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

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

Bestseller

Winter, Blue-Green Gemstone Cluster Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

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

Bestseller

Bright Bouquet, Handcrafted Amethyst and Pearl Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£21.90 Wholesale

£21.90

Sea Gold, Brass and Reconstituted Turquoise Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

£43.81 Wholesale

£43.81

Crystalline Drops in Blue, Blue Quartz and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

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)

£65.38 Wholesale

~~£69.70~~ £65.38

Onyx waterfall earrings, 'Bali Raindrops' - Sterling Silver Onyx Dangle Earrings Handmade in Indonesia

Bestseller

Bali Raindrops, Sterling Silver Onyx Dangle Earrings Handmade in Indonesia

Made Sugi

(291)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

Beaded waterfall earrings, 'Peaks and Valleys in Purple' - Blue and Purple Woven Bead Waterfall Earrings

Bestseller

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

Pearls of the Sea Youth Group

(14)

£43.81 Wholesale

£43.81

Fire Fall, Carnelian dangle earrings

Narayannii

(693)

£29.63 Wholesale

~~£35.84~~ £29.63

Lapis lazuli and ceramic hoop dangle earrings, 'Noble Duo' - Traditional Floral Lapis Lazuli and Ceramic Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Noble Duo, Traditional Floral Lapis Lazuli and Ceramic Dangle Earrings

Tipa

(167)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

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

Sareeyakarn

(215)

£40.82 Wholesale

£40.82

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

Tipa

(167)

£42.81 Wholesale

£42.81

Magenta Balloon, Rose Quartz Freshwater Pearl Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

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)

£24.89 Wholesale

£24.89

Quartz dangle earrings, 'Pink Bubbles' - Pink Quartz and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings with Copper

Bestseller

Pink Bubbles, Pink Quartz and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings with Copper

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Dionysus in Pink, Hand Crafted Quartz and Agate Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Multi-gemstone beaded dangle earrings, 'Dawn Atoms' - Warm-Toned Multi-Gemstone Beaded Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Dawn Atoms, Warm-Toned Multi-Gemstone Beaded Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

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)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Succulent Candy, 18k Gold Plated Natural Tourmaline Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

Cool Rain, Handcrafted Multicoloured Chalcedony Dangle Earrings

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

£56.22 Wholesale

~~£66.71~~ £56.22

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

Pearls of the Sea Youth Group

(14)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

Crystal and glass beaded dangle earrings, 'The Turquoise Seahorse' - Turquoise Crystal and Glass Beaded Seahorse Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

The Turquoise Seahorse, Turquoise Crystal and Glass Beaded Seahorse Dangle Earrings

Domingo Reanda

(42)

£30.86 Wholesale

£30.86

Solaris in Purple, Amethyst and Cultured Pearl Cluster Clip-On Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.89 Wholesale

£24.89

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

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

£30.86 Wholesale

£30.86

Rainshower, Howlite Pyrite Reconstituted Turquoise Dangle Earrings

Somluck Komolmith

(401)

£28.14 Wholesale

~~£31.86~~ £28.14

Amber dangle earrings, 'Stylish Courage' - Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Natural Amber Stones

Bestseller

Stylish Courage, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Natural Amber Stones

Luis Zuñiga

(12)

£52.77 Wholesale

£52.77

Smoky quartz beaded dangle earrings, 'Global Wonder' - Smoky Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Global Wonder, Smoky Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Kai Kittima

(61)

£21.44 Wholesale

~~£26.88~~ £21.44

Citrus Party, Pearl Peridot Quartz Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£20.11 Wholesale

~~£22.89~~ £20.11

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

Bestseller

Radiant Love, Handcrafted Beaded Quartz Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£19.91 Wholesale

£19.91

Caribbean Blue Sparkle, Blue Crystal Dangle Earrings With Sterling Silver Hooks

Domingo Reanda

(42)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

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)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Multi-gemstone beaded dangle earrings, 'Chakra of Life' - Chakra-Themed Multi-Gemstone Beaded Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

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

Wayan Trisna

(6)

£47.46 Wholesale

~~£52.77~~ £47.46

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)

£57.75 Wholesale

£57.75

Grey Rainbow, Dangle Earrings With Rows of Grey Beads From Guatemala

Domingo Reanda

(42)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

Blue Huichol Circles, Huichol Glass Beaded Earrings in Blue from Mexico

Adriana Trejo

(140)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

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)

£26.88 Wholesale

£26.88

Heavenly Gift, Handmade Gemstone Cluster Earrings

Sasina

(409)

£24.89 Wholesale

£24.89

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

Rachel Armah

(45)

£24.89 Wholesale

£24.89

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

Somsiri Juntamin

(76)

£43.44 Wholesale

~~£48.79~~ £43.44

Quartz, glass and resin cluster earrings, 'Purple Perfect' - Purple Quartz Glass and Resin Beaded Cluster Earrings

Bestseller

Purple Perfect, Purple Quartz Glass and Resin Beaded Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Pearl and peridot cluster earrings, 'Verdant Love' - Handcrafted Thai Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Verdant Love, Handcrafted Thai Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£20.11 Wholesale

~~£22.89~~ £20.11

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

Domingo Reanda

(42)

£26.88 Wholesale

£26.88

Grape Picking, Amethyst and Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Summer Festival, Handmade Quartz and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Purple Paradise, Handcrafted Multi-Gemstone Purple Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Rain of Mystery, Clear Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings with Black Pearls

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Gold-plated onyx dangle earrings, 'Golden Torrent in Green' - Handmade Gold-Plated Green Onyx Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Golden Torrent in Green, Handmade Gold-Plated Green Onyx Dangle Earrings

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

£39.90 Wholesale

~~£42.81~~ £39.90

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

Tina Quaye

(14)

£39.82 Wholesale

£39.82

Quartz beaded earrings, 'Luscious Fruit' - Quartz Beaded Earrings with Sterling Silver Hooks

Bestseller

Luscious Fruit, Quartz Beaded Earrings with Sterling Silver Hooks

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

True Violet, Amethyst and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Tipa

(167)

£39.82 Wholesale

£39.82

Rainbow Flair, colourful 14k Gold-Plated Brass and Glass Beads Hoop Earrings

Adriana Trejo

(140)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

Nndwoma Kese, Hand Beaded Earrings with Soapstone and Cat's Eye

Rachel Armah

(45)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

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)

£51.49 Wholesale

~~£57.75~~ £51.49

Green Signals, Handcrafted Green Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings

Hands Of Atitlan

(5)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

Oval Nature, Oval Soapstone and Bauxite Beaded Dangle Earrings from Ghana

Rachel Armah

(45)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Heavenly, India Handmade Chalcedony Earrings

Narayannii

(693)

£22.03 Wholesale

~~£26.88~~ £22.03

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

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Shining Splendor, Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings with Dangling Amethyst Stones

Somluck Komolmith

(401)

£52.77 Wholesale

£52.77

Gold and Blue, Gold Plated Brass and Crystal Bead Earrings

Alejandra Torres

(21)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

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

Tina Quaye

(14)

£30.86 Wholesale

£30.86

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)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Green Vibe, Artisan Crafted Jasper and Aventurine Dangle Earrings

Siriporn

(180)

£43.81 Wholesale

£43.81

Amazing Waterfall in Purple, Artisan Crafted Long Beaded Waterfall Earrings in Purple

Siriporn

(180)

£73.73 Wholesale

~~£98.58~~ £73.73

Pillars of Love, Lapis lazuli dangle earrings

Narayannii

(693)

£28.11 Wholesale

~~£33.85~~ £28.11

Carnelian dangle earrings, 'Fiery Memory' - Carnelian Beaded Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Fiery Memory, Carnelian Beaded Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Tipa

(167)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

Tangerine Glam, Orange Magnesite & Brass Beaded Double Hoop Dangle Earrings

Tiraphan Hasub

(931)

£20.90 Wholesale

£20.90

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)

£24.89 Wholesale

£24.89

Purple Drop Sparkle, Double Drop Dangle Earrings With Purple Crystal Beads

Domingo Reanda

(42)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

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

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

£30.86 Wholesale

£30.86

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

Victor Dushie

(46)

£30.86 Wholesale

£30.86

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)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Bouquet, Hand Crafted Multigem Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£26.88 Wholesale

£26.88

Sunshine Maiden, Yellow Recycled Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings from Ghana

Victor Dushie

(46)

£26.88 Wholesale

£26.88

Quartz and cultured pearl beaded dangle earrings, 'Soft Pink Love' - Pink Quartz and Cultured Pearl Beaded Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Soft Pink Love, Pink Quartz and Cultured Pearl Beaded Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

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

Bestseller

Sweet Tropics, Handmade Garnet Carnelian Citrine Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£20.11 Wholesale

~~£22.89~~ £20.11

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

Bestseller

Thai Joy, Gemstone Beaded Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£20.11 Wholesale

~~£22.89~~ £20.11

Lapis lazuli beaded waterfall earrings, 'True Jewels' - Blue-Toned Lapis Lazuli and Glass Beaded Waterfall Earrings

Bestseller

True Jewels, Blue-Toned Lapis Lazuli and Glass Beaded Waterfall Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.89 Wholesale

£24.89

Rustic Dreams, Artisan Crafted Wood Beaded Dangle Earrings from Ghana

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

£26.88 Wholesale

£26.88

Sweet Candy, Rose Quartz and Garnet Beaded Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

£24.12 Wholesale

~~£26.88~~ £24.12

Butterfly Spirit, Butterfly-Themed Rainbow Glass Beaded Waterfall Earrings

Adriana Trejo

(140)

£30.86 Wholesale

£30.86

Onyx chandelier earrings, 'Brilliant Meteor' - Chandelier Style Earrings with Onyx and Glass Beads

Bestseller

Brilliant Meteor, Chandelier Style Earrings with Onyx and Glass Beads

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.89 Wholesale

£24.89

Dionysus in Orange, Hand Crafted Orange Agate Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Sunshine Bright, Beaded Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Moonlight Garden in Blue, Dyed Calcite Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Calcite beaded dangle earrings, 'Red Circles' - Red Calcite and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Red Circles, Red Calcite and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

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