Handmade Beaded Earrings

Handmade beaded earrings have been created since ancient Egyptian eras over five thousand years ago. Beads can be made from glass, precious or semi-precious stones, wood, bone, and plastic. They can be set in high noble metals, such as gold, sterling silver, and platinum, or in lesser metals, such as brass, copper, or base metals.

Glass beads were made by the ancient Egyptians and Japanese. Many of the techniques for making glass beads came from the lamp making industry. Many of the oldest methods of making glass beads are still in use, today.

There are over four thousand classifications of minerals, but less than one hundred of those are classified as precious or semi-precious gems. Examples of precious stones are diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies. Examples of semi-precious stones are amethyst, aquamarine, tourmaline, and onyx. Many precious and semi-precious stones are associated with months of the year, and are called birthstones. Organic materials, such as bone, coral, mother of pearl, obsidian, wood, shell, and amber are also considered gems for jewelry making. The tradition for using these materials in beaded earrings is ancient as well.

Handmade beaded earrings have been popular at many times during history. In Victorian times, the twenties, the sixties, and now, with the popularity of chandelier earrings, beaded earrings are in as much demand as ever. Prices can range from less than one dollar to thousands of dollars, depending upon materials and artists.