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 Iolite at NOVICA United Kingdom

Vineyard, Pearl and iolite earrings

Rituu Agarwal

(1071)

£23.99 Wholesale

£23.99
Admiration Bloom, Floral Openwork Sterling Silver Iolite Button Earrings

Sarote Lochotinunt

(339)

£33.99 Wholesale

£33.99
Blossoming Blue, Sterling Silver Floral Dangle Earrings with Iolite Stone

Kriti Seth

£35.99 Wholesale

£35.99
Floral Glam, Floral Cultured Pearl and Iolite Dangle Earrings

Vivek Nathany

(171)

£35.99 Wholesale

£35.99
Winter Chill, Hand Crafted Agate and Iolite Dangle Earrings from India

Narayannii

(693)

£35.99 Wholesale

£35.99
Flowers, Hand Crafted Floral Sterling Silver Button Multigem Earrings

Shanker

(1425)

£39.98 Wholesale

~~£44.99~~ £39.98
Rejoice, Iolite Artisan Crafted Earrings from India

Rituu Agarwal

(1071)

£39.99 Wholesale

£39.99
Crystal Turtle, Artisan Jewellery Earrings Sterling Silver and Iolite

Shanker

(1425)

£39.99 Wholesale

£39.99
Violet Sun, Chakra Themed Sterling Silver and Iolite Dangle Earrings

Wayan Trisna

(6)

£44.99 Wholesale

£44.99
Circular Stars, Iolite and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from India

Parul

(359)

£44.99 Wholesale

£44.99
Paradise in Bloom, Floral Earrings in Sterling Silver and Natural Gemstones

Shanker

(1425)

£47.98 Wholesale

~~£53.99~~ £47.98
Bestseller

Chakra Honor Wheel, Chakra Wheel Multiple Gemstones on Sterling Silver Earrings

Sarote Lochotinunt

(339)

£47.98 Wholesale

~~£53.99~~ £47.98
Hamsa Chakra, Multi-Gemstone Hamsa Chakra Dangle Earrings from India

Alok Jain

(1879)

£47.98 Wholesale

~~£53.99~~ £47.98
Coming back

Dreamy Rings, Circular Gold Plated Iolite Dangle Earrings from India

Vivek Nathany

(171)

£53.99 Wholesale

£53.99
Eternal Essence in White, Silver Cultured Pearl Citrine and Iolite Dangle Earrings

Shanker

(1425)

£53.99 Wholesale

£53.99
Marquise's Dream, Marquise-Shaped Amethyst and Iolite Dangle Earrings

Neeru Goel

(2379)

£53.99 Wholesale

£53.99
Featured Sale

Rainbow Wisteria, Silver Earrings Handcrafted with 6 Kinds of Gems

Shubhra Singh

(205)

£54.37 Wholesale

~~£60.99~~ £54.37
Bestseller

Promise, Iolite and Peridot Earrings Sterling Silver Jewellery

Bhavesh

(1335)

£55.97 Wholesale

~~£62.99~~ £55.97
colourful Floral Dream, Sterling Silver Floral Dangle Earrings with Multiple Gems

Narayannii

(693)

£55.97 Wholesale

~~£62.99~~ £55.97
Chakra Flowers, Multi-Gemstone Chakra Dangle Earrings from India

Alok Jain

(1879)

£55.97 Wholesale

~~£62.99~~ £55.97
Rainbow Halo, Silver Earrings Handcrafted with Cultured Pearl and Gems

Shubhra Singh

(205)

£55.97 Wholesale

~~£62.99~~ £55.97
Chakra Honor, Multi Gemstones on Sterling Silver Bar Chakra Earrings

Sarote Lochotinunt

(339)

£59.97 Wholesale

~~£66.99~~ £59.97
Dazzling Glare, Leafy Multi-Gemstone Dangle Earrings with Five-Carat Jewels

Neeru Goel

(2379)

£60.99 Wholesale

£60.99
Harmonious Nature, Multi Gemstone Sterling Silver Earrings Chakra Jewellery

Alok Jain

(1879)

£62.37 Wholesale

~~£69.99~~ £62.37
Rainbow Bright, Carnelian and Blue Topaz Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Alok Jain

(1879)

£62.37 Wholesale

~~£69.99~~ £62.37
Wellness, Multi-Gemstone Chakra Dangle Earrings from India

Alok Jain

(1879)

£63.97 Wholesale

~~£71.99~~ £63.97
Bestseller

Ocean Daisy, Iolite Earrings Hand Crafted Sterling Silver Button Jewellery

Shanker

(1425)

£69.99 Wholesale

£69.99
Floral Hearts, Multi Gemstone and Sterling Silver Floral Heart Earrings

Alok Jain

(1879)

£71.97 Wholesale

~~£79.99~~ £71.97
Bestseller

Lunar Allure, Iolite and Cultured Pearl Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Neeru Goel

(2379)

£71.99 Wholesale

£71.99
Cornflowers, Floral Sterling Silver Button Iolite Earrings from India

Shanker

(1425)

£71.99 Wholesale

£71.99
Indian Sonnet, Citrine and blue topaz chandelier earrings

Bhavesh

(1335)

£79.99 Wholesale

£79.99
Coming back

Divine Connection, Multi-Gemstone Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Wayan Trisna

(6)

£87.96 Wholesale

~~£97.99~~ £87.96
Contemporary Glam, Modern Sterling Silver Circle Dangle Earrings with Iolite

Jenny Setiawan

(47)

£88.99 Wholesale

£88.99
Chakra Stones, Gold-Plated Multi-Gemstone Chakra Dangle Earrings

Alok Jain

(1879)

£103.96 Wholesale

~~£115.99~~ £103.96
One for All, Set of 7 Gemstone and Sterling Silver Stud Earrings

Bhavya Jain

(422)

£123.95 Wholesale

~~£137.99~~ £123.95

Featured Reviews

Gold plated cultured pearl and iolite dangle earrings, 'Floral Glam'

KCK

Feb 1, 2021

Unique

Fine craftsmanship, love the pearl and Joliet combination with the matte gold. Unique design, Vivek makes an Joliet necklace that will go with these earrings that I also purchased; makes a nice set.

Dangle Jewellery

Gold Plated Jewellery

Gold Jewellery

Sterling Silver Jewellery

PEARL Cultured Jewellery

PEARL Freshwater Jewellery

Earrings

Gemstone stud earrings, 'One for All' (set of 7)

Marlene

Jan 19, 2023

A beautiful set of earrings.

I love the set of earrings I ordered from Novica.They where beautifully made and where shipped to me quickly. I look forward to the many times I will wear them

Iolite waterfall earrings, 'Rejoice'

Cheryl

Apr 14, 2018

beautiful Iolite waterfall earrings

These earrings are very well made and very pretty. Iolite is one of the stones I do not own and the earrings are beautiful and match my necklace. Excellent quality.