Types of Earrings

Earrings are one of the most common jewlery accessories around the world. Worn by both men and women, the use of earrings goes back thousands of years and they have been found to be worn by almost every civilization in the past. Different earrings can have different meanings, what ear you wear one earring in can have significance in some cultures, and a completely different meaning in another.

What type of earrings you wear depends on many things. It can depend on your own personal style, the occasion, your culture, and of course it can depend on the shape of your face. Different styles, sizes and lengths of earrings can accentuate all of your qualities, so it is important to know what style it is you want, and can help transform your look and the way you feel about yourself.

Here is oNecklace’s guide to the different types of earrings.

Studs
The stud earrings is the most common and simple type of earring. Although there are many different styles and sizes of the stud, the premise remains the same. Often a stone or ball, the stud is a simple piece the sits tight on the ear and the bar and back are hidden, giving it the appearance of “floating” on the ear.
Cluster
Cluster earrings are the most similar type to stud earrings. Based on the same premise, these decorative pieces are made up of a number of stones or gems clustered together to create a stylish yet smart look.
Drops
The drop style are also similar to stud earrings, but, as the name suggests, they drop below the ear. The larger style gives more variety in design and more options for different styles. Drop earrings can be single pieces of jewelry that hang vertically from the ear, several pieces together or hoops.

Dangles
Dangles are a more complex version of drop earrings. They also hang down vertically to below the ear, but there is one main difference. While drop earrings are typically stationary, the larger and bulkier dangle earrings are free to move back and forth, and can be any length, giving a much larger scope for design.
Jacket
Jacket earrings are a more modern style of earring. Similar to a stud, the front of the piece is a simple latch or stone to hold the earring in place, while all of the action takes place behind the ear. The main body of a jacket earring sits behind the ear and hangs down, creating a modern and exotic. Flowers tend to be a popular choice for jacket earrings.
Hoop
Hoop earrings, as the name indicates, are large, round earrings shaped like hoops. They can be any style or size, but tend to be no longer than shoulder length. A wire threads through the ear piercing, creating a complete circle. Traditionally circular, modern styles can include triangles and even squares as hoop earrings.
Huggies
Huggies are similar in style to hoops, they are large and circular in shape. The main difference comes in size. Huggies are a lot smaller than hoop earrings and sit tight on the ear, wrapped around the earlobe, giving a smarter look.
Chandeliers
Chandeliers are another style of dangle earrings, hanging below the ears, but their shape extends until it resembles a chandelier. Made up of branches of different segments that come together as one piece, chandelier earrings are often more luxurious and elegant than other styles.
Tear Drop
Tear drop earrings are more a classic style of earrings. Similar to dangle earrings in that they hang low down from the earlobe, a stone or decoration shaped like a tear drop tops off the piece. Tear drop earrings, like chandeliers, are seen as smarter and more than elegant than a simple stud or other styles.
Ear cuffs
Ear cuffs are one of the more exotic and specialized types of earrings. The cuff hugs the ear and can follow the curve all the way to the top, starting from the lobe, or even in the middle of the ear and work their way down.
Barbell
Barbell earrings are similar in shape to free weights. A long bar is connected either end by two studs or balls to hold it into place. Barbell earrings typically stretch from the lobe up to the top of the upper earlobe, and require multiple piercings to fit in place. More exotic barbells earrings take the studs or balls, and add decorations or different styles.
Threader
A threader earring is a simple, long and thin piece that threads through the ear and dangles down on both sides. It can be made more extravagant by adding stones or other decorative pieces to the ends.

As we mentioned before, it is important to know what style of earring you want. It is also important to think about the different types of earrings backs to go with different earrings. For more information about all the different style that can hold your earrings into place, check out our article on the Different Types Of Earring Backs.

Specifically written to help you understand all the different styles and uses in earrings backs, our article can help you find the one that works best for you, both in terms of style and comfort.