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 Nature at NOVICA United Kingdom

Falling Leaves, Sterling Silver Leafy Plant Stud Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£12.93 Wholesale

~~£15.91~~ £12.93

Dancing Bear, Sterling Silver Bear Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£12.93 Wholesale

~~£15.91~~ £12.93

Sterling silver and copper stud earrings, 'Lucky Ladybug' - Sterling Silver and Copper Ladybug Stud Earrings

Bestseller

Lucky Ladybug, Sterling Silver and Copper Ladybug Stud Earrings

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£16.18 Wholesale

~~£19.89~~ £16.18

Precious Porcine, Sterling Silver Pig Stud Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£16.18 Wholesale

~~£19.89~~ £16.18

Precious Puppy, Sterling Silver Puppy Dog Stud Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£16.18 Wholesale

~~£19.89~~ £16.18

Teardrop Wrap, Sterling Silver Wrap Teardrop Stud Earrings from Thailand

Lalana

(549)

£17.90 Wholesale

£17.90

Desert Bird, Wood Beaded Earrings on Brass Hooks from Ghana

Elizabeth Alorchie-Apetor

(25)

£17.90 Wholesale

£17.90

Queen Bee, Handmade Queen Bee Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£19.04 Wholesale

~~£22.88~~ £19.04

Dancing Cow, Sterling Silver Cow Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£19.04 Wholesale

~~£22.88~~ £19.04

Dancing Panda, Sterling Silver Panda Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£19.04 Wholesale

~~£22.88~~ £19.04

Dancing Dog, Sterling Silver Dog Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£19.04 Wholesale

~~£22.88~~ £19.04

Dancing Sheep, Sterling Silver Sheep Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£19.04 Wholesale

~~£22.88~~ £19.04

Dancing Cat, Handmade Sterling Silver Cat Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£19.04 Wholesale

~~£22.88~~ £19.04

Dancing Piggy, Sterling Silver Pig Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£19.04 Wholesale

~~£22.88~~ £19.04

Dancing Ram, Sterling Silver Ram Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£19.04 Wholesale

~~£22.88~~ £19.04

Cute Koala, Cute Koala Sterling Silver Stud Earrings

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£19.04 Wholesale

~~£22.88~~ £19.04

Bumblebee, Sterling Silver Bumblebee Stud Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£19.04 Wholesale

~~£22.88~~ £19.04

Sterling silver stud earrings, 'Bunny Bliss'

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£19.04 Wholesale

~~£22.88~~ £19.04

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Dancing Owl' - Sterling Silver Owl Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Dancing Wise Owl, Sterling Silver Owl Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£19.04 Wholesale

~~£22.88~~ £19.04

Tiny Turtle, Sterling Silver Tiny Turtle Post Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£19.04 Wholesale

~~£22.88~~ £19.04

Wild Flowers, Ebony flower earrings

Rituu Agarwal

(1071)

£19.08 Wholesale

~~£22.88~~ £19.08

Feline Silhouette, Handcrafted Sterling Silver Cat Drop Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£20.56 Wholesale

~~£24.87~~ £20.56

Hand-carved dangle earrings, 'Snowy Plumeria' - Hand-Carved Plumeria Bloom-Shaped Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Snowy Plumeria, Hand-Carved Plumeria Bloom-Shaped Dangle Earrings

Ayu Ary

(249)

£20.89 Wholesale

£20.89

Peace, African Handmade Eco Friendly Wood Bead Earrings

Elizabeth Alorchie-Apetor

(25)

£20.89 Wholesale

£20.89

Snowy Blooming Margot, Hand-Carved Fresh Margot Bloom-Shaped Dangle Earrings

Ayu Ary

(249)

£20.89 Wholesale

£20.89

Cactus Party, Gold-Plated Cactus Drop Earrings from Bali

Wayan Karang

(9)

£20.89 Wholesale

£20.89

Flower Wrap, Sterling Silver Flower Stud Earrings Crafted in Thailand

Lalana

(549)

£20.89 Wholesale

£20.89

Sterling silver stud earrings, 'Garden Trio' (set of 3) - Nature-Themed Sterling Silver Stud Earrings (Set of 3)

Garden Trio, Nature-Themed Sterling Silver Stud Earrings (Set of 3)

Shivani Choudhary

(232)

£22.12 Wholesale

~~£26.86~~ £22.12

Sterling silver stud earrings, 'Lotus and Tree' (pair) - Floral and Tree Themed Stud Earrings (Pair)

Lotus and Tree, Floral and Tree Themed Stud Earrings (Pair)

Shivani Choudhary

(232)

£22.12 Wholesale

~~£26.86~~ £22.12

Sterling silver and copper dangle earrings, 'Koala Love' - Sterling Silver and Copper Koala Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Bestseller

Koala Love, Sterling Silver and Copper Koala Dangle Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£22.85 Wholesale

~~£27.85~~ £22.85

Bone dangle earrings, 'Falcon Feather' - Handcrafted Carved Bone Falcon Feather Theme Earrings

Bestseller

Falcon Feather, Handcrafted Carved Bone Falcon Feather Theme Earrings

Ayu Ary

(249)

£22.88 Wholesale

£22.88

Shiny Starfish, Polished Starfish-Shaped Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Griya Suarningsih

(16)

£22.88 Wholesale

£22.88

Muse, Artisan Crafted Wood and Recycled Beads Earrings

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

£22.88 Wholesale

£22.88

Dzidudu in Dark Brown, Recycled Beads and Wood Dangle Earrings

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

£22.88 Wholesale

£22.88

Orchid petal dangle earrings, 'Forever Orchid in Blue' - Blue Orchid Petal Earrings from Thailand

Bestseller

Forever Orchid in Blue, Blue Orchid Petal Earrings from Thailand

Danai

(358)

£24.87 Wholesale

£24.87

Hand-carved dangle earrings, 'Snowy Sunflower' - Hand-Carved Sunflower-Shaped Dangle Earrings

Bestseller

Snowy Sunflower, Hand-Carved Sunflower-Shaped Dangle Earrings

Ayu Ary

(249)

£24.87 Wholesale

£24.87

Sterling silver stud earrings, 'Gleaming Mushrooms' - Mushroom-Shaped Sterling Silver Stud Earrings from Bali

Bestseller

Gleaming Mushrooms, Mushroom-Shaped Sterling Silver Stud Earrings from Bali

Anya

(29)

£24.87 Wholesale

£24.87

Summer Petals, Red and Green Floral Quartz and Serpentine Clip-On Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.87 Wholesale

£24.87

Brown Feather, Feather-Shaped Earrings Crafted from Leather, Bone and Wood

Chaloemphon

(375)

£24.87 Wholesale

£24.87

Wood beaded earrings, 'Nubueke in Brown' - African Wood Beaded Earrings Artisan Crafted Jewellery

Nubueke, African Wood Beaded Earrings Artisan Crafted Jewellery

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

£24.87 Wholesale

£24.87

Blessed, Wood Beaded Dangle Earrings Artisan Crafted Jewellery

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

£24.87 Wholesale

£24.87

Amethyst dangle earrings, 'Forest Wisdom' - Leaf-Shaped Dangle Earrings with Amethyst Cabochons

Bestseller

Forest Wisdom, Leaf-Shaped Dangle Earrings with Amethyst Cabochons

Ayu Ary

(249)

£24.87 Wholesale

£24.87

Pearly Fins, Ocean-Themed Sterling Silver and Cream Pearl Drop Earrings

Shivani Choudhary

(232)

£25.93 Wholesale

~~£30.84~~ £25.93

Silver stud earrings, 'First Rose' - Thai Karen Hill Tribe Silver Flower Stud Earrings

Bestseller

First Rose, Thai Karen Hill Tribe Silver Flower Stud Earrings

Pakaon Sojintarit

(205)

£26.86 Wholesale

£26.86

Triumph in the Forest, High-Polished 22k Gold-Plated Leafy Stud Earrings

Yustiana Dewi

(1)

£26.86 Wholesale

£26.86

Mushrooms from Heaven, Brushed-Satin Finished Mushroom-Shaped Button Earrings

Sri Widiani

(4)

£26.86 Wholesale

£26.86

Snowy Margot, Hand-Carved Margot Bloom-Shaped Dangle Earrings

Ayu Ary

(249)

£26.86 Wholesale

£26.86

Snowy Hibiscus, Hand-Carved Hibiscus Bloom-Shaped Dangle Earrings

Ayu Ary

(249)

£26.86 Wholesale

£26.86

Delightful Nature in Alabaster, Handmade Circular Natural Fiber Earrings in Alabaster

Cristina Hernandez

(5)

£26.86 Wholesale

£26.86

Kangaroo Girl, Polished Kangaroo-Shaped Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Griya Suarningsih

(16)

£26.86 Wholesale

£26.86

Little Deer, Whimsical Deer-Themed Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Griya Suarningsih

(16)

£26.86 Wholesale

£26.86

Roots of Vitality in Green, Tree-Themed Green Crystal and Glass Beaded Dangle Earrings

Domingo Reanda

(42)

£26.86 Wholesale

£26.86

Delicate Cobwebs, Sterling Silver Handcrafted Spider Web Dangle Earrings

Jantana

(710)

£26.86 Wholesale

£26.86

Fertility Seeds, Sterling Silver Seed Drop Earrings from Bali

Dewa Arimbawa

(792)

£26.86 Wholesale

£26.86

Gold-accented pine needle dangle earrings, 'Forest Flower Spiral' - Floral Earrings in 14k Gold Plate

Forest Spiral, Floral Earrings in 14k Gold Plate

Laura Villalvazo

(1)

£28.71 Wholesale

~~£36.81~~ £28.71

Sylvan Essence, Sterling Silver Wood-Shaped Drop Earrings from Bali

Yustiana Dewi

(1)

£30.84 Wholesale

£30.84

Aseda Ye, Hand Crafted Natural Soapstone Beaded Hook Earrings

Rachel Armah

(45)

£30.84 Wholesale

£30.84

Nkabom, Artisan Crafted Natural Soapstone Beaded Hook Earrings

Rachel Armah

(45)

£30.84 Wholesale

£30.84

Medieval Nature, Handmade Coconut Shell Dangle Earrings

Nonyem Abena Ibeneme

(13)

£30.84 Wholesale

£30.84

Medieval Bells, Coconut shell and bamboo dangle earrings

Nonyem Abena Ibeneme

(13)

£30.84 Wholesale

£30.84

Rainbow's Memory, Polished Rainbow-Themed Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Griya Suarningsih

(16)

£30.84 Wholesale

£30.84

Saguaro Scene, Handcrafted Cactus Scene Wood Frame Dangle Earrings

Ana Luisa Zavala

(11)

£33.82 Wholesale

£33.82

Ayeyi Nka Boafo, Artisan Crafted Soapstone and Cat's Eye Beaded Earrings

Rachel Armah

(45)

£33.82 Wholesale

£33.82

Coastal Portal, Shore-Themed Textured Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Griya Suarningsih

(16)

£33.82 Wholesale

£33.82

Red Heart of Nature, Cultured Pearl and Natural Leaf Dangle Earrings in Red

Danai

(358)

£33.82 Wholesale

£33.82

Gifts of the Earth in Chili, Natural Fiber Dangle Earrings in Chili and Alabaster

Cristina Hernandez

(5)

£33.82 Wholesale

£33.82

Stunning Nature in Sap Green, Natural Leaf Dangle Earrings in Sap Green from Thailand

Danai

(358)

£33.82 Wholesale

£33.82

Forest Medusa, Handmade Crystal and Pine Needle Earrings

Laura Villalvazo

(1)

£34.46 Wholesale

~~£43.78~~ £34.46

Stunning Nature in Wisteria, Natural Leaf Dangle Earrings in Wisteria from Thailand

Danai

(358)

£35.82 Wholesale

£35.82

Loving Tree, Handmade Sterling Silver Tree Earrings from Indonesia

Suar Dwipayana

(180)

£35.82 Wholesale

£35.82

Spring Moons, Sterling Silver Moon Dangle Earrings with Natural Flowers

Del Toro Family

(21)

£35.82 Wholesale

£35.82

Stunning Nature in Sunrise, Natural Leaf Dangle Earrings in Sunrise from Thailand

Danai

(358)

£35.82 Wholesale

£35.82

Triple Leaf, Triple Leaf Sterling Silver Drop Earrings

Desi Antari

(583)

£35.82 Wholesale

£35.82

Reef Portal, Marine-Themed Textured Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Griya Suarningsih

(16)

£35.82 Wholesale

£35.82

Triumphant Foliage, 22k Gold-Plated Leaf-Shaped Button Earrings from Bali

Yustiana Dewi

(1)

£35.82 Wholesale

£35.82

Sylvan Victory, 22k Gold-Plated Wood-Shaped Drop Earrings from Bali

Yustiana Dewi

(1)

£35.82 Wholesale

£35.82

Descending Fronds, Leafy Sterling Silver Drop Earrings from Thailand

Lalana

(549)

£35.82 Wholesale

£35.82

Bali Kayonan, Polished Kayonan-Shaped Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Budiharta

(84)

£35.82 Wholesale

£35.82

Butterfly in Forest, Oxidized Butterfly-Shaped Sterling Silver Button Earrings

Ego Agusnata

£35.82 Wholesale

£35.82

Karen Spring, Handcrafted Karen Silver Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Pakaon Sojintarit

(205)

£35.82 Wholesale

£35.82

Nature's Path, Sterling Silver Leaf Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Samart Takham

(205)

£35.82 Wholesale

£35.82

Morning Chorus, Nature-Themed Round Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Griya Suarningsih

(16)

£35.82 Wholesale

£35.82

Pearly Mushroom, Sterling Silver Mushroom Button Earrings with Grey Pearls

Wayan Trisna

(6)

£35.82 Wholesale

£35.82

Abstracto, Central American Sterling Silver and Resin Button Earrings

Rosario Ramirez

(25)

£35.82 Wholesale

£35.82

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