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 Dragonfly at NOVICA United Kingdom

Dragonfly Intricacy, Sterling Silver Dragonfly Stud Earrings from Bali

Anya

(29)

£23.05 Wholesale

~~£25.74~~ £23.05

Dragonfly Complexity, Dragonfly Wing Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Bali

Budiharta

(84)

£24.70 Wholesale

~~£27.80~~ £24.70

Airy Wings, Karen Silver Dragonfly Drop Earrings

Sasithon Saisuk

(142)

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£24.71

Dragonfly Wrap, Artisan Crafted Sterling Silver Dragonfly Drop Earrings

Lalana

(549)

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£25.74

Enchanted Dragonfly, Sterling Silver Citrine Dangle Earrings

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

£27.21 Wholesale

~~£32.95~~ £27.21

Baby Dragonfly, Silver Button Earrings

Wadarat Supasirisuk

(1675)

£27.80 Wholesale

£27.80

Enchanted Dragonfly, Reconstituted Turquoise and Silver Earrings

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

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~~£35.01~~ £29.55

Shimmering Wings, Gold Accented Sterling Silver Dragonfly Earrings from Bali

Made Suyana

(51)

£32.94 Wholesale

~~£37.07~~ £32.94

Kintamani Dragonfly in Blue, Dragonfly Theme Earrings Crafted from Sterling and Topaz

Wayan Asmana

(910)

£32.94 Wholesale

~~£37.07~~ £32.94

Sterling silver and marcasite stud earrings, 'Petite Dragonflies' - Sterling Silver Artisan Crafted Stud Earrings from Thailand

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Petite Dragonflies, Sterling Silver Artisan Crafted Stud Earrings from Thailand

Wadarat Supasirisuk

(1675)

£32.95 Wholesale

£32.95

Skyward Wanderers, Dragonfly Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Pichaya

(1256)

£35.01 Wholesale

£35.01

Faith in Change, 14k Gold-Accented Dragonfly-Themed Howlite Button Earrings

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

£35.01 Wholesale

£35.01

Dragonfly Dreams, Silver dangle earrings

Chanatip Na Lampoon

(34)

£37.07 Wholesale

£37.07

Mekong Dragonflies, Handmade Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Wadarat Supasirisuk

(1675)

£37.07 Wholesale

£37.07

Tender Inspiration, Gold-Accented Dragonfly Howlite Stud Earrings in Sweet Hues

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

£37.07 Wholesale

£37.07

Enchanted Dragonfly, Smoky quartz dangle earrings

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

£38.89 Wholesale

~~£46.34~~ £38.89

Free Flying, Handmade 925 Sterling Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings

Suar Dwipayana

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£38.89 Wholesale

~~£46.34~~ £38.89

Passionate Change, Dragonfly Dangle Earrings with Natural Garnet Stones

Made Sugi

(291)

£38.89 Wholesale

~~£46.34~~ £38.89

Harmonious Change, Dragonfly Dangle Earrings with Natural Rainbow Moonstones

Made Sugi

(291)

£38.89 Wholesale

~~£46.34~~ £38.89

Capung Dragonflies, Sterling Silver Dragonfly Shaped Dangle Earrings

Yus Swarmana

(93)

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~~£46.34~~ £38.89

Dragonfly's Spell, 18k Gold-Accented Dragonfly Dangle Earrings from Bali

Made Suyana

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£38.89 Wholesale

~~£46.34~~ £38.89

Dragonfly Crown, Dragonfly Dangle Earrings with Garnet

Made Wardika

(1081)

£38.89 Wholesale

~~£46.34~~ £38.89

Heaven's Dragonfly, Dragonfly-Shaped Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Bali

Griya Suarningsih

(16)

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~~£46.34~~ £38.89

Joyous Dragonfly, Floral and Dragonfly-Themed Yellow Pearl Button Earrings

Desi Antari

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Garden Companions, Sterling Butterfly and Dragonfly Earrings

Flora Maria

(92)

£41.17 Wholesale

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Lagoon Dragonfly, Blue and Green Sterling Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings

Del Toro Family

(21)

£41.19 Wholesale

£41.19

Dragonfly Delight, Handmade Balinese Sterling Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

£42.78 Wholesale

~~£50.46~~ £42.78

Euphoric Flight, Dragonfly-Themed Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Bali

Budiharta

(84)

£42.78 Wholesale

~~£50.46~~ £42.78

Dragonfly's Rest, Dainty Egg Shaped Silver Earrings with Dragonflies

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

£42.78 Wholesale

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Garnet dangle earrings, 'Dragonfly Fantasy in Red' - Garnet and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings of Dragonflies

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Dragonfly Fantasy in Red, Garnet and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings of Dragonflies

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

£44.28 Wholesale

£44.28

Dragonfly Fantasy in Blue, Reconstituted Turquoise and Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

£44.28 Wholesale

£44.28

Dragonfly Idyll, Artisan Crafted Sterling Silver Earrings

Dwi Adiastuti

(45)

£45.11 Wholesale

~~£53.55~~ £45.11

Dragonfly Altar, Handmade 925 Sterling Silver Blue Topaz Dragonfly Earrings

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

£45.11 Wholesale

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Sweet Dragonfly, Cubic Zirconia Dragonfly Dangle Earrings

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

£45.11 Wholesale

~~£53.55~~ £45.11

Dragonfly Altar, Handmade 925 Sterling Silver Peridot Dragonfly Earrings

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

£45.11 Wholesale

~~£53.55~~ £45.11

Sterling silver hoop earrings, 'Dragonfly Reflection' - Sterling Silver Dragonfly Hoop Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Dragonfly Reflection, Sterling Silver Dragonfly Hoop Earrings from Thailand

Lalana

(549)

£46.34 Wholesale

£46.34

Lone Dragonfly, Sterling Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings from Bali

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

£46.66 Wholesale

~~£55.61~~ £46.66

Dragonfly Altar, Handmade 925 Sterling Silver Garnet Dragonfly Earrings

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

£46.66 Wholesale

~~£55.61~~ £46.66

Dragonfly Altar, Handmade 925 Sterling Silver Amethyst Dragonfly Earrings

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

£46.66 Wholesale

~~£55.61~~ £46.66

Romantic Dragonflies, Gold Plated Sterling Silver Dragonfly Earrings from Bali

Asmara Putra

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~~£55.61~~ £46.66

Dragonfly Playground, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Dragonfly Motif

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Harmony Prophecy, Rainbow Moonstone Dragonfly Dangle Earrings from Bali

Made Sugi

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Celestial Dragonfly, Leafy and Dragonfly-Themed Cultured Pearl Button Earrings

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Kintamani Dragonfly in Crimson, Silver Dragonfly Earrings with 1 Carat Garnet Accents

Wayan Asmana

(910)

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Enchanting Dragonfly, Polished Dragonfly-Themed 18k Gold-Plated Drop Earrings

Komang Budiarta

(22)

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Lapis lazuli and chrysocolla stud earrings, 'Night Dragonflies' - Lapis Lazuli and Chrysocolla Dragonfly Earrings from Peru

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Night Dragonflies, Lapis Lazuli and Chrysocolla Dragonfly Earrings from Peru

Bertha Vera

(30)

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Dragonfly Shadows, Polished Dragonfly-Themed Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Griya Suarningsih

(16)

£49.41 Wholesale

~~£55.61~~ £49.41

Wings of Love, Handmade Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Wadarat Supasirisuk

(1675)

£50.46 Wholesale

£50.46

Magic in the Palace, Traditional Dragonfly 6-Carat Amethyst Dangle Earrings

Anya

(29)

£50.56 Wholesale

~~£59.73~~ £50.56

Magic in the Dark, Traditional Dragonfly-Themed 5-Carat Onyx Dangle Earrings

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(29)

£50.56 Wholesale

~~£59.73~~ £50.56

Harmony Fluttering, Dragonfly Dangle Earrings with Natural Rainbow Moonstones

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(1)

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Garden Dance, Handmade Balinese Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Dewa Arimbawa

(792)

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~~£59.73~~ £50.56

Dragonfly Wish, Amethyst and Blue Topaz Dangle Earrings

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

£50.56 Wholesale

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Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Dragonfly Breeze' - Dragonfly Sterling Silver Earrings from Bali

Bestseller

Dragonfly Breeze, Dragonfly Sterling Silver Earrings from Bali

Nyoman Ariawan

(255)

£52.15 Wholesale

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Amethyst dangle earrings, 'Wisdom Prophecy' - Faceted Amethyst Dragonfly Dangle Earrings from Bali

Coming back

Wisdom Prophecy, Faceted Amethyst Dragonfly Dangle Earrings from Bali

Made Sugi

(291)

£52.15 Wholesale

~~£55.61~~ £52.15

Cultured mabe pearl dangle earrings, 'Perching Dragonfly' - Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings with Cultured Mabe Pearl

Coming back

Perching Dragonfly, Silver Dragonfly Dangle Earrings with Cultured Mabe Pearl

Ketut Udiana

(9)

£52.15 Wholesale

~~£55.61~~ £52.15

Island Dragonflies, Handcrafted Balinese 925 Silver and Cultured Pearl Earrings

Putu Putri

(517)

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~~£59.73~~ £53.52

Dragonfly Daydreams, Blue Topaz and Sterling Silver Dragonfly Button Earrings

Ni Wayan Astiti

(147)

£53.52 Wholesale

~~£59.73~~ £53.52

Dragonfly Antics, Handcrafted Amethyst Earrings from Bali

Ni Wayan Astiti

(147)

£54.44 Wholesale

~~£64.89~~ £54.44

Blue Flutter, Artisan Crafted Blue Topaz Dangle Earrings

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

£54.44 Wholesale

~~£64.89~~ £54.44

Dragonfly Days, Amethyst Dragonfly Dangle Earrings from Bali

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

£54.44 Wholesale

~~£64.89~~ £54.44

Flutter to Harmony, Dragonfly-Shaped Resin and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Del Toro Family

(21)

£55.61 Wholesale

£55.61

Faith in Change, 14k Gold-Accented Dragonfly-Themed Howlite Dangle Earrings

Josefina and Cecilia

(9)

£55.61 Wholesale

£55.61

Sterling silver drop earrings, 'Dragonfly Allure' - Indonesian Handmade Sterling Silver Dragonfly Drop Earrings

Bestseller

Dragonfly Allure, Indonesian Handmade Sterling Silver Dragonfly Drop Earrings

Nyoman Rena

(2218)

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~~£64.89~~ £56.37

Dragonfly Duet, Sterling Silver and Amethyst Dragonfly Dangle Earrings

Wayan Neri

(346)

£57.64 Wholesale

~~£64.89~~ £57.64

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'White Dragonfly' - Dragonfly Earrings in Sandblasted Sterling Silver 925

Coming back

White Dragonfly, Dragonfly Earrings in Sandblasted Sterling Silver 925

Desi Antari

(583)

£58.33 Wholesale

~~£69.01~~ £58.33

Amber and amethyst dangle earrings, 'Golden Dragonflies' - Amber and Amethyst Silver Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Bestseller

Golden Dragonflies, Amber and Amethyst Silver Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Flora Maria

(92)

£59.73 Wholesale

£59.73

Dragonfly Duet, Garnet and Sterling Silver Handmade Dragonfly Earrings

Wayan Neri

(346)

£61.76 Wholesale

~~£69.01~~ £61.76

Dragonfly Fun, Artisan Crafted Blue Topaz Earrings

Ni Wayan Astiti

(147)

£70 Wholesale

~~£82.40~~ £70

Sterling silver filigree earrings, 'Poised Dragonflies' - Sterling Silver Filigree Hook Earrings With Copper Accents

Bestseller

Poised Dragonflies, Sterling Silver Filigree Hook Earrings With Copper Accents

Carlos Yauri

(44)

£87.55 Wholesale

£87.55

Frangipani Dragonflies, Balinese Blue Topaz Half Hoop Earrings in Sterling Silver

Kadek Hendra

(693)

£89.45 Wholesale

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Rainbow Flyer, Gold-Accented Dragonfly Dangle Earrings

Kadek Hendra

(693)

£93.34 Wholesale

~~£110.21~~ £93.34

Tinti Kaballu, Sterling Silver Filigree Dragonfly Earrings

Alfredo Inga

(186)

£110.21 Wholesale

£110.21

Magic Dragonfly, Garnet and Agate Dragonfly Hoop Earrings

Francisco Sanchez

(186)

£138.02 Wholesale

£138.02

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