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Earrings Leaf and Tree

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The Village Council

Your answers straight from the village experts

+ - 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.

Featured Reviews

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Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Green Dew'

N

Apr 16, 2021

Love these - the style & color - Perfect!

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These are well made and just beautiful. They are not too heavy for a nice dangle earring. The green color is a little lighter shade on my actual pair than in the photo.

Green Stone Earrings

Dangle Jewellery

Sterling Silver Jewellery

Silver Jewellery

Reconstituted Turquoise Jewellery

Turquoise Jewellery

Leaf and Tree Jewellery

Bollywood Jewellery

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Handblown glass dangle earrings, 'Bamboo Leaf'

Vivien

Nov 4, 2025

Beautiful and Delicate

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These earrings are lovely - clear green glass that catches the light and delicately textured with leaf veins. They are light and comfortable to wear. Shipping time was reasonable considering they came all the way from Thailand and they were well wrapped and packaged, and come in a nice little fabric bag.

Blown Glass Art

Earrings For Long Gown

Earrings For Mom

Glass Blowing Products

Silver Earrings Long

Silver Forest Earrings

Dangle Jewellery

Glass Jewellery

No Stone Jewellery

Handblown Jewellery

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Garnet dangle earrings, 'Radiant Red Leaves'

Inge

Mar 26, 2019

An addition to my garnet jewelry collection

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These are beautiful earrings, sparkling and very comfortable to wear. Shipping was surprisingly fast, considering the distance. Thank you very much, I am pleased!

A Very Special Gift For Her

Dangle Earrings With Posts

Dressy Earrings

Garnet Stone Earrings

Great Gifts For Mom

Special Occasion Earrings

Dangle Jewellery

Sterling Silver Jewellery

Silver Jewellery

Featured Artist

Jose Luis Pariona

Jose Luis Pariona Handcrafted sterling silver and gemstone jewellery

(55)

"After working with my uncle, I still hoped that one day I'd go back to crafting jewellery. I felt as though my heart was saying, 'Come on, Jose, you have to do this!'"

"I was born in 1981 in a small and beautiful village in the Junin department in Peru. It's a small but prosperous city where people work in... read more

The Holiday Catalog

Discover our unique collection of beautiful, handmade objects from around the world, inspired by more than a century of exploration.

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