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

Gleaming Globes, Onyx and Moonstone Beaded Dangle Earrings from India

Sabir

(99)

£10.76 Wholesale

~~£13~~ £10.76

Gemstone Burst, Purple Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings from India

Sabir

(99)

£10.76 Wholesale

~~£13~~ £10.76

Quartz beaded dangle earrings, 'Royal Arrangement' - Pink and Purple Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings from India

Bestseller

Royal Arrangement, Pink and Purple Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings from India

Sabir

(99)

£13.83 Wholesale

~~£16~~ £13.83

Gemstone Orbs, Round Black Onyx Stud Earrings from India

Narayannii

(693)

£14.60 Wholesale

~~£18~~ £14.60

Royal Discretion, Petite Lapis Lazuli Dangle Earrings with Sterling Silver

Narayannii

(693)

£14.60 Wholesale

~~£18~~ £14.60

Contemporary Corners, Square Black Onyx Stud Earrings from India

Narayannii

(693)

£14.60 Wholesale

~~£18~~ £14.60

Onyx dangle earrings, 'Midnight Charm' - Onyx dangle earrings

Bestseller

Midnight Charm, Onyx dangle earrings

Narayannii

(693)

£15.46 Wholesale

~~£18~~ £15.46

Amethyst and rainbow moonstone dangle earrings, 'Morning Clouds' - Amethyst and Rainbow Moonstone Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Morning Clouds, Amethyst and Rainbow Moonstone Dangle Earrings

Narayannii

(693)

£15.46 Wholesale

~~£18~~ £15.46

Graceful Amethyst, Indian Amethyst Agate and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Narayannii

(693)

£17.67 Wholesale

~~£21~~ £17.67

Orb Clusters, Onyx and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from India

Rituu Agarwal

(1071)

£17.67 Wholesale

~~£21~~ £17.67

Contemporary Corners, Square Lapis Lazuli Stud Earrings from India

Narayannii

(693)

£17.67 Wholesale

~~£21~~ £17.67

Dreamy Affair, Hand Crafted Amethyst and Rose Quartz Dangle Earrings

Rituu Agarwal

(1071)

£17.67 Wholesale

~~£21~~ £17.67

Orb Clusters, Garnet and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from India

Rituu Agarwal

(1071)

£17.67 Wholesale

~~£21~~ £17.67

Subtle Mysteries, Handcrafted Rose Quartz Earrings with Smoky Quartz

Rituu Agarwal

(1071)

£17.67 Wholesale

~~£21~~ £17.67

Sweet Mysteries, Lapis Lazuli and Amazonite Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Rituu Agarwal

(1071)

£17.67 Wholesale

~~£21~~ £17.67

Mint in the Mist, Smoky Quartz and Green Quartz Silver Hook Dangle Earrings

Rituu Agarwal

(1071)

£17.67 Wholesale

~~£21~~ £17.67

Violet Frond, Amethyst Sterling Silver Unfurling Fronds Dangle Earrings

Chintan

(321)

£17.67 Wholesale

~~£21~~ £17.67

Pillars of Impassioned Love, Moonstone dangle earrings

Narayannii

(693)

£17.67 Wholesale

~~£21~~ £17.67

Vineyard, Pearl and iolite earrings

Rituu Agarwal

(1071)

£17.67 Wholesale

~~£21~~ £17.67

Proud Queen, Natural Agate and Recycled Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings

Victor Dushie

(46)

£18 Wholesale

£18

Agate Ovation, Agate Chip Cluster Earrings with Brass Ear Hooks from Ghana

Harriet Faako Adjei

(4)

£18 Wholesale

£18

Stay with Me, Red Agate and Wood Beaded Earrings Artisan Crafted Jewellery

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

£18 Wholesale

£18

Eco Grace, Eco-Friendly Agate and Cat's Eye Beaded Dangle Earrings

Justina Botwey

(16)

£18 Wholesale

£18

Eco Cuteness, Tiger's Eye and Agate Earrings Crafted in Ghana

Justina Botwey

(16)

£18 Wholesale

£18

Miyanko Beauty, Agate and Tiger's Eye Beaded Dangle Earrings from Ghana

Justina Botwey

(16)

£18 Wholesale

£18

Nuku, Agate and Recycled Glass Bead Dangle Earrings

Harriet Faako Adjei

(4)

£18 Wholesale

£18

Rajasthan Dancer, Moonstone and garnet dangle earrings

Narayannii

(693)

£19.21 Wholesale

~~£23~~ £19.21

Glorious Sunset, Faceted Carnelian Dangle Earrings with Sterling Silver

Narayannii

(693)

£19.21 Wholesale

~~£23~~ £19.21

Midnight Kisses, Onyx and pearl dangle earrings

Narayannii

(693)

£19.21 Wholesale

~~£23~~ £19.21

Red Night, Garnet and Sterling Silver Stud Earrings

Shanker

(1425)

£19.21 Wholesale

~~£23~~ £19.21

Gentle Tear in Green, Green Onyx and Sterling Silver Teardrop Dangle Earrings

Alok Jain

(1879)

£19.21 Wholesale

~~£23~~ £19.21

Subtle Glimmer, Sterling Silver Stud Earrings with Blue Topaz Gemstone

Narayannii

(693)

£19.21 Wholesale

~~£23~~ £19.21

Subtle Sophistication, Sterling Silver Stud Earrings with Garnet Gemstone

Narayannii

(693)

£19.21 Wholesale

~~£23~~ £19.21

Gujarat Skies, Rainbow Moonstone and Lapis Lazuli Dangle Earrings

Narayannii

(693)

£19.21 Wholesale

~~£23~~ £19.21

Romantic Charm, Sterling Silver Threader Earrings with 1-Carat Garnet Gems

Bhavesh

(1335)

£19.21 Wholesale

~~£23~~ £19.21

Orb Dance in Red-Orange, Red-Orange Onyx Beaded Dangle Earrings Crafted in India

Rituu Agarwal

(1071)

£19.21 Wholesale

~~£23~~ £19.21

Pillars of Energy, Carnelian dangle earrings

Narayannii

(693)

£19.21 Wholesale

~~£23~~ £19.21

Jagannath Mystique, Amethyst dangle earrings

Narayannii

(693)

£19.21 Wholesale

~~£23~~ £19.21

Pillars of Night, Onyx dangle earrings

Narayannii

(693)

£19.21 Wholesale

~~£23~~ £19.21

Dazzling Passion, Sterling Silver Stud Earrings with Pear-Shaped Garnet Gems

Narayannii

(693)

£19.21 Wholesale

~~£23~~ £19.21

Perseverance Core, Sterling Silver Stud Earrings with Natural Garnet Gemstones

Bhavya Jain

(422)

£19.21 Wholesale

~~£23~~ £19.21

Adorable Passion, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Natural Garnet Stones

Narayannii

(693)

£19.21 Wholesale

~~£23~~ £19.21

Liberated Perseverance, Sterling Silver Stud Earrings with Freeform Garnet Stones

Bhavya Jain

(422)

£19.21 Wholesale

~~£23~~ £19.21

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

Bestseller

Radiant Love, Handcrafted Beaded Quartz Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£20 Wholesale

£20

Aquamarine cluster earrings, 'Thai Joy' - Handmade Thai Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Thai Joy, Handmade Thai Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£20 Wholesale

£20

Sterling silver stud earrings, 'Round Wheel' - Openwork Sterling Silver and CZ Stud Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Round Wheel, Openwork Sterling Silver and CZ Stud Earrings from Thailand

Sarote Lochotinunt

(339)

£20.33 Wholesale

~~£28~~ £20.33

Fiery Shower, Drop-Shaped Carnelian Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Sarote Lochotinunt

(339)

£20.33 Wholesale

~~£28~~ £20.33

Lapis lazuli dangle earrings, 'Gentle Tear' - Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Teardrop Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Gentle Tear, Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Teardrop Dangle Earrings

Alok Jain

(1879)

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