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 Glass Bead at NOVICA United Kingdom

Cultured pearl beaded dangle earrings, 'Winter' - Blue-Green Gemstone Cluster Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Winter, Blue-Green Gemstone Cluster Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Earthy Blend, Multicolored Quartz and Jade Waterfall Earrings

Somluck Komolmith

(401)

£67.71 Wholesale

£67.71

Crystalline Drops in Blue, Blue Quartz and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Beaded waterfall earrings, 'Peaks and Valleys in Purple' - Blue and Purple Woven Bead Waterfall Earrings

Bestseller

Peaks and Valleys in Purple, Blue and Purple Woven Bead Waterfall Earrings

Pearls of the Sea Youth Group

(14)

£43.81 Wholesale

£43.81

Ocean Bohemian, 18k Gold-Plated Beaded Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Sareeyakarn

(215)

£40.82 Wholesale

£40.82

Green quartz chandelier earrings, 'Brilliant Meteor' - Green Quartz and Glass Bead Chandelier Style Earrings

Bestseller

Brilliant Meteor, Green Quartz and Glass Bead Chandelier Style Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.89 Wholesale

£24.89

Quartz dangle earrings, 'Pink Bubbles' - Pink Quartz and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings with Copper

Bestseller

Pink Bubbles, Pink Quartz and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings with Copper

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Quartz and onyx dangle earrings, 'Lovely Blend in Black' - Quartz and Onyx Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Lovely Blend in Black, Quartz and Onyx Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Lapis lazuli and cultured pearl dangle earrings, 'Elegant Flora' - Lapis Lazuli and Cultured Pearl Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Elegant Flora, Lapis Lazuli and Cultured Pearl Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.89 Wholesale

£24.89

Blue Halo, Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Nyoman Rena

(2218)

£17.88 Wholesale

~~£22.89~~ £17.88

Crystal and glass beaded dangle earrings, 'The Turquoise Seahorse' - Turquoise Crystal and Glass Beaded Seahorse Dangle Earrings

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The Turquoise Seahorse, Turquoise Crystal and Glass Beaded Seahorse Dangle Earrings

Domingo Reanda

(42)

£30.86 Wholesale

£30.86

Striking Enchantment, Two-Tone Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings from El Salvador

Pearls of the Sea Youth Group

(14)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

Solaris in Purple, Amethyst and Cultured Pearl Cluster Clip-On Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.89 Wholesale

£24.89

Smoky quartz beaded dangle earrings, 'Global Wonder' - Smoky Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Global Wonder, Smoky Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Kai Kittima

(61)

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Citrus Party, Pearl Peridot Quartz Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£20.11 Wholesale

~~£22.89~~ £20.11

Serpentine and quartz beaded dangle earrings, 'Fun Circles in Teal' - Serpentine and Quartz Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Fun Circles in Teal, Serpentine and Quartz Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Caribbean Blue Sparkle, Blue Crystal Dangle Earrings With Sterling Silver Hooks

Domingo Reanda

(42)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

Grey Rainbow, Dangle Earrings With Rows of Grey Beads From Guatemala

Domingo Reanda

(42)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

Blue Huichol Circles, Huichol Glass Beaded Earrings in Blue from Mexico

Adriana Trejo

(140)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Quartz and amethyst beaded dangle earrings, 'Lovely Blend in Purple' - Purple Quartz and Amethyst Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Lovely Blend in Purple, Purple Quartz and Amethyst Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Quartz, glass and resin cluster earrings, 'Purple Perfect' - Purple Quartz Glass and Resin Beaded Cluster Earrings

Bestseller

Purple Perfect, Purple Quartz Glass and Resin Beaded Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Amethyst and cultured pearl dangle earrings, 'Polar Sleep' - Amethyst and Cultured Pearl Cluster Earrings

Bestseller

Polar Sleep, Amethyst and Cultured Pearl Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Elegant Flora, Rose Quartz and Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.89 Wholesale

£24.89

Butterfly Party in Pink, Pink Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings with Butterfly Motif

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Summer Festival, Handmade Quartz and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Purple Paradise, Handcrafted Multi-Gemstone Purple Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Grape Picking, Amethyst and Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Rain of Mystery, Clear Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings with Black Pearls

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Bright Holiday Dreams, Modern Thai Cluster Earrings with Red Quartz and Calcite

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Passion Lotus, Lotus-Shaped Red Crystal and Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings

Domingo Reanda

(42)

£26.88 Wholesale

£26.88

Quartz beaded earrings, 'Luscious Fruit' - Quartz Beaded Earrings with Sterling Silver Hooks

Bestseller

Luscious Fruit, Quartz Beaded Earrings with Sterling Silver Hooks

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Adiagba in Blue, Eco-Friendly Blue Recycled Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings

Tina Quaye

(14)

£39.82 Wholesale

£39.82

Rainbow Flair, colourful 14k Gold-Plated Brass and Glass Beads Hoop Earrings

Adriana Trejo

(140)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

Green Signals, Handcrafted Green Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings

Hands Of Atitlan

(5)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

Pink Champagne, Multi-Gemstone Cluster Dangle Earrings in Pink and Golden

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Floral Temptation in Cerise, Natural Rose Dangle Earrings in Cerise from Thailand

Danai

(358)

£48.79 Wholesale

£48.79

Night Embrace, Black and White Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings from Ghana

Tina Quaye

(14)

£30.86 Wholesale

£30.86

Pearl and carnelian beaded earrings, 'Golden Vines' - Thailand Yellow Pearl Carnelian Quartz Cluster Earrings

Bestseller

Golden Vineyard, Thailand Yellow Pearl Carnelian Quartz Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Amazing Waterfall in Purple, Artisan Crafted Long Beaded Waterfall Earrings in Purple

Siriporn

(180)

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~~£98.58~~ £73.73

Floral Temptation in Yellow, Natural Rose Dangle Earrings in Yellow from Thailand

Danai

(358)

£48.79 Wholesale

£48.79

Quartz beaded dangle earrings, 'Blossom Blush' - Handmade Pink Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Blossom Blush, Handmade Pink Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.89 Wholesale

£24.89

Purple Drop Sparkle, Double Drop Dangle Earrings With Purple Crystal Beads

Domingo Reanda

(42)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

Fire Warrior, Red Recycled Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings with Brass Hooks

Victor Dushie

(46)

£30.86 Wholesale

£30.86

Bouquet, Hand Crafted Multigem Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£26.88 Wholesale

£26.88

Sunshine Maiden, Yellow Recycled Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings from Ghana

Victor Dushie

(46)

£26.88 Wholesale

£26.88

Garnet and carnelian cluster earrings, 'Sweet Tropics' - Handmade Garnet Carnelian Citrine Cluster Earrings

Bestseller

Sweet Tropics, Handmade Garnet Carnelian Citrine Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£20.11 Wholesale

~~£22.89~~ £20.11

Lapis lazuli beaded waterfall earrings, 'True Jewels' - Blue-Toned Lapis Lazuli and Glass Beaded Waterfall Earrings

Bestseller

True Jewels, Blue-Toned Lapis Lazuli and Glass Beaded Waterfall Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.89 Wholesale

£24.89

Pearl and garnet cluster earrings, 'Thai Joy' - Gemstone Beaded Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Thai Joy, Gemstone Beaded Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£20.11 Wholesale

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

Bestseller

Thai Joy, Handmade Thai Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£19.91 Wholesale

£19.91

Onyx chandelier earrings, 'Brilliant Meteor' - Chandelier Style Earrings with Onyx and Glass Beads

Bestseller

Brilliant Meteor, Chandelier Style Earrings with Onyx and Glass Beads

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.89 Wholesale

£24.89

Butterfly Spirit, Butterfly-Themed Rainbow Glass Beaded Waterfall Earrings

Adriana Trejo

(140)

£30.86 Wholesale

£30.86

Moonlight Garden in Blue, Dyed Calcite Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Calcite beaded dangle earrings, 'Red Circles' - Red Calcite and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Red Circles, Red Calcite and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Blue Beaded Rainbow, Square Blue Beaded Dangle Earrings With Silver Hooks

Domingo Reanda

(42)

£26.88 Wholesale

£26.88

Moonlight Garden in Orange, Orange Quartz and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings with Copper

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Multiculturalism, Handcrafted Glass Beaded Salvadoran Woman Dangle Earrings

Pearls of the Sea Youth Group

(14)

£61.73 Wholesale

£61.73

Brilliant Meteor, Purple Beaded Chandelier Earrings with Quartz and Glass

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.89 Wholesale

£24.89

Pearl and aquamarine cluster earrings, 'Blue Love' - Unique Pearl and Aquamarine Cluster Earrings

Bestseller

Blue Love, Unique Pearl and Aquamarine Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£20.90 Wholesale

£20.90

Green Winds, Green Hand-Tatted Dangle Earrings with Glass Beads

Gladys Pichola

(22)

£26.88 Wholesale

£26.88

Tiger's eye and carnelian cluster earrings, 'Thai Autumn' - Hand Crafted Tiger's Eye and Quartz Cluster Earrings

Bestseller

Thai Autumn, Hand Crafted Tiger's Eye and Quartz Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Aquamarine Enchantment, Aquamarine Hand-Tatted Dangle Earrings with Glass Beads

Gladys Pichola

(22)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

Pearl waterfall earrings, 'Whisper' - Pearl Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Whisper, Pearl Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Afternoon Gathering, Eco-Friendly Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings

Elizabeth Alorchie-Apetor

(25)

£20.90 Wholesale

£20.90

Christmas Wishes, Crystal & Glass Beaded Christmas Hat Mittens Dangle Earrings

Mirian Zet

(163)

£30.86 Wholesale

£30.86

Butterfly Party in Black, Black Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings with Butterfly Motif

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Rainbow Boldness, Handcrafted Rainbow Glass Beaded Waterfall Earrings

Adriana Trejo

(140)

£26.88 Wholesale

£26.88

Turquoise Enchantment, Turquoise Hand-Tatted Dangle Earrings with Glass Beads

Gladys Pichola

(22)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

Wise Jewels, Purple-Toned Amethyst and Glass Beaded Waterfall Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Floral Temptation in Pink, Natural Rose Dangle Earrings in Pink from Thailand

Danai

(358)

£48.79 Wholesale

£48.79

Blue Bubbles, Light Blue Quartz and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings with Copper

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Drop Sparkle, Double Drop Crystal Bead Dangle Earrings From Guatemala

Domingo Reanda

(42)

£35.84 Wholesale

£35.84

Exotic Cluster, Thai Jasper and Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£20.11 Wholesale

~~£22.89~~ £20.11

Warm Bliss, Glass Beaded Cluster Earrings with Quartz and Brown Pearls

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Solaris in Orange, Quartz and Cultured Pearl Cluster Clip-On Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.89 Wholesale

£24.89

Quartz and cultured pearl dangle earrings, 'Pink Summer' - Pink Quartz and Pearl Dangle Earrings Crafted in Thailand

Bestseller

Pink Summer, Pink Quartz and Pearl Dangle Earrings Crafted in Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Blue Circles, Blue Calcite and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£20.90 Wholesale

£20.90

Brilliant Cascade, Beaded Red Quartz Earrings on 24k Gold Plated Chains

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Falling Emeralds, Beige and Green Glass Beaded Waterfall Earrings

Adriana Trejo

(140)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Love Garden in Yellow, Heart Shaped Yellow Quartz and Glass Bead Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Onyx and cultured pearl dangle earrings, 'Vivid Dream in Orange' - Black Onyx and Orange Freshwater Pearl Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Vivid Dream in Orange, Black Onyx and Orange Freshwater Pearl Dangle Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Colorful Huichol Circles, Huichol Multicolored Glass Beaded Earrings from Mexico

Adriana Trejo

(140)

£26.88 Wholesale

£26.88

Cultured pearl and aquamarine cluster earrings, 'Clover' - Pearl Aquamarine Quartz Cluster Earrings

Bestseller

Clover, Pearl Aquamarine Quartz Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£22.89 Wholesale

£22.89

Unforgettable Love, Recycled Glass Bead Dangle Earrings by Ghanaian Artisans

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

£17.92 Wholesale

£17.92

Opal stud earrings, 'Bright Ovals' - Oval Opal Stud Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Bright Ovals, Oval Opal Stud Earrings from Thailand

Narinee

(637)

£42.81 Wholesale

£42.81

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