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 Turtle at NOVICA United Kingdom

Featured Sale

Marine Turtles in Green, Green Turtle-Themed Jade Dangle Earrings form Guatemala

Zandra Lorena Sajbin

(630)

£42.71 Wholesale

~~£54.06~~ £42.71
Radiant Turtles, Sterling Silver Turtle Earrings with Enticing Shell Design

Made Sudiari

(198)

£63.07 Wholesale

£63.07
Bestseller

Across the Sea, Sterling Silver Turtle Shaped Earrings with Blue Topaz

Asri Paramita

(17)

£52.06 Wholesale

£52.06
Bestseller

Turtle's Day Out, Turtle-Themed Citrine Dangle Earrings

Putu Gede Darmawan

(374)

£63.07 Wholesale

£63.07
Bestseller

Baby Turtles, Sterling Silver Sea Turtle Dangle Earrings from Bali

Wayan Asmana

(910)

£36.04 Wholesale

£36.04
Bestseller

Tiny Turtles, Thai Artisan Handcrafted Sterling Silver Turtle Earrings

Lalana

(549)

£27.02 Wholesale

£27.02
Bestseller

Turtle Pond, Reconstituted Turquoise Turtle Earrings in Sterling Silver

Nyoman Rena

(2218)

£52.06 Wholesale

£52.06
Apple Green Sea Turtle, Sterling Silver Apple Green Jade Sea Turtle Dangle Earrings

Zandra Lorena Sajbin

(630)

£40.04 Wholesale

£40.04
Tiny Turtle, Sterling Silver Tiny Turtle Post Earrings from Mexico

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

£18.87 Wholesale

~~£23.02~~ £18.87
Sea Turtle Bond, Handcrafted Bone Sea Turtle Dangle Earrings from Bali

Made Wardika

(1081)

£27.02 Wholesale

£27.02
Sea Celebration, Sterling Silver Stud Earrings with Sea Life Motif (Set of 3)

Wadarat Supasirisuk

(1675)

£45.05 Wholesale

£45.05
Fab Turtles, Handcrafted Gold-Accented Dangle Earrings

Asri Paramita

(17)

£67.08 Wholesale

£67.08
Baby Sea Turtle, Sterling Silver Button Earrings

Wadarat Supasirisuk

(1675)

£34.03 Wholesale

£34.03
Bestseller

Kurma Turtles, Handmade Garnet and Bone Turtle Dangle Earrings from Bali

Made Wardika

(1081)

£40.04 Wholesale

£40.04
Turtle Glam, Handblown Glass Turtle Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Panapai

(35)

£18.01 Wholesale

£18.01
Dark Green Marine Turtle, Sterling Silver Dark Green Jade Sea Turtle Button Earrings

Zandra Lorena Sajbin

(630)

£58.06 Wholesale

£58.06
Serangan Turtles, Gold Plated Sterling Silver Turtle Stud Earrings

Asmara Putra

(237)

£49.05 Wholesale

£49.05
Heaven's Yellow Tortoise, Sterling Silver Citrine Tortoise Button Earrings

Anya

(29)

£49.05 Wholesale

£49.05
Apple Green Marine Turtles, Handcrafted Sterling Silver Sea Turtle Jade Earrings

Zandra Lorena Sajbin

(630)

£70.08 Wholesale

£70.08
Friends Among the Waves, Bone Dangle Earrings with Dolphin and Tortoise Theme

Made Wardika

(1081)

£27.02 Wholesale

£27.02
Traditional Shells, Sterling Silver Turtle Dangle Earrings with Oxidized Finish

Pichaya

(1256)

£43.04 Wholesale

£43.04
Heaven's Purple Tortoise, Sterling Silver Amethyst Tortoise Button Earrings

Anya

(29)

£49.05 Wholesale

£49.05
Featured Sale

Marine Turtles, Lilac jade dangle earrings

Zandra Lorena Sajbin

(630)

£35.60 Wholesale

~~£45.05~~ £35.60
Bestseller

Sweet Shells, Artisan Made Sterling Silver Turtle Stud Earrings from Bali

Giri Tasmana

(80)

£40.04 Wholesale

£40.04
Bestseller

Tiny Purple Sage, Faceted Amethyst Tortoise Dangle Earrings Crafted in Bali

Anya

(29)

£36.04 Wholesale

£36.04
Frog and Turtle, Frog and Turtle Sterling Silver Ear Cuffs from Thailand

Wadarat Supasirisuk

(1675)

£13.61 Wholesale

~~£16.01~~ £13.61
Sea Turtle Bliss, Sterling Silver Sea Turtle Stud Earrings from Thailand

Wadarat Supasirisuk

(1675)

£27.02 Wholesale

£27.02
Heaven's White Tortoise, Sterling Silver Rainbow Moonstone Tortoise Button Earrings

Anya

(29)

£49.05 Wholesale

£49.05
Heaven's Black Tortoise, Sterling Silver Onyx Tortoise Button Earrings

Anya

(29)

£49.05 Wholesale

£49.05
Heaven's Green Tortoise, Sterling Silver Peridot Tortoise Button Earrings

Anya

(29)

£44.05 Wholesale

~~£49.05~~ £44.05
Tiny Red Sage, Natural One-Carat Garnet Tortoise Dangle Earrings

Anya

(29)

£36.04 Wholesale

£36.04
Turtle Essence, Amethyst Turtle Link Bracelet from India

Narayannii

(693)

£36.04 Wholesale

£36.04
Heaven's Tortoise, Sterling Silver Blue Topaz Tortoise Button Earrings

Anya

(29)

£49.05 Wholesale

£49.05
Turtle Wisdom, Moonstone dangle earrings

Shanker

(1425)

£80.09 Wholesale

£80.09
Walking Tortoise, Sterling Silver & Amethyst Petite Turtle Earrings From Bali

Yus Swarmana

(93)

£36.04 Wholesale

£36.04
Bestseller

Turtle Passion, Handblown Red Glass Turtle Dangle Earrings from Thailand

Panapai

(35)

£18.01 Wholesale

£18.01
Turtle Trails, Handmade Sterling Silver and Onyx Dangle Earrings

Sukartini

(570)

£36.04 Wholesale

£36.04
Thai Turtles, Cute 950 Silver Turtle Stud Earrings

Sasithon Saisuk

(142)

£27.02 Wholesale

£27.02
Swimming Sea Turtle, Cultured Pearl and Sterling Silver Turtle Earrings

Made Mustika

(49)

£40.04 Wholesale

£40.04
Turtle Trek, Handmade Sterling Earrings with Peridot and Amber

Flora Maria

(92)

£40.04 Wholesale

~~£45.05~~ £40.04
Jepun Turtles, Blue Topaz and Peridot Turtle Earrings from Bali

Buana

(2373)

£76.09 Wholesale

~~£85.10~~ £76.09
Little Turtles, Sterling Silver Button Earrings Turtle Shape from Thailand

Wadarat Supasirisuk

(1675)

£32.03 Wholesale

£32.03
Crystal Turtle, Artisan Jewellery Earrings Sterling Silver and Iolite

Shanker

(1425)

£40.04 Wholesale

£40.04
Shell Game in Purple, Handmade Amethyst Dangle Earrings with Turtle Motif

Asri Paramita

(17)

£54.06 Wholesale

£54.06
Marine Glory, Set of 2 Sea Life Sterling Silver Turtle and Crab Earrings

Jael Serna

(13)

£45.05 Wholesale

£45.05

Featured Reviews

Handblown glass dangle earrings, 'Turtle Glam'

Lori

Feb 17, 2025

Turtle Glam earrings are fab glam!

These glass turtles are precious, vibrant colors and exquisite detail make them one of my most unique pairs of earrings purchased from Novica

Beautiful Color Jewelry

Blown Glass Art

Delicate

Glass Blowing Products

Sparkle

Sterling silver button earrings, 'Little Turtles'

Amanda

Sep 28, 2017

So Cute!

These are cute and very detailed. I have gotten several compliments while wearing them. They are very small, which I like, but if you like larger earrings they might not be for you. They would be a good gift for someone who likes smaller earrings and for a young girl as well.

Turtle Jewelry Pieces

Button Jewellery

Sterling Silver Jewellery

Silver Jewellery

No Stone Jewellery

Animal Themed Jewellery

Sterling silver stud earrings, 'Sweet Shells'

Barbara

Jan 9, 2019

Beautifully detailed

Purchased as a gift for a friend. They are just beautiful and very detailed. They came in a fabric bag with a personal thank you note from the artist. That was such a nice touch!

Stud Jewellery

Jewellery