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 Silver Plated at NOVICA United Kingdom

Bestseller

Shining Moon in Blue, Thai Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

£30.99 Wholesale

£30.99
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Sweet Tropics, Handmade Garnet Carnelian Citrine Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£21.98 Wholesale

~~£24.99~~ £21.98
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Brilliant Meteor, Green Quartz and Glass Bead Chandelier Style Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.99 Wholesale

£24.99
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Cool Beauty, Handmade Pearl Aquamarine Blue Calcite Earrings Thailand

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.99 Wholesale

£24.99
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Golden Vineyard, Thailand Yellow Pearl Carnelian Quartz Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.43 Wholesale

£24.43
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Spicy Peach, Handcrafted Pearl Carnelian Prehnite Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.43 Wholesale

£24.43
Alam Bali, Openwork Silver Plated Drop Earrings from Bali

Komang Budiarta

(22)

£44.99 Wholesale

£44.99
Turning Leaves, Handcrafted Pearl Carnelian Citrine Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.43 Wholesale

£24.43
Brilliant Meteor, Purple Beaded Chandelier Earrings with Quartz and Glass

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.99 Wholesale

£24.99
Brilliant Meteor, Chandelier Style Earrings with Onyx and Glass Beads

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.99 Wholesale

£24.99
Bestseller

Verdant Vineyard, Thai Pearl Green Agate Quartz Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.43 Wholesale

£24.43
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Shining Moon in Green, Hand Made Jade and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

£30.99 Wholesale

£30.99
Shining Moon in Pink, Hand Crafted Rose Quartz and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

£28.49 Wholesale

~~£31.99~~ £28.49
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Brilliant Meteor, Beaded Chandelier Earrings with Blue Quartz and Glass Beads

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.99 Wholesale

£24.99
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Clover, Pearl Aquamarine Quartz Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.99 Wholesale

£24.99
Heavenly Gift, Handmade Gemstone Cluster Earrings

Sasina

(409)

£24.99 Wholesale

£24.99
Bestseller

Sweet Lavender, Handcrafted Pearl Amethyst Quartz Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.99 Wholesale

£24.99
Rosy Vineyard, Beaded Pearl Carnelian and Quartz Handmade Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.43 Wholesale

£24.43
Citrus Party, Pearl Peridot Quartz Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£21.98 Wholesale

~~£24.99~~ £21.98
Bestseller

Blue Sonata, Handmade Cultured Pearl and Lapis Lazuli Cluster Earrings

Sasina

(409)

£26.99 Wholesale

£26.99
Fern Love, Silver Plated Natural Leaf Earrings

Danai

(358)

£35.99 Wholesale

£35.99
Pink Rose, Handcrafted Thai Quartz Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.99 Wholesale

£24.99
Pretty in Purple, Amethyst and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

£28.49 Wholesale

~~£31.99~~ £28.49
Bright Passion, Pearl and Citrine Dangle Earrings

Anusara

(316)

£31.75 Wholesale

~~£35.99~~ £31.75
Luxurious Pura, Sterling Silver Plated Arrow Drop Earrings from Bali

Komang Budiarta

(22)

£44.99 Wholesale

£44.99
Lightning, Modern Handcrafted Onyx Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

£22.99 Wholesale

£22.99
Elegant Coin, Cultured Freshwater Pearl Openwork Coin Earrings

Srimuang

(50)

£44.99 Wholesale

£44.99
Bestseller

Lemongrass, Handcrafted Pearl Carnelian Quartz Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£24.43 Wholesale

£24.43
Lightning, Modern Handcrafted Blue Calcite Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

£26.99 Wholesale

£26.99
Alam Pride, Curl Motif Sterling Silver Plated Drop Earrings from Bali

Komang Budiarta

(22)

£24.99 Wholesale

£24.99
Tropical Garden, Quartz Carnelian Citrine Cluster Earrings

Nareerat

(1853)

£21.98 Wholesale

~~£24.99~~ £21.98
Alam Happiness, Round Sterling Silver Plated Drop Earrings from Bali

Komang Budiarta

(22)

£24.99 Wholesale

£24.99
Alam Kintamani, Curved Silver Plated Drop Earrings from Bali

Komang Budiarta

(22)

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£30.99
Tropical Sea, Unique Turquoise Colored Handcrafted Earrings with Carnelian

Nareerat

(1853)

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£24.43
Purple Pink Glam, Amethyst and Quartz Beaded Earrings

Anusara

(316)

£35.99 Wholesale

£35.99
Glamorous Pura, Pointed Sterling Silver Plated Drop Earrings from Bali

Komang Budiarta

(22)

£44.99 Wholesale

£44.99
Shining Moon in Purple, Hand Crafted Fluorite and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

£28.49 Wholesale

~~£31.99~~ £28.49
Mysterious Maiden, Black Polyester Mesh and Silver-Plated Half-Hoop Earrings

Ayu Widiani

(15)

£30.99 Wholesale

£30.99
Lightning, Modern Handcrafted Garnet Dangle Earrings

Matta

(498)

£21.16 Wholesale

~~£23.99~~ £21.16
Coming back

Resourceful, Modern Flat Sterling Silver Plated Brass Hoop Earrings

Hariyono

(59)

£62.99 Wholesale

£62.99

Featured Reviews

Natural leaf silver plated drop earrings, 'Fern Love'

Dhiviya

Nov 29, 2020

Amazing!

This is a beautiful piece and so well crafted. It is very light weight and natural. It is my go-to piece for any occasion - be it work, dinner or just even running errands. It makes me feel special and pretty. Thank you so much @Danai for this wonderful piece!

Fern Jewelry

Dangle Jewellery

Natural Flower or Leaf Jewellery

Sterling Silver Jewellery

Silver Jewellery

Silver Plated Jewellery

No Stone Jewellery

Leaf and Tree Jewellery

Jewellery

Cultured pearl and aquamarine cluster earrings, 'Cool Beauty'

Nan

Mar 6, 2018

A gift for my daughter in law

My daughter in law just received this today. I got her the matching necklace too. She called to say they are gorgeous. Thank you again Novica for always have the nicest things.

Artisan Earrings

Beautiful

Beautiful Colorful Unique

Lovely Mix Of Colors And Stones

March Birthstone Earrings

Turquoise