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Earrings Bead
418 items
The Village Council
Your answers straight from the village experts
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.
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.
Featured Reviews
Tracy
May 9, 2021
Love these earrings!
These work perfectly with a dress or a pair of jeans and T-shirt. They are very light so they are not pulling at my ears.
Leslie
Jul 1, 2025
Rich, warm colors
These earrings are exactly as pictured, in their blend of warm colors and subtle pop, and also are lightweight and comfortable to wear. They are my fourth pair of Nareerat's designs, which I love, and all of them are favorites of mine. Just looking at her work on the website makes me feel happy, even if I can't buy all of it! Clearly, she loves gemstones and knows how to make them speak.
Linda
Sep 29, 2024
Fantastic Earrings
These earrings are wonderful! I absolutely LOVE them. They come in several other colors, so naturally I had to buy several.
Featured Artist
Nareerat Hand crafted gemstone and pearl jewelry
"To create my jewelry, I like to sit in the middle of the materials – colorful stones and pearls in many shapes. Nature is a reference for my designs."
Update (August 2021)"Working with you has made me realize that my inner passion is in creatively crafting jewelry. I enjoy creating new designs.... read more
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