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

Bestseller

You, Ebony drop earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$76.17CAD Wholesale

~~$80.99CAD~~ $76.17CAD
Great White, Sterling Silver Bone and Horn Dangle Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$70.50CAD Wholesale

~~$82.99CAD~~ $70.50CAD
Harbor Night, Horn half hoop earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$64.63CAD Wholesale

~~$76.99CAD~~ $64.63CAD
Golden Oval, Brass Oval Drop Earrings with Sterling Silver Hooks

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$103.41CAD Wholesale

~~$121.99CAD~~ $103.41CAD
Brass Ring, Sterling Silver Half Hoop Earrings with Brass Ring Detail

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$141.02CAD Wholesale

~~$165.99CAD~~ $141.02CAD
Seagull, Sterling silver and cow horn dangle earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$88.13CAD Wholesale

~~$103.99CAD~~ $88.13CAD
Sea Melody, Horn drop earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$66.51CAD Wholesale

~~$77.99CAD~~ $66.51CAD
Borneo Mysteries, Modern Horn Hoop Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$58.75CAD Wholesale

~~$69.99CAD~~ $58.75CAD
Bone Fish Bone, Hand Hammered Sterling Silver Fish Bone Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$73.79CAD Wholesale

~~$86.99CAD~~ $73.79CAD
Coming back

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

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$82.25CAD Wholesale

~~$96.99CAD~~ $82.25CAD
Antique Gateways, Modern Antiqued Brass Dangle Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$47CAD Wholesale

~~$55.99CAD~~ $47CAD
Benoa Moonlight, Hand Crafted Silver Accent Earrings with Water Buffalo Horn

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$70.50CAD Wholesale

~~$82.99CAD~~ $70.50CAD
Tribute, Coconut Shell Dangle Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$70.50CAD Wholesale

~~$82.99CAD~~ $70.50CAD
Ocean Sunset, Handmade Silver Accent Brass Dangle Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$60.52CAD Wholesale

~~$70.99CAD~~ $60.52CAD
Owl, Handcrafted Bone Earrings with Water Buffalo Horn

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$70.50CAD Wholesale

~~$82.99CAD~~ $70.50CAD
Benoa Sunlight, Hand Crafted Brass Accent Earrings with Water Buffalo Horn

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$64.63CAD Wholesale

~~$76.99CAD~~ $64.63CAD
Classic Comb, Carved Bone and Horn Dangle Style Earrings from Bali

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(112)

$76.38CAD Wholesale

~~$89.99CAD~~ $76.38CAD
Dawn to Dusk, Handcrafted Horn Dangle Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$57.81CAD Wholesale

~~$67.99CAD~~ $57.81CAD
Sumatra Glyph, Contemporary Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$76.38CAD Wholesale

~~$89.99CAD~~ $76.38CAD
Coming back

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

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$58.75CAD Wholesale

~~$69.99CAD~~ $58.75CAD
Coming back

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

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$60.52CAD Wholesale

~~$70.99CAD~~ $60.52CAD
Infinite Loop, Sterling Silver Textured Hoop Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$82.25CAD Wholesale

~~$96.99CAD~~ $82.25CAD
Ubud Rainbow, Modern Sterling Silver and Brass Hoop Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$91.66CAD Wholesale

~~$107.99CAD~~ $91.66CAD
Bestseller

Spiral Tails, Simple Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$102.44CAD Wholesale

~~$107.99CAD~~ $102.44CAD
Moonlight Bliss, Handmade Horn and Bone Dangle Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$64.63CAD Wholesale

~~$76.99CAD~~ $64.63CAD
Modern Rays, Line Pattern Modern Brass Hoop Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$58.75CAD Wholesale

~~$69.99CAD~~ $58.75CAD
Bestseller

Crescent Soul, Modern Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$111.64CAD Wholesale

~~$117.99CAD~~ $111.64CAD
Beautiful Textures, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Gold Mica Accent

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$70.50CAD Wholesale

~~$82.99CAD~~ $70.50CAD
Balinese Classic, Modern Brass Hoop Earrings Crafted in Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$58.75CAD Wholesale

~~$69.99CAD~~ $58.75CAD
Modern Bali, Modern Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$70.50CAD Wholesale

~~$82.99CAD~~ $70.50CAD
Modern Bali, Modern Brass Hoop Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$58.75CAD Wholesale

~~$69.99CAD~~ $58.75CAD
Nine Rings, Modern Sterling Silver and Brass Dangle Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$88.13CAD Wholesale

~~$103.99CAD~~ $88.13CAD
Kuta Glimmer, Modern Sterling Silver and Brass Dangle Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$58.75CAD Wholesale

~~$69.99CAD~~ $58.75CAD
Ethnic Sunrise, Brass Sunrise Hoop Earrings with Sterling Silver Ear Hooks

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$76.38CAD Wholesale

~~$89.99CAD~~ $76.38CAD
Gleaming Boomerangs, Sterling Silver Geometric Hoop Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$76.38CAD Wholesale

~~$89.99CAD~~ $76.38CAD
Tribal Points, Brass and Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings from Bali

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$70.50CAD Wholesale

~~$82.99CAD~~ $70.50CAD
Dangling Lombok, Handmade Balinese Cow Bone Silver Dangle Earrings for Women

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$82.25CAD Wholesale

~~$96.99CAD~~ $82.25CAD
Coming back

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

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$98.50CAD Wholesale

~~$103.99CAD~~ $98.50CAD
Coming back

Bamboo Island, Drop Earrings Crafted from Silver Turquoise and Bamboo

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$82.25CAD Wholesale

~~$96.99CAD~~ $82.25CAD
Black Dawn, Handcrafted Sterling Silver and Black Horn Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$91.66CAD Wholesale

~~$107.99CAD~~ $91.66CAD
White Dawn, Sterling Silver and Black White Handcrafted Earrings

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$91.66CAD Wholesale

~~$107.99CAD~~ $91.66CAD
Toraja Tux, Silver Accent Bone Earrings with Water Buffalo Horn

Pertiwi Collection

(112)

$70.50CAD Wholesale

~~$82.99CAD~~ $70.50CAD

Featured Reviews

Brass and sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Aksara Coins'

Sandra l

Jun 9, 2018

Aksara earrings

Awesome. Well made, not too heavy. Love them. Have a necklace with Balinese coins and these earrings look great with it.

Sterling Silver Jewellery

Silver Jewellery

No Stone Jewellery

Jewellery

Sterling silver and cow horn dangle earrings, 'Seagull'

Melanie

Mar 1, 2017

Admired these for a long time

After admiring these for a long time on Novica, I finally made a purchase. They arrived very fast, and were beautifully packaged. The earrings were even nicer "in person" than in the photos. Delighted with them.