If you’re looking for the perfect go-to accessory to enhance your features and complete your outfits then you can’t go wrong with earrings. These traditional jewelry pieces have come a long way with their designs and styles over the years that still brighten your face and complement your personal style. If you’ve been looking to upgrade your jewelry box with a new pair of earrings, here are the 13 types to know so you have any style on hand for your wardrobe.
13 Types of Earring Styles
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Stud Earrings
Probably the most classic pair of earrings are stud earrings. These small earrings are perfect for a simple accessory to wear with everyday styles and or formal occasions for a minimalist piece of jewelry that fit snugly against your earlobe. Even though they’re simple in nature, you can still find styles like halo or cluster stud earrings that feature several beautiful gemstones.
2. Hoop Earrings
Another classic earring style is hoop earrings. Unlike stud earrings, this style dangles below the earlobe and can come in various sizes. There are even some that come in full hoops (where the jewelry is continuous and connects like a circle), or partial loops where the back is open. Small hoops are great for everyday styles whereas you can use the larger sizes for statement jewelry or formal settings.
3. Huggie Earrings – hinged mini hoops that hug the lobe/cartilage.
Huggie earrings are a combination of stud and hoop earrings that don’t have a back clasp. These earrings “hug” your earlobe or cartilage and stay on with their clicker closure. This style is typically small (they look like mini hoops) but it is possible to occasionally find other longer styles with huggie backs.
4. Drop Earrings
Drop earrings feature a decorative piece that hands below the earlobe. Whatever the design is, whether it’s a teardrop or charm, it stays in place and does not move to give the earring a sense of stability.
5. Dangle Earrings
Dangle earrings are similar to drop earrings but instead of being stationary, the decorative piece moves. These earrings are usually longer than drop earrings and the decorative element is mostly embellished threads or chains to increase the elegance of the jewelry.
6. Chandelier Earrings
Chandelier earrings are a beautiful step above dangle earrings. These pieces are multi-tiered, which means they contain more than one decorative element to make it an ornate statement piece perfect to wear for formal occasions.
7. Threader Earrings
Threader earrings are pieces of jewelry made with a long thin chain to push through multiple piercings. If you have more than just your earlobe pierced, a threader earring features an easily adjustable length to wear in your earlobe piercing and others at the same time.
8. Jacket Earrings
Jacket earrings take stud earrings to the next level with their decorative detachable backs. These pieces feature a front stud that sits against your earlobe and a back that contains a design to sit below your earlobe when the piece is clasped.
9. Ear Climbers/Crawlers
Ear climbers or crawlers are earrings that sweep up the ear’s curve for a modern look. You only need to have one piercing (your earlobe), but it creates the illusion that your ear has more.
10. Cluster Earrings
Cluster earrings are beautiful pieces that feature a group of stones cushioned together for a clustered effect. It’s an elegant way to show off a piece with multiple diamonds or gemstones to enhance a pair of stud earrings without needing the design to dangle.
11. Barbell Earrings
For a piece of jewelry that’s industrial in design and bold, barbell earrings are a go-to. This style features a straight bar with removable decorative ends to insert the bar in the cartilage or helix.
12. Captive Bead Rings
Captive bead earrings look like hoop earrings with a removable bead. The hoop on captive bead earrings isn’t a full circle so the bed is what keeps the ring securely in place. This bead can feature diamonds or other gemstones for more appeal, or it can be a plain metal ball. This style of earring is popular for cartilage piercings since you can style it with a more flashy stud earring.
13. Ear Cuffs
Ear cuffs are earrings that work similar to cuff bracelets. They don’t require your ear to be pierced since they wrap around the ear rim instead of relying on a piercing for backing. These earrings are super comfortable to wear and are fun to accentuate dangle earrings or add a simple statement to your jewelry with their diamond inclusions.
5 Types of Earring Backs & Closures
Push Backs (butterfly) & Screw Backs
The most common secure backing and closures for earrings are called push or “butterfly” backs and screw backs. Push backs work by literally pushing the back onto the earring and your piece will stay in place. Screw backs, as the name suggests, twist onto a threaded post and are just as secure as push backs, but take more time to remove.
Leverbacks
Leverbacks are hinged loop closures mostly on dangle earrings. They work by pushing the hoop through the earlobe and a back that comes up to latch onto the hoop to keep the earring in place.
Latch Backs
Latch backs are similar to leverback but work with the post of an earring going through a hole on the hinge. The hinge on a latch back swings up to allow the post to go through the hole for maximum security when your earring is on.
Flat Backs
Flat backs are smooth discs used for cartilage piercings since they provide the most comfort. You push them on just like you would push backs and you never have to worry about your earring sliding out.
Fish Hooks (French wires) – simple curved wires, use rubber stoppers.
Fish hooks, also known as French wires, are curved backs that slip through the earlobe and dangle in place in the back. Sometimes rubber stoppers are used to slide onto the hook as an extra protective backing, but you don’t have to use this piece if you don’t want to.
How to Choose Earrings for Your Piercing
Not every type of earring style works best for all piercings. Here are some guidelines to follow when choosing the right type of earring for your specific piercing.
- Front lobe: The front lobe is the most versatile location for earrings. You can wear anything from studs to hoops, dangles, chandeliers, and more.
- Helix: The helix looks best for smaller earrings like mini hoops, huggies, or flat-back studs. To accentuate the look, wear longer pieces on your lobe for balance.
- Tragus: Dainty flat-back labrets or small captive rings look best for tragus piercings for a chic approach.
- Conch: If your conch is pierced, studs or large hoops that encircle the cartilage are your best options for comfort and style.
- Daith: Clicker hoops or captive bead rings are the best options for daith piercings since they fit this space well and are the most comfortable.
Best Materials for Sensitive Ears
If you have sensitive ears, then you want to choose earring material that will not cause any allergic reactions. The best materials to look for are implant-grade titanium, surgical steel, niobium, and 14k gold or platinum. These materials are made with non-reactive properties that make them more ideal for those who deal with jewelry sensitivities.
Current Trends in Earrings
Looking for earrings that fit current trends? Here are a few popular choices to consider:
- Tiered piercings: Complementing different piercings for a cohesive design seems to be a popular trend that’s focused on balance.
- Mismatched pairs: Mixing your earrings allows you to show off your personal style and create a unique, modern look.
- Sustainable jewelry: Choosing earrings with gemstones that have been ethically sourced and protective of the environment is a leading trend.
- Sculptural metals: Geometric, abstract shapes create a modern, contemporary look.
- Men’s styles: Men earring styles are all about personal expression while blending elements like geometric studs or hoops to keep it minimal.