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 Leaf and Tree at NOVICA United Kingdom

Moonstone earrings, 'Shining Cloud' - Sterling Silver Earrings Moonstone Earrings Artisan jewellery

Bestseller

Shining Cloud, Sterling Silver Earrings Moonstone Earrings Artisan jewellery

Alok Jain

(1879)

£50.66 Wholesale

~~£54.02~~ £50.66

Agate dangle earrings, 'Vine' - Leaf Motif Agate Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Bestseller

Vine, Leaf Motif Agate Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Diana Solis

(50)

£49.01 Wholesale

£49.01

Gold-plated cultured pearl dangle earrings, 'Bearing Fruit' - Gold-Plated Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Bearing Fruit, Gold-Plated Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings

Lalana

(549)

£67.02 Wholesale

£67.02

Multi-gemstone dangle earrings, 'Energy Tree' - Multi-Gemstone Chakra Tree Dangle Earrings from India

Bestseller

Energy Tree, Multi-Gemstone Chakra Tree Dangle Earrings from India

Chintan

(321)

£47.99 Wholesale

~~£54.02~~ £47.99

Maya Leaf, Carved Jade Leaf Earrings

Zandra Lorena Sajbin

(630)

£50.61 Wholesale

~~£64.02~~ £50.61

Forest Leaves, Sterling Silver Leaf-Motif Drop Earrings

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

£58.02 Wholesale

£58.02

Pumpkin shell dangle earrings, 'Enchanted Copse' - Leafy Sterling Silver and Pumpkin Shell Earrings from Peru

Bestseller

Enchanted Copse, Leafy Sterling Silver and Pumpkin Shell Earrings from Peru

Jose Luis Pariona

(55)

£54.02 Wholesale

£54.02

Gold plated sterling silver filigree dangle earrings, 'Mystery of the Forest' - 24k Gold Plated Sterling Silver Filigree Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Mystery of the Forest, 24k Gold Plated Sterling Silver Filigree Dangle Earrings

Paola Siza

(52)

£94.04 Wholesale

£94.04

Nest of Lilies, Unique Pearl and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Buana

(2373)

£54.02 Wholesale

£54.02

Elegant Azure, 4 Carat Blue Topaz Earrings

Alok Jain

(1879)

£41.49 Wholesale

~~£49.01~~ £41.49

Natural leaf dangle earrings, 'Turquoise Leaf Drops' - Andean Handmade Sterling Silver Turquoise Leaf Earrings

Bestseller

Turquoise Leaf Drops, Andean Handmade Sterling Silver Turquoise Leaf Earrings

Jose Luis Pariona

(55)

£45.01 Wholesale

£45.01

Garnet and peridot dangle earrings, 'Parrot Song' - Garnet and Peridot Parrot Dangle Earrings from India

Bestseller

Parrot Song, Garnet and Peridot Parrot Dangle Earrings from India

Chintan

(321)

£39.86 Wholesale

~~£45.01~~ £39.86

Natural leaf dangle earrings, 'Leaf Drops in Aqua' - Drop-Shaped Natural Leaf Dangle Earrings in Aqua from Peru

Bestseller

Leaf Drops in Aqua, Drop-Shaped Natural Leaf Dangle Earrings in Aqua from Peru

Jose Luis Pariona

(55)

£45.01 Wholesale

£45.01

Leaf Silhouette, Handmade Leaf Earrings in Sterling Silver from Bali

Lalana

(549)

£49.01 Wholesale

£49.01

Cute Leaves, Leaf-Themed Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Bali

Desi Antari

(583)

£36.01 Wholesale

£36.01

Hanging Ferns, Leaf Motif Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Achara

(772)

£45.01 Wholesale

£45.01

Silver flower earrings, 'Cherry Tree' - Artisan Crafted Taxco Silver Hook Earrings from Mexico

Bestseller

Cherry Tree, Artisan Crafted Taxco Silver Hook Earrings from Mexico

Alon Diller

(455)

£81.03 Wholesale

£81.03

Sterling silver stud earrings, 'Adorable Leaves' - Leafy Sterling Silver Stud Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Adorable Leaves, Leafy Sterling Silver Stud Earrings from Thailand

Lalana

(549)

£23 Wholesale

£23

Sterling silver ear climber earrings, 'Coconut Leaf' - Ear Climber Earrings in Sterling Silver

Bestseller

Coconut Leaf, Ear Climber Earrings in Sterling Silver

Ni Wayan Astiti

(147)

£43.01 Wholesale

£43.01

Sterling silver stud earrings, 'Branches Above' - Sterling Silver Tree-Shaped Stud Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Branches Above, Sterling Silver Tree-Shaped Stud Earrings from Thailand

Lalana

(549)

£23 Wholesale

£23

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Tears from Nature' - Drop-Shaped Leafy Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Tears from Nature, Drop-Shaped Leafy Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Roy Nilson

(132)

£171.07 Wholesale

£171.07

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Voluptuous Leaf' - Ornate Leaf Theme Balinese Sterling Silver Artisan Earrings

Bestseller

Voluptuous Leaf, Ornate Leaf Theme Balinese Sterling Silver Artisan Earrings

Komang Suastra

(619)

£58.02 Wholesale

£58.02

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Textured Leaf' - Leaf-shaped Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Costa Rica

Bestseller

Textured Leaf, Leaf-shaped Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Costa Rica

Guisselle Mora

(49)

£72.02 Wholesale

£72.02

Garnet dangle earrings, 'Crimson Passion' - Handcrafted Garnet and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Crimson Passion, Handcrafted Garnet and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Alok Jain

(1879)

£59.25 Wholesale

~~£63.02~~ £59.25

Bali Palm Trees, Palm Tree Earrings on 925 Silver Hooks Crafted by Hand

Andi Rachmansyah

(90)

£31.01 Wholesale

£31.01

Magical Innocence, Leafy and Floral Dangle Earrings with Cultured Pearls

Kadek Hendra

(693)

£72.02 Wholesale

£72.02

Heart of Frangipani, Sterling Silver Heart Dangle Earrings with Frangipani Motifs

Ari Gunawan

(246)

£52.02 Wholesale

£52.02

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Spring Green Hydrangea' - Sterling Silver and Green Leaf Dangle Earrings from Peru

Bestseller

Spring Green Hydrangea, Sterling Silver and Green Leaf Dangle Earrings from Peru

Jose Luis Pariona

(55)

£49.01 Wholesale

£49.01

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Airy Leaves' - Sterling Silver Leaves and Berries Dangle Earrings from Peru

Bestseller

Airy Leaves, Sterling Silver Leaves and Berries Dangle Earrings from Peru

Luis Banda

(92)

£36.01 Wholesale

£36.01

New Luck, Clover-Themed Round Natural Green Agate Dangle Earrings

Nancy Quispe

(23)

£63.02 Wholesale

£63.02

Gold-accented dangle earrings, 'Natural Law' - Gold-Accented Dangle Earrings with Leaf Motif

Bestseller

Natural Law, Gold-Accented Dangle Earrings with Leaf Motif

Lalana

(549)

£52.02 Wholesale

£52.02

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Ethereal Foliage' - Leafy Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings Crafted in Bali

Bestseller

Ethereal Foliage, Leafy Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings Crafted in Bali

Nyoman Ariawan

(255)

£63.02 Wholesale

£63.02

Tree Bells, Tree-Themed Sterling Silver Chandelier Earrings from Bali

Ari Gunawan

(246)

£54.02 Wholesale

£54.02

Sterling silver half-hoop earrings, 'Natural Melody' - Sterling Silver Windy Half-Hoop Earrings from Bali

Bestseller

Natural Melody, Sterling Silver Windy Half-Hoop Earrings from Bali

Dewa Arimbawa

(792)

£36.01 Wholesale

£36.01

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Leaf Chimes' - Hand Crafted Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Leaf Chimes, Hand Crafted Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Wadarat Supasirisuk

(1675)

£41.01 Wholesale

£41.01

Bountiful Garden, Nature-Themed Onyx Half-Hoop Earrings

Dewi Putera

(350)

£58.02 Wholesale

£58.02

Cultured pearl dangle earrings, 'Iridescent Pears' - Dangle Earrings with Cultured Pearls and 925 Silver Leaves

Bestseller

Iridescent Pears, Dangle Earrings with Cultured Pearls and 925 Silver Leaves

Flora Maria

(92)

£103.04 Wholesale

£103.04

Peridot dangle earrings, 'Fortune Night' - Moon-Shaped Leafy Dangle Earrings with Peridot Jewels

Bestseller

Fortune Night, Moon-Shaped Leafy Dangle Earrings with Peridot Jewels

Ayu Ary

(249)

£31.73 Wholesale

~~£36.01~~ £31.73

Intricate Leaves, Silver Filigree Leaf Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Marcela Ovalle

(1)

£48.80 Wholesale

~~£55.02~~ £48.80

Gold-accented dangle earrings, 'Gold Enchanted Leaves' - Sterling Silver Leaf Dangle Earrings with 18k Gold Accents

Bestseller

Gold Enchanted Leaves, Sterling Silver Leaf Dangle Earrings with 18k Gold Accents

Lalana

(549)

£58.02 Wholesale

£58.02

Cultured pearl dangle earrings, 'Blue Gala' - Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Blue Cultured Pearls

Bestseller

Blue Gala, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Blue Cultured Pearls

Dewi Putera

(350)

£54.02 Wholesale

£54.02

Lady Elegance, Polished Classic Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings from Bali

Sukartini

(570)

£43.01 Wholesale

£43.01

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Plum Hydrangea' - Sterling Silver and Purple Leaf Dangle Earrings from Peru

Bestseller

Plum Hydrangea, Sterling Silver and Purple Leaf Dangle Earrings from Peru

Jose Luis Pariona

(55)

£45.01 Wholesale

£45.01

Silver Olives, Sterling Silver Half-Hoop Olive Earrings Crafted in Thailand

Lalana

(549)

£63.02 Wholesale

£63.02

Gold plated chalcedony dangle earrings, 'Garden Glory' - Handmade 22k Gold Plated Chalcedony Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Garden Glory, Handmade 22k Gold Plated Chalcedony Dangle Earrings

Vivek Nathany

(171)

£42.08 Wholesale

~~£45.01~~ £42.08

Verdure Victory, Polished Leafy Ginkgo-Shaped 18k Gold-Plated Dangle Earrings

Teresa Gonzalez

(11)

£160.07 Wholesale

£160.07

Leaves of Bamboo in White, Cultured Pearl and Sterling Silver Button Earrings

Kadek Wijanegara

(337)

£54.02 Wholesale

£54.02

Leaf Drops in Blue, Drop-Shaped Natural Leaf Dangle Earrings in Blue fro Peru

Jose Luis Pariona

(55)

£43.01 Wholesale

£43.01

Catrina Splendor, Taxco 925 Silver Day of the Dead Catrina Dangle Earrings

Roy Nilson

(132)

£225.10 Wholesale

£225.10

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Enchanted Circle' - Round Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Leaf Motifs

Bestseller

Enchanted Circle, Round Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Leaf Motifs

Dewa Arimbawa

(792)

£45.01 Wholesale

£45.01

Leafy Desire, Leaf-Shaped Sterling Silver and Amethyst Dangle Earrings

Rituu Agarwal

(1071)

£22.28 Wholesale

~~£27~~ £22.28

Nature's Gem in Blue, Blue Hydrangea Leaf Earrings

Jose Luis Pariona

(55)

£52.02 Wholesale

£52.02

Fiery Avatar, Fair Trade Sterling Silver Carnelian Earrings

Neeru Goel

(2379)

£45.33 Wholesale

~~£54.02~~ £45.33

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Red Hydrangea' - Sterling Silver and Red Leaf Dangle Earrings from Peru

Bestseller

Red Hydrangea, Sterling Silver and Red Leaf Dangle Earrings from Peru

Jose Luis Pariona

(55)

£45.01 Wholesale

£45.01

Dazzling Dew, Handcrafted Sterling Silver Blue Topaz Earring Floral Jewelr

Alok Jain

(1879)

£91.43 Wholesale

~~£108.04~~ £91.43

Gleaming Paddy, Handmade Onyx and Sterling Silver Earrings from Indonesia

Wayan Asmana

(910)

£76.03 Wholesale

£76.03

Wooden Slice, Modern Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings with Wood Details

Wayan Trisna

(6)

£34.01 Wholesale

£34.01

Tribal Forest, Hand Crafted Sterling Silver Floral Dangle Earrings

Pakaon Sojintarit

(205)

£61.02 Wholesale

£61.02

Clover Windows, Small Stud Earrings in Brushed Sterling Silver

Jantana

(710)

£27 Wholesale

£27

Leaf Curl, Sterling Silver Leaf-Motif Drop Earrings

Dewa Arimbawa

(792)

£45.01 Wholesale

£45.01

Nature Leaf, Leafy Rhodium Plated Amethyst Stud Earrings from India

Alok Jain

(1879)

£29.96 Wholesale

~~£36.01~~ £29.96

Cypress Leaf, Handcrafted Silver 925 Cypress Leaf Earrings from Bali

Desi Antari

(583)

£36.01 Wholesale

£36.01

Forest Style, Leaf-Shaped Onyx Dangle Earrings from India

Shubhra Singh

(205)

£37.65 Wholesale

~~£45.01~~ £37.65

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Leaf Cluster' - Handmade Thai Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Leaf Cluster, Handmade Thai Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Pichaya

(1256)

£34.01 Wholesale

£34.01

Tropical Taste, Cultured Pearl Drop Earrings with Leaf Motif

Lalana

(549)

£40.01 Wholesale

£40.01

Gleaming Stars, Sterling Silver Star-Motif Drop Earrings

Dewa Arimbawa

(792)

£36.01 Wholesale

£36.01

Fruit Tree, Hand Crafted Cultured Pearl Drop Earrings

Lalana

(549)

£40.01 Wholesale

£40.01

Blue Dew, Amazonite on Sterling Silver Earrings Peruvian Jewellery

Maria Huerta

(55)

£115.05 Wholesale

£115.05

Dark Green Clover, Jade dangle earrings

Zandra Lorena Sajbin

(630)

£28.91 Wholesale

~~£37.01~~ £28.91

Between the Vines, Grape Leaf Motif Earrings

Roy Nilson

(132)

£72.02 Wholesale

£72.02

Garnet and gold-accented natural rose petal dangle earrings, 'Red Rose of Autumn' - Garnet and Gold Plated Natural Rose Petal Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Red Rose of Autumn, Garnet and Gold Plated Natural Rose Petal Dangle Earrings

Danai

(358)

£43.01 Wholesale

£43.01

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Orange Hydrangea' - Sterling Silver and Orange Leaf Dangle Earrings from Peru

Bestseller

Orange Hydrangea, Sterling Silver and Orange Leaf Dangle Earrings from Peru

Jose Luis Pariona

(55)

£49.01 Wholesale

£49.01

Tropical Crimson, 18k Gold-Plated Tropical Dangle Earrings with Garnet Stones

Dewa Nyoman Oka

(16)

£31.01 Wholesale

£31.01

Copper dangle earrings, 'Melissa' - Reclaimed Copper Hand Painted Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Bestseller

Melissa, Reclaimed Copper Hand Painted Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Rosy and Daniel

(110)

£31.01 Wholesale

£31.01

Cultured pearl dangle earrings, 'White Forest' - Indonesian Sterling Silver Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

White Forest, Indonesian Sterling Silver Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings

Nyoman Rena

(2218)

£34.01 Wholesale

£34.01

Blissful Vine in Blue, Sterling Silver Blue Chalcedony Vine Dangle Earrings

Alok Jain

(1879)

£33.81 Wholesale

~~£40.01~~ £33.81

Tropical Cascade, Leaf Motif Sodalite Dangle Earrings

Juana Ramirez

(19)

£103.04 Wholesale

£103.04

Tiny Sages, Hand-Painted Elephant-Themed Ceramic Dangle Earrings

Ritu Thapar

(133)

£14.60 Wholesale

~~£18~~ £14.60

Purity Vines, Rhodium Plated Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings from India

Alok Jain

(1879)

£41.49 Wholesale

~~£49.01~~ £41.49

Fern Flair, Sterling Silver Fern Leaf Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Jantana

(710)

£31.01 Wholesale

£31.01

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Fuchsia Hydrangea' - Sterling Silver and Fuchsia Leaf Dangle Earrings from Peru

Bestseller

Fuchsia Hydrangea, Sterling Silver and Fuchsia Leaf Dangle Earrings from Peru

Jose Luis Pariona

(55)

£49.01 Wholesale

£49.01

Growing Gardens, Handmade Sterling Silver Drop Earrings

Dewa Arimbawa

(792)

£36.01 Wholesale

£36.01

Victorious Clover, Clover-Shaped 18k Gold-Accented Dangle Earrings from Bali

Made Sriasih

(179)

£54.02 Wholesale

£54.02

Leafy Traditions, Artisan Crafted Carnelian and Leather Dangle Earrings

Chaloemphon

(375)

£23 Wholesale

£23

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