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 Beaded at NOVICA United Kingdom

Garnet and amethyst cluster earrings, 'Bright Bouquet' - Handcrafted Amethyst and Pearl Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Bright Bouquet, Handcrafted Amethyst and Pearl Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.65 Wholesale

£22.65

Cultured pearl beaded dangle earrings, 'Winter' - Blue-Green Gemstone Cluster Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Winter, Blue-Green Gemstone Cluster Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£23.68 Wholesale

£23.68

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

Bestseller

Brilliant Meteor, Purple Beaded Chandelier Earrings with Quartz and Glass

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.71 Wholesale

£24.71

Falling Rain, Unique Turquoise Colored Waterfall Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Serpentine and quartz beaded dangle earrings, 'Fun Circles in Teal' - Serpentine and Quartz Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Fun Circles in Teal, Serpentine and Quartz Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£23.68 Wholesale

£23.68

Pink Paradise, Handcrafted Multi-Gemstone Pink Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Garnet and carnelian cluster earrings, 'Sweet Tropics' - Handmade Garnet Carnelian Citrine Cluster Earrings

Bestseller

Sweet Tropics, Handmade Garnet Carnelian Citrine Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Ocean Bohemian, 18k Gold-Plated Beaded Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Sareeyakarn

(215)

£41.19 Wholesale

£41.19

Glass beaded waterfall earrings, 'Summer Spirit' - Sun-Themed Red and Turquoise Glass Beaded Waterfall Earrings

Bestseller

Summer Spirit, Sun-Themed Red and Turquoise Glass Beaded Waterfall Earrings

Adriana Trejo

(140)

£35.01 Wholesale

£35.01

Lapis lazuli beaded dangle earrings, 'Naturally Blue' - Sterling Earrings with Lapis Lazuli

Bestseller

Naturally Blue, Sterling Earrings with Lapis Lazuli

Teodoro Melendez and Family

(135)

£16.46 Wholesale

~~£18.53~~ £16.46

Lapis lazuli hoop earrings, 'Shining Allure' - Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings with Lapis Lazuli Stones

Bestseller

Shining Allure, Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings with Lapis Lazuli Stones

Somluck Komolmith

(401)

£49.41 Wholesale

~~£55.61~~ £49.41

Garnet waterfall earrings, 'Chimes of Love' - Garnet Waterfall Earrings in Sterling Silver from India

Bestseller

Chimes of Love, Garnet Waterfall Earrings in Sterling Silver from India

Rituu Agarwal

(1071)

£46.34 Wholesale

£46.34

Summer Fire, Multi-Gemstone Beaded Dangle Earrings Crafted in Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Cultured pearl and rose quartz cluster earrings, 'Radiant Bouquet' - Handcrafted Cultured Pearl and Rose Quartz Cluster Earrings

Bestseller

Radiant Bouquet, Handcrafted Cultured Pearl and Rose Quartz Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Glass beaded dangle earrings, 'Frida Beads' - Frida Kahlo Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Bestseller

Frida Beads, Frida Kahlo Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Adriana Trejo

(140)

£32.95 Wholesale

£32.95

Cultured pearl and carnelian cluster earrings, 'Spicy Peach' - Handcrafted Pearl Carnelian Prehnite Cluster Earrings

Bestseller

Spicy Peach, Handcrafted Pearl Carnelian Prehnite Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Shower of colours, colourful Glass Beaded Waterfall Earrings from Mexico

Adriana Trejo

(140)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Crystalline Drops, Smoky Quartz and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Pink Rose, Handcrafted Thai Quartz Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Quartz dangle earrings, 'Garden Bliss in Teal' - Serpentine Quartz and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings with Copper

Bestseller

Garden Bliss in Teal, Serpentine Quartz and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings with Copper

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Green quartz chandelier earrings, 'Brilliant Meteor' - Green Quartz and Glass Bead Chandelier Style Earrings

Bestseller

Brilliant Meteor, Green Quartz and Glass Bead Chandelier Style Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Lavender Bliss, Gold Plated Amethyst and Garnet Dangle Earrings

Somsiri Juntamin

(76)

£37.07 Wholesale

£37.07

Gold-plated multi-gemstone dangle earrings, 'Pink Sea' - Gold-Plated Cultured Pearl and Chalcedony Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Pink Sea, Gold-Plated Cultured Pearl and Chalcedony Dangle Earrings

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

£119.48 Wholesale

£119.48

Shining Splendor, Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings with Dangling Amethyst Stones

Somluck Komolmith

(401)

£55.61 Wholesale

£55.61

Brilliant Cascade, 24k Gold Plated Silver and Quartz Waterfall Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.71 Wholesale

£24.71

Brilliant Meteor, Chandelier Style Earrings with Onyx and Glass Beads

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.71 Wholesale

£24.71

Gold-plated lapis lazuli dangle earrings, 'Deep Blue' - 18k Gold-Plated Dangle Earrings with Lapis Lazuli Stone

Bestseller

Deep Blue, 18k Gold-Plated Dangle Earrings with Lapis Lazuli Stone

Adriana de Gadea

(228)

£57.64 Wholesale

~~£64.89~~ £57.64

Mystic Daisy, Handcrafted Floral Carnelian Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Amethyst and quartz dangle earrings, 'Grape Picking' - Amethyst and Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Grape Picking, Amethyst and Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Joyous Celebration, Colorful Fair Trade Beaded Wood Dangle Earrings from Ghana

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

£32.95 Wholesale

£32.95

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

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

£35.01 Wholesale

£35.01

Nature's Harmony, Handmade Sodalite Beaded Dangle Earrings

Teodoro Melendez and Family

(135)

£22.65 Wholesale

£22.65

Bright Garden, Carnelian and Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Rainshower, Howlite Pyrite Reconstituted Turquoise Dangle Earrings

Somluck Komolmith

(401)

£28.82 Wholesale

~~£32.95~~ £28.82

Dark Colorful Stars, Dark Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Adriana Trejo

(140)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Blue Countess, Eco-Friendly Blue and Yellow Recycled Glass Dangle Earrings

Tina Quaye

(14)

£44.28 Wholesale

£44.28

Rustic Dreams, Artisan Crafted Wood Beaded Dangle Earrings from Ghana

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

£27.80 Wholesale

£27.80

Green Touch, Quartz and Brass Beaded Dangle Earrings with Silver Hooks

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Cat's eye beaded dangle earrings, 'Verdant Orbs' - Green Cat's Eye Beaded Dangle Earrings from Ghana

Bestseller

Verdant Orbs, Green Cat's Eye Beaded Dangle Earrings from Ghana

Rachel Armah

(45)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Cupcake Sprinkles, Multicoloured Chalcedony and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

£160.68 Wholesale

£160.68

Pearl and citrine cluster earrings, 'Radiant Love' - Handcrafted Beaded Quartz Earrings

Bestseller

Radiant Love, Handcrafted Beaded Quartz Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Brilliant Cascade, Gemstone Waterfall Earrings in 24k Gold Plated Sterling

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Cultured pearl and quartz dangle earrings, 'Happy Bunch' - Cultured Pearl and Quartz Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Happy Bunch, Cultured Pearl and Quartz Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Chakra of Life, Chakra-Themed Multi-Gemstone Beaded Dangle Earrings

Wayan Trisna

(6)

£50.56 Wholesale

~~£59.73~~ £50.56

Magenta Balloon, Rose Quartz Freshwater Pearl Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Multicoloured Diamonds, Brown & Aqua Beaded Waterfall Earrings with Diamond Pattern

Pearls of the Sea Youth Group

(14)

£50.46 Wholesale

£50.46

Swarovski crystal beaded dangle earrings, 'Colors of Pride' - Multicolored Swarovski Crystal Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Colors of Pride, Multicolored Swarovski Crystal Dangle Earrings

Alejandra Aceves

(48)

£62.83 Wholesale

£62.83

Solaris in Blue, Agate and Lapis Lazuli Cluster Clip-On Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.70 Wholesale

~~£27.80~~ £24.70

Chakra Universe, Fair Trade Lapis Lazuli Handcrafted Earrings

Narayannii

(693)

£39.52 Wholesale

~~£44.28~~ £39.52

Adiagba in Blue, Eco-Friendly Blue Recycled Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings

Tina Quaye

(14)

£44.28 Wholesale

£44.28

Green Signals, Handcrafted Green Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings

Hands Of Atitlan

(5)

£37.07 Wholesale

£37.07

Pearl and carnelian beaded earrings, 'Golden Vines' - Thailand Yellow Pearl Carnelian Quartz Cluster Earrings

Bestseller

Golden Vineyard, Thailand Yellow Pearl Carnelian Quartz Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Garnet dangle earrings, 'Ringed Gems' - Garnet Dangle Earrings with Sterling Rings from Thailand

Bestseller

Ringed Gems, Garnet Dangle Earrings with Sterling Rings from Thailand

Somsiri Juntamin

(76)

£35.01 Wholesale

£35.01

Green Vibe, Artisan Crafted Jasper and Aventurine Dangle Earrings

Siriporn

(180)

£53.55 Wholesale

£53.55

Striking Enchantment, Two-Tone Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings from El Salvador

Pearls of the Sea Youth Group

(14)

£37.07 Wholesale

£37.07

Luxurious Rain, Gold Plated Multi-Gemstone Waterfall Earrings from Thailand

Somsiri Juntamin

(76)

£49.41 Wholesale

~~£55.61~~ £49.41

Floral Colors, Glass Beaded Floral Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Adriana Trejo

(140)

£23.68 Wholesale

£23.68

Sweet Winter, Lapis Lazuli and Aquamarine Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£23.05 Wholesale

~~£25.74~~ £23.05

Quartz beaded dangle earrings, 'Blossom Blush' - Handmade Pink Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Blossom Blush, Handmade Pink Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£27.80 Wholesale

£27.80

Tangerine Day, Artisan Crafted Carnelian and Quartz Dangle Earrings

Tipa

(167)

£41.19 Wholesale

£41.19

Crystal and glass beaded dangle earrings, 'Passion Lotus' - Lotus-Shaped Red Crystal and Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Passion Lotus, Lotus-Shaped Red Crystal and Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings

Domingo Reanda

(42)

£27.80 Wholesale

£27.80

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)

£24.71 Wholesale

£24.71

Fire Warrior, Red Recycled Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings with Brass Hooks

Victor Dushie

(46)

£32.95 Wholesale

£32.95

Lights of Joy, Handcrafted Coconut Shell and Wood Beaded Dangle Earrings

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

£32.95 Wholesale

£32.95

Turning Leaves, Handcrafted Pearl Carnelian Citrine Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Heroic Heart, Quartz and Lapis Lazuli Heart-Themed Dangle Earrings

Tipa

(167)

£41.17 Wholesale

~~£46.34~~ £41.17

Multi-gemstone cluster earrings, 'Orange and Green Glam' - Chalcedony Citrine Quartz and Glass Beaded Cluster Earrings

Bestseller

Orange and Green Glam, Chalcedony Citrine Quartz and Glass Beaded Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Night Embrace, Black and White Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings from Ghana

Tina Quaye

(14)

£32.95 Wholesale

£32.95

Pillars of Impassioned Love, Moonstone dangle earrings

Narayannii

(693)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Gold-plated multi-gemstone beaded dangle earrings, 'Chakra of Paradise' - 18k Gold-Plated Multi-Gemstone Beaded Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Chakra of Paradise, 18k Gold-Plated Multi-Gemstone Beaded Dangle Earrings

Wayan Trisna

(6)

£60.85 Wholesale

~~£64.89~~ £60.85

Cool Dream, Aquamarine and Freshwater Pearl Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Global Wonder, Smoky Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Kai Kittima

(61)

£21.95 Wholesale

~~£27.80~~ £21.95

Pearl and garnet cluster earrings, 'Thai Joy' - Gemstone Beaded Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Thai Joy, Gemstone Beaded Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Candy Bouquet in Orange, Agate and Cultured Freshwater Pearl Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£27.80 Wholesale

£27.80

Fascinating Delight, Natural Soapstone and Bauxite Beaded Dangle Earrings

Rachel Armah

(45)

£24.71 Wholesale

£24.71

Peaks and Valleys in Purple, Blue and Purple Woven Bead Waterfall Earrings

Pearls of the Sea Youth Group

(14)

£50.46 Wholesale

£50.46

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

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

£27.80 Wholesale

£27.80

Eco-friendly beaded dangle earrings, 'Environment Festival' - colourful Wood and Recycled Plastic Beaded Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Environment Festival, colourful Wood and Recycled Plastic Beaded Dangle Earrings

Salome Korkor Kpokli

(7)

£27.80 Wholesale

£27.80

Quartz and onyx dangle earrings, 'Lovely Blend in Black' - Quartz and Onyx Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Lovely Blend in Black, Quartz and Onyx Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Thail Chic, colourful Multi-Gemstone Dangle Earrings with Silver Accents

Tipa

(167)

£46.34 Wholesale

£46.34

Beautiful Glam in Green, Multi-Gemstone Beaded Cluster Earrings in Green

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.71 Wholesale

£24.71

colourful Wings of Freedom, Crystal & Glass Beaded Butterfly Wing Shaped Dangle Earrings

Domingo Reanda

(42)

£27.80 Wholesale

£27.80

Dionysus in Orange, Hand Crafted Orange Agate Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£25.74 Wholesale

£25.74

Cool Rain, Handcrafted Multicoloured Chalcedony Dangle Earrings

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

£108.15 Wholesale

£108.15

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