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 Birthstone at NOVICA United Kingdom

Peridot dangle earrings, 'Drifting Petals' - Peridot dangle earrings

New Arrival

Drifting Petals, Peridot dangle earrings

Hema

(146)

£72 Wholesale

~~£80.35~~ £72

Frames, Square Sterling Silver Frame with Onyx Orb Dangle Earrings

Manuel Fredebrecht

(12)

£87.39 Wholesale

£87.39

Life Power, Handmade Jade and Rose Quartz Earrings

Zandra Lorena Sajbin

(630)

£49.78 Wholesale

~~£62.27~~ £49.78

Treasure of the Depths, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Cultured Pearls

Miriam Bruten

(7)

£71.31 Wholesale

£71.31

Pearly Richness, Sterling Silver Beaded Dangle Earrings with Cream Pearls

Miriam Bruten

(7)

£62.27 Wholesale

£62.27

Burgundy Daisies, Crystal Beaded Sterling Silver Floral Dangle Earrings

Guisselle Mora

(49)

£61.27 Wholesale

£61.27

Pearl Awakening, Cultured Pearl and 925 Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Guisselle Mora

(49)

£98.44 Wholesale

£98.44

Turquoise Awakening, Floral 925 Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Costa Rica

Guisselle Mora

(49)

£80.35 Wholesale

£80.35

Costa Rican Rose, Rose and White Cultured Pearl Earrings with Sterling Silver

Miriam Bruten

(7)

£58.25 Wholesale

£58.25

Poppy Fans, Hand-Tatted Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings in Poppy

Gladys Pichola

(22)

£34.14 Wholesale

£34.14

Butterfly Texture, Sterling Silver and Recon Turquoise Butterfly Drop Earrings

Guisselle Mora

(49)

£58.25 Wholesale

£58.25

Lovely Passion, Round Garnet Dangle Earrings Crafted in Guatemala

Estuardo Jimenez

(63)

£40.17 Wholesale

£40.17

Marine Victory, Cream Cultured Pearl Beaded Dangle Earrings from Costa Rica

Miriam Bruten

(7)

£62.27 Wholesale

£62.27

Marine Meditations, White and Grey Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings

Miriam Bruten

(7)

£62.27 Wholesale

£62.27

Simple Drop in Light Green, Green Jade and Sterling Silver Teardrop Dangle Earrings

Estuardo Jimenez

(63)

£71.31 Wholesale

£71.31

Modern Holes, Modern Circular Onyx Dangle Earrings from Nicaragua

Manuel Fredebrecht

(12)

£49.21 Wholesale

£49.21

Maya Sunbeam, Artisan Crafted Orange Quartz and Silver Earrings

Zandra Lorena Sajbin

(630)

£70.31 Wholesale

£70.31

Purple Daisies, Crystal Beaded 925 Sterling Silver Floral Dangle Earrings

Guisselle Mora

(49)

£61.27 Wholesale

£61.27

Turquoise Daisies, Crystal Beaded Sterling Silver Floral Dangle Earrings

Guisselle Mora

(49)

£61.27 Wholesale

£61.27

Resplendent Rose, Artisan Crafted Cultured Pearl Earrings

Miriam Bruten

(7)

£70.31 Wholesale

£70.31

Golden Essence, Flower-Shaped Cultured Pearl and Crystal Earrings

Jenny Loaiza

£43.19 Wholesale

£43.19

Faith Essence, Cream-Toned Baroque Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings

Adriana Golcher

(1)

£36.15 Wholesale

£36.15

Floral Appeal, Golden Copper Wire Drop Earrings with Cultured Pearl

Sonia Chaves

£36.15 Wholesale

£36.15

Natural Freedom, Nature-Inspired Sterling Amethyst Silver Dangle Earrings

Nicte Migliozzi

(47)

£151.68 Wholesale

£151.68

Azure and Ivory, Cultured Pearl and Lapis Lazuli Dangle Earrings with Silver

Miriam Bruten

(7)

£48 Wholesale

~~£54.24~~ £48

Cool Wind, Dangle Earrings with Cultured Pearls & Twisted Wire Accents

Yeudi Bonilla

£45.19 Wholesale

£45.19

Baroque Beauty, White Baroque Cultured Pearl Earrings

Miriam Bruten

(7)

£58.25 Wholesale

£58.25

colours on Cream, Silver Dangle Earrings with Cultured Pearls & Crystal Beads

Miriam Bruten

(7)

£54.24 Wholesale

£54.24

Sea Essence, 925 Silver Dangle Earrings with Two Tone Cultured Pearls

Miriam Bruten

(7)

£58.25 Wholesale

£58.25

Sunny Viridian, Jade and Carnelian Dangle Earrings from Guatemala

Zandra Lorena Sajbin

(630)

£70.31 Wholesale

£70.31

Verdant Jacaranda, Jade and Amethyst Dangle Earrings from Guatemala

Zandra Lorena Sajbin

(630)

£54.24 Wholesale

£54.24

Jade Shadows, Sterling Silver Stud Earrings with Green Jade Beads

Ruben and Gilda Perez

(250)

£39.11 Wholesale

~~£49.21~~ £39.11

Full Moons, Opal and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Nicaragua

Manuel Fredebrecht

(12)

£80.35 Wholesale

£80.35

Shades of Rose, Pink Pearl Dangle Earrings

Miriam Bruten

(7)

£31.99 Wholesale

~~£36.15~~ £31.99

Rose Rising, Sterling Silver and Pink Cultured Peal Earrings

Miriam Bruten

(7)

Welcome!

Unique Gifts

Curated Gift Boxes

Build Your Own Gift Sets

Express Gifts

Gift Cards

Special Collections

Materials

Collections

Popular & New

Men's Fashion

Seasonal Collections

Decor Collections

Special Collections

Discipline

Subject Matter

Colour Themes

Special Collections

Earrings Birthstone

The Village Council

Featured Reviews

Neeru Goel Sterling silver and gemstone jewelry

The Catalogue Collection