Silver Accent Brass Dangle Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$59.25CAD Wholesale

~~$69.50CAD~~ $59.25CAD
Bone Fish Bone, Hand Hammered Sterling Silver Fish Bone Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$72.24CAD Wholesale

~~$85.17CAD~~ $72.24CAD
Owl, Handcrafted Bone Earrings with Water Buffalo Horn

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$69.02CAD Wholesale

~~$81.25CAD~~ $69.02CAD
Toraja Tux, Silver Accent Bone Earrings with Water Buffalo Horn

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$69.02CAD Wholesale

~~$81.25CAD~~ $69.02CAD
Bestseller

You, Ebony drop earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$74.57CAD Wholesale

~~$79.29CAD~~ $74.57CAD
Bestseller

Spiral Tails, Simple Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$100.29CAD Wholesale

~~$105.73CAD~~ $100.29CAD
Beautiful Textures, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Gold Mica Accent

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$69.02CAD Wholesale

~~$81.25CAD~~ $69.02CAD
Harbor Night, Horn half hoop earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$63.27CAD Wholesale

~~$75.38CAD~~ $63.27CAD
Tribal Points, Brass and Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$69.02CAD Wholesale

~~$81.25CAD~~ $69.02CAD
White Dawn, Sterling Silver and Black White Handcrafted Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$89.74CAD Wholesale

~~$105.73CAD~~ $89.74CAD
Benoa Sunlight, Hand Crafted Brass Accent Earrings with Water Buffalo Horn

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$63.27CAD Wholesale

~~$75.38CAD~~ $63.27CAD
Ubud Rainbow, Modern Sterling Silver and Brass Hoop Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$89.74CAD Wholesale

~~$105.73CAD~~ $89.74CAD
Moonlight Bliss, Handmade Horn and Bone Dangle Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$63.27CAD Wholesale

~~$75.38CAD~~ $63.27CAD
Classic Comb, Carved Bone and Horn Dangle Style Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$74.78CAD Wholesale

~~$88.10CAD~~ $74.78CAD
Modern Rays, Line Pattern Modern Brass Hoop Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$57.52CAD Wholesale

~~$68.52CAD~~ $57.52CAD
Dangling Lombok, Handmade Balinese Cow Bone Silver Dangle Earrings for Women

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$80.53CAD Wholesale

~~$94.96CAD~~ $80.53CAD
Benoa Moonlight, Hand Crafted Silver Accent Earrings with Water Buffalo Horn

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$69.02CAD Wholesale

~~$81.25CAD~~ $69.02CAD
Modern Bali, Modern Brass Hoop Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$57.52CAD Wholesale

~~$68.52CAD~~ $57.52CAD
Brass Ring, Sterling Silver Half Hoop Earrings with Brass Ring Detail

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$138.06CAD Wholesale

~~$162.51CAD~~ $138.06CAD
Modern Bali, Modern Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$69.02CAD Wholesale

~~$81.25CAD~~ $69.02CAD
Bestseller

Crescent Soul, Modern Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$109.30CAD Wholesale

~~$115.52CAD~~ $109.30CAD
Nine Rings, Modern Sterling Silver and Brass Dangle Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$86.28CAD Wholesale

~~$101.81CAD~~ $86.28CAD
Infinite Loop, Sterling Silver Textured Hoop Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$80.53CAD Wholesale

~~$94.96CAD~~ $80.53CAD
Seagull, Sterling silver and cow horn dangle earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$86.28CAD Wholesale

~~$101.81CAD~~ $86.28CAD
Kuta Glimmer, Modern Sterling Silver and Brass Dangle Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$57.52CAD Wholesale

~~$68.52CAD~~ $57.52CAD
Golden Oval, Brass Oval Drop Earrings with Sterling Silver Hooks

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$101.24CAD Wholesale

~~$119.43CAD~~ $101.24CAD
Dawn to Dusk, Handcrafted Horn Dangle Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$56.60CAD Wholesale

~~$66.56CAD~~ $56.60CAD
Great White, Sterling Silver Bone and Horn Dangle Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$69.02CAD Wholesale

~~$81.25CAD~~ $69.02CAD
Sumatra Glyph, Contemporary Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$74.78CAD Wholesale

~~$88.10CAD~~ $74.78CAD
Gleaming Boomerangs, Sterling Silver Geometric Hoop Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$74.78CAD Wholesale

~~$88.10CAD~~ $74.78CAD
Balinese Classic, Modern Brass Hoop Earrings Crafted in Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$57.52CAD Wholesale

~~$68.52CAD~~ $57.52CAD
Tribute, Coconut Shell Dangle Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$69.02CAD Wholesale

~~$81.25CAD~~ $69.02CAD
Antique Gateways, Modern Antiqued Brass Dangle Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$46.01CAD Wholesale

~~$54.82CAD~~ $46.01CAD
Coming back

White Nights, Artisan Crafted Bone and Sterling Silver Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$80.53CAD Wholesale

~~$94.96CAD~~ $80.53CAD
Borneo Mysteries, Modern Horn Hoop Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$57.52CAD Wholesale

~~$68.52CAD~~ $57.52CAD
Coming back

Island Journey, 925 Sterling Silver Accent Brass Dangle Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$59.25CAD Wholesale

~~$69.50CAD~~ $59.25CAD
Coming back

Bamboo Island, Drop Earrings Crafted from Silver Turquoise and Bamboo

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$80.53CAD Wholesale

~~$94.96CAD~~ $80.53CAD
Coming back

Ancient Coin, 925 Sterling Silver Womens Dangle Coin Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$96.43CAD Wholesale

~~$101.81CAD~~ $96.43CAD
Ethnic Sunrise, Brass Sunrise Hoop Earrings with Sterling Silver Ear Hooks

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$74.78CAD Wholesale

~~$88.10CAD~~ $74.78CAD
Coming back

Aksara Coins, Brass and Sterling Silver Old World Aksara Coins Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$57.52CAD Wholesale

~~$68.52CAD~~ $57.52CAD

Featured Reviews

Sterling silver accent brass dangle earrings, 'Island Journey'

Joyce

Apr 16, 2021

Quiet, Natural Beauty

'Island Journey', sterling silver accent brass dangle earrings are as pictured. Looks terrific and enhances the appearance of the wear even though has a simple design and does not have an extra-high shine. Does reflect light. I bought the matching bracelet and ring years ago. All 3 items make an excellent set. Happy with purchase.

Mixed Metal Jewelry

Dangle Jewellery

Brass Jewellery

Sterling Silver Jewellery

Silver Jewellery

No Stone Jewellery

Jewellery

Brass hoop earrings, 'Balinese Classic'

Paula

Jan 30, 2025

These are large

The earrings themselves are beautiful. They are well crafted and rustic. My problem is not with the quality of the item but with novicas website. I know that measurements are provided but these earrings are HUGE. If I rotate my head fast enough, Id take off like a helicopter. The 2 dimensional measurements provided were not enough. NOVICA really should provide a pic of someone actually wearing the jewelry. 2nd time this has happened to me.

Cow bone drop earrings, 'Dangling Lombok'

Karen

Apr 25, 2020

Unique earrings

These always catch someone's eye & they ask. I collect masks so I had to have them! Very detailed and the perfect weight for the earlobe! Got the necklace to go with them. Super pleased & very cute!

Bohochic Dangle Earrings

Contemporary Dangle Earrings

Cute

Detalied Design

Exquisite Dangle Earrings

Gorgeous Dangle Earrings

Mom Dangle Earring

Navy

Playful Dangle Earrings

Simplicity