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 at NOVICA United Kingdom

Mazahua Lady, Silver Mazahua Style Blue Topaz and Cultured Pearl Earrings

Mazahua Family

(39)

£133.73 Wholesale

£133.73

Rosy Hearts, Rhodium Plated Rose Quartz Heart Earrings from Thailand

Michael Krainer

(203)

£131.74 Wholesale

£131.74

Mazahua Lady, Sterling Silver Mazahua Style Garnet Chandelier Earrings

Mazahua Family

(39)

£131.74 Wholesale

£131.74

Jade stud earrings, 'Maya Moons' (set of 3) - Handmade Sterling Silver Jade Stud Earrings (Set of 3)

Maya Moons, Handmade Sterling Silver Jade Stud Earrings (Set of 3)

Zandra Lorena Sajbin

(630)

£128.74 Wholesale

£128.74

Mazahua Lady, Authentic Mazahua Earrings with Peridot and Cultured Pearls

Mazahua Family

(39)

£126.05 Wholesale

~~£140.72~~ £126.05

Dangling Petals, Thai Reconstituted Turquoise and Onyx Dangle Earrings

Michael Krainer

(203)

£124.75 Wholesale

£124.75

Prasiolite and tsavorite dangle earrings, 'Tropical Frog' - Prasiolite and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Tropical Frog, Prasiolite and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Kadek Hendra

(693)

£115.77 Wholesale

£115.77

Jade stud earrings, 'Maya Globes' (set of 3) - Set of 3 Mayan Jade Stud Earrings from Guatemala

Maya Globes, Set of 3 Mayan Jade Stud Earrings from Guatemala

Zandra Lorena Sajbin

(630)

£115.77 Wholesale

£115.77

River Flow, Sterling Silver Handcrafted Earrings with Lapis Lazuli

Gianluca Anzani

(262)

£113.77 Wholesale

£113.77

Droplets of Life, Taxco 925 Sterling Silver Half-Hoop Earrings from Mexico

Mikelo

(7)

£113.77 Wholesale

£113.77

Multi-gem chandelier earrings, 'Classic Radiance' - Indian Multi Gemstone Silver Chandelier Earrings

Bestseller

Classic Radiance, Indian Multi Gemstone Silver Chandelier Earrings

Chintan

(321)

£103.57 Wholesale

~~£115.77~~ £103.57

Rainy Day, Artisan Crafted Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Mazahua Family

(39)

£101.79 Wholesale

£101.79

Mazahua Lovebirds, Artisan Crafted Silver Mazahua Style Sterling Hoop Earrings

Mazahua Family

(39)

£97.80 Wholesale

£97.80

Paisley Peacock, Sterling Silver and Garnet Chandelier Earrings from India

Neeru Goel

(2379)

£97.23 Wholesale

£97.23

Golden Red Leaves, 22k Gold-Plated Leafy Garnet Dangle Earrings from India

Alok Jain

(1879)

£97.23 Wholesale

£97.23

Sterling silver hoop earrings, 'Maguey Goddess' - Handmade Sterling Silver Earrings with Pre-Hispanic Themes

Bestseller

Maguey Goddess, Handmade Sterling Silver Earrings with Pre-Hispanic Themes

Francisco Sanchez

(186)

£95.81 Wholesale

£95.81

Nectar Drops, Gold Plated Amazonite Teardrop Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Michael Krainer

(203)

£88.82 Wholesale

£88.82

Karen Life, Handmade Karen Hill Tribe Silver Drop Earrings

Chanatip Na Lampoon

(34)

£88.82 Wholesale

£88.82

Silver filigree half-hoop earrings, 'Sparkling Crescents' - 950 Silver Filigree Half Hoop Earrings from Peru

Bestseller

Sparkling Crescents, 950 Silver Filigree Half Hoop Earrings from Peru

Alfredo Inga

(186)

£84.83 Wholesale

£84.83

Colonial Fan, Colonial Inspired Mexican Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Gianluca Anzani

(262)

£84.83 Wholesale

£84.83

Brazilian drusy agate dangle earrings, 'Magic' - Brazilian drusy agate dangle earrings

Bestseller

Magic, Brazilian drusy agate dangle earrings

Gemstone Jewelry of Southern Brazil

(97)

£80.55 Wholesale

~~£94.81~~ £80.55

Sterling silver hoop earrings, 'Twist and Shine' - Hoop Earrings Handcrafted of Sterling Silver in Taxco

Bestseller

Twist and Shine, Hoop Earrings Handcrafted of Sterling Silver in Taxco

Guillermo Arregui

(1087)

£79.84 Wholesale

£79.84

Double Braid, Petite Artisan Crafted Sterling Hoop Earrings from Mexico

Guillermo Arregui

(1087)

£79.84 Wholesale

£79.84

Curvy Beauty, 950 Silver Cultured Pearl Drop Earrings from Mexico

Alon Diller

(455)

£79.84 Wholesale

£79.84

Glamorous Sky, Rhodium Plated Amazonite and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Michael Krainer

(203)

£79.84 Wholesale

£79.84

Sparkling Dresses, Sterling Silver Ball Chain Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Angels

(76)

£79.84 Wholesale

£79.84

Karen Sunshine, Handmade Karen Silver Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Chanatip Na Lampoon

(34)

£79.84 Wholesale

£79.84

Hug, Peruvian Chrysocolla Pendant on 925 Sterling Silver Earrings

Leslie Granthon

(78)

£77.84 Wholesale

£77.84

Grand Dame, Thai Artisan Crafted Sterling Silver Chandelier Earrings

Angels

(76)

£77.84 Wholesale

£77.84

Moon Garden, Handmade Sterling Silver and Amethyst Dangle Earrings

Kadek Hendra

(693)

£75.84 Wholesale

£75.84

Radiant Red Leaves, Garnet and Sterling Silver Leafy Dangle Earrings from India

Alok Jain

(1879)

£74.94 Wholesale

£74.94

Cultured pearl and garnet floral earrings, 'Frangipani Trio' - Pearl and Garnet Silver Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Frangipani Trio, Pearl and Garnet Silver Dangle Earrings

Buana

(2373)

£70.85 Wholesale

£70.85

Petal Drops, Amethyst and Sterling Silver Floral Earrings from Bali

Dewi Putera

(350)

£70.85 Wholesale

£70.85

Leafy Spring, Sterling Silver Leaf Motif Hoop Earrings from Thailand

Lalana

(549)

£70.85 Wholesale

£70.85

Lily Mind, Handmade Sterling Silver and Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings

Angels

(76)

£70.85 Wholesale

£70.85

Garnet dangle earrings, 'Sparkling Red Leaves' - Garnet and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from India

Bestseller

Sparkling Red Leaves, Garnet and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from India

Neeru Goel

(2379)

£68.69 Wholesale

£68.69

Earthy Blend, Multicolored Quartz and Jade Waterfall Earrings

Somluck Komolmith

(401)

£66.86 Wholesale

£66.86

Elephant Stack, Gold Vermeil Dangle Earrings

Jantana

(710)

£66.86 Wholesale

£66.86

Multi-gemstone dangle earrings, 'Natural Glamour' - Multi-Gemstone Dangle Earrings Peridot Amethyst from India

Bestseller

Natural Glamour, Multi-Gemstone Dangle Earrings Peridot Amethyst from India

Neeru Goel

(2379)

£62.87 Wholesale

£62.87

Precious Plum, Amethyst and Sterling Silver Stud Earrings from Thailand

Michael Krainer

(203)

£61.87 Wholesale

£61.87

Hanging Jasmine, 925 Sterling Silver Floral Drop Earrings from Thailand

Lalana

(549)

£61.87 Wholesale

£61.87

Ornate Chiang Mai, Elegant Sterling Silver Oval Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Lalana

(549)

£61.87 Wholesale

£61.87

Feathered Leaves, Sterling Silver Filigree Leaf Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Lalana

(549)

£61.87 Wholesale

£61.87

Spiral Drops, Rainbow Moonstone and Sterling Silver Earrings from India

Neeru Goel

(2379)

£61.55 Wholesale

£61.55

Silver dangle earrings, 'Karen Grace' - Handmade Karen Hill Tribe Silver Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Karen Grace, Handmade Karen Hill Tribe Silver Dangle Earrings

Chanatip Na Lampoon

(34)

£59.87 Wholesale

£59.87

Pearl Elegance, Cultured Pearl and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Bali

Yus Swarmana

(93)

£59.87 Wholesale

£59.87

Cultured pearl dangle earrings, 'Bali Sunnrise' - Balinese Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Cultured Pearl

Bali Sunrise, Balinese Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Cultured Pearl

Yus Swarmana

(93)

£59.87 Wholesale

£59.87

Mayan Harmony in Green, Circular Light Green Guatemalan Jade Stud Earrings

Zandra Lorena Sajbin

(630)

£59.87 Wholesale

£59.87

Shining Fans, Karen Silver Fan-Shaped Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Chanatip Na Lampoon

(34)

£59.87 Wholesale

£59.87

Karen Sunflowers, Handmade Karen Silver Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Chanatip Na Lampoon

(34)

£59.87 Wholesale

£59.87

Manggar Flowers, Citrine and Amethyst Spiral Dangle Earrings from Bali

Buana

(2373)

£57.88 Wholesale

£57.88

Mazahua Wildflower, Mazahua Sterling Silver Earrings with Malachite

Mazahua Family

(39)

£57.88 Wholesale

£57.88

Thai Promise, Handmade Hill Tribe Silver Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Chanatip Na Lampoon

(34)

£57.88 Wholesale

£57.88

Cool Green Fan, Contemporary Silver Dangle Earrings with Guatemalan Jade

Ruben and Gilda Perez

(250)

£56.38 Wholesale

~~£70.85~~ £56.38

Abstract Square, Minimalist Silver and Apple Green Jade Artisan Earrings

Ruben and Gilda Perez

(250)

£54.95 Wholesale

~~£68.86~~ £54.95

Pearl and amethyst dangle earrings, 'Guardian Moon' - Amethyst and Pearl Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Guardian Moon, Amethyst and Pearl Dangle Earrings

Buana

(2373)

£52.89 Wholesale

£52.89

Moon Vortex, Cultured Mabe Pearl and Sterling Silver Earrings from Bali

Desi Antari

(583)

£52.89 Wholesale

£52.89

Cloud Serenade, Bridal Pearl Button Earrings

Matta

(498)

£52.89 Wholesale

£52.89

Sparkling Agave, Swarovsky Crystal Dangle Earrings Red and Blue from Mexico

Alejandra Aceves

(48)

£52.89 Wholesale

£52.89

Heart of Vines, Garnet and Sterling Silver Heart Dangle Earrings from Bali

Komang Suastra

(619)

£52.89 Wholesale

£52.89

Ornate Paisleys, Sterling Silver Elegant Paisley Drop Earrings from Thailand

Lalana

(549)

£52.89 Wholesale

£52.89

Petite Halo, Minimalist Sterling Silver Handmade Half Hoop Earrings

Oscar Figueroa Escorcia

(704)

£52.89 Wholesale

£52.89

Green Majesty, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Hoop & Green Jade Disc

Zandra Lorena Sajbin

(630)

£52.89 Wholesale

£52.89

Striped Swan, Thai Silver Drop Earrings in Geometric Shape for Women

Chanatip Na Lampoon

(34)

£52.89 Wholesale

£52.89

Geranium Blossoms, Lapis Lazuli Citrine Floral Dangle Earrings from India

Neeru Goel

(2379)

£52.63 Wholesale

£52.63

Camellia Blossoms, Rainbow Moonstone Garnet Dangle Earrings from India

Neeru Goel

(2379)

£52.63 Wholesale

£52.63

Droplet Trios, Garnet and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from India

Neeru Goel

(2379)

£52.63 Wholesale

£52.63

Morning Glitter in Purple, Amethyst and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from India

Neeru Goel

(2379)

£52.63 Wholesale

£52.63

Sterling silver drop earrings, 'Cloud's Curve' - Sterling Silver Modern Spiral Drop Earrings from Indonesia

Coming back

Cloud's Curve, Sterling Silver Modern Spiral Drop Earrings from Indonesia

Desi Antari

(583)

£50.89 Wholesale

£50.89

Loving Bond, Sterling Silver Modern Circle Dangle Earrings from Indonesia

Desi Antari

(583)

£50.89 Wholesale

£50.89

Ever After, Sterling Silver and Cultured Pearl Drop Earrings

Diah Arini

(329)

£50.89 Wholesale

£50.89

Gleaming Petals, Sterling Silver Rainbow Moonstone Dangle Earrings from India

Shanker

(1425)

£50.85 Wholesale

£50.85

Rainforest Shadows, Sterling Silver Green Jade Pendant Necklace

Zandra Lorena Sajbin

(630)

£49.94 Wholesale

~~£62.87~~ £49.94

Inspiring Spirals, 925 Sterling Silver Spiral Drop Earrings from Indonesia

Desi Antari

(583)

£48.90 Wholesale

£48.90

Gleaming Teardrops in Blue, Blue Topaz Teardrop Dangle Earrings from Indonesia

Wirabhuwana

(433)

£48.90 Wholesale

£48.90

Taxco Waves, Taxco 925 Sterling Silver Drop Earrings from Mexico

Oscar Figueroa Escorcia

(704)

£48.90 Wholesale

£48.90

Puppy Hearts, Sterling Silver Paw Print Dangle Earrings from Bali

Bali Animal Welfare Association

(220)

£48.90 Wholesale

£48.90

Moonlit Dance, Artisan Crafted Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Komang Wijayana

(1458)

£48.90 Wholesale

£48.90

Colorful Roots, Amethyst and Citrine Floral Dangle Earrings from Bali

Buana

(2373)

£48.90 Wholesale

£48.90

Onyx dangle earrings, 'Charming Green' - Hand Made Sterling Silver Green Onyx Dangle Earrings India

Bestseller

Charming Green, Hand Made Sterling Silver Green Onyx Dangle Earrings India

Aparna

(594)

£48.17 Wholesale

£48.17

Radiant Harmony, Garnet and Carnelian Dangle Earrings by Indian Artisans

Neeru Goel

(2379)

£48.17 Wholesale

£48.17

Dazzling Drops, Multi-Gem Citrine Amethyst Garnet and Peridot Earrings

Neeru Goel

(2379)

£47.37 Wholesale

~~£52.89~~ £47.37

Crescent Spirals, Peridot and 925 Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Bali

Komang Suastra

(619)

£47.37 Wholesale

~~£52.89~~ £47.37

Sterling silver drop earrings, 'Silver Butterfly' - Brushed Sterling Silver Butterfly Drop Style Earrings

Bestseller

Silver Butterfly, Brushed Sterling Silver Butterfly Drop Style Earrings

Desi Antari

(583)

£43.91 Wholesale

£43.91

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