It's undeniable how classy and timeless gold earrings are. Whether you're adding them to a neutral outfit to make a bold statement or wearing them as your everyday accessory, their elegance and sophistication cement their rightful place as a symbol of classic style.
From simple studs to intricate dangle designs featuring dazzling gemstones, gold earring styles offer looks of luxury and longevity. Let's explore some of our favorite gold earrings to incorporate into every look.
Why Gold Earrings Are a Jewelry Staple
Gold jewelry has long been a symbol of wealth and status. Incorporating gold earring designs into your jewelry rotation is a must because they are:
- Versatile enough to wear with any outfit
- Timeless for years of fashionable wear
- Durable to resist damage and tarnish
- Hypoallergenic for comfort
Types of Gold Used for Fine Jewelry
When shopping for gold earrings, it's essential to understand the various options available. There are three different categories for classifying gold: purity, color, and make-up, and each has its own benefits, budget considerations, and level of care required to maintain.
The purity of gold earring designs refers to the karat, or the amount of pure gold in the material. Three common purity levels of gold are:
- 24K gold: 100% pure
- 18K gold: 75% pure
- 14K gold: 58.3% pure
Is a Higher Karat Better for Gold Earring Styles?
Believe it or not, the higher karat of gold doesn't necessarily mean that it's going to make for better jewelry. Although 24K gold is known for being 100% pure, it's usually too soft to be used in jewelry because it bends, scratches, and breaks more easily.
The two most common purity levels used in gold earring styles are 18K and 14K. A popular choice for jewelry pieces that don't require the same level of durability as more high-use designs is 18K gold. In contrast, the strength and durability of 14K gold make it a popular choice for wedding and engagement rings, since we tend to bump into things with our hands more often.
Gold Colors for Jewelry
In addition to purity, gold earring designs are also available in different colors. While yellow and white gold have remained the primary choices for decades, rose gold has emerged as a popular alternative in recent years, particularly for more modern styles.
Gold earring styles can feature yellow, rose, or white gold, or a combination of the three metals. Each color has its own unique qualities. It's all about finding the perfect choice for your personal look and style.
What Do Gold-Plated, Gold-Filled, and Gold Vermeil Mean?
Understanding the construction of your gold earring styles will help ensure you're buying quality pieces that will last. In addition to solid gold, you'll also see gold-filled, gold-plated, and gold vermeil. These terms identify how gold is applied to a base metal.
Solid gold is the supreme choice, featuring an alloy of pure gold with a selection of other metals added for enhanced durability and strength. Gold-filled refers to a metal, such as jewelers' brass, with a layer of solid gold mechanically attached to the base layer.
The final two options, gold-plated and gold vermeil, offer a more affordable option while still maintaining the look of gold jewelry. Gold-plated involves attaching a thin layer of gold to a base layer, similar to gold-filled, while vermeil features a layer of gold applied over a base of sterling silver.
Timeless Gold Earring Designs
There will always be trends for fashion and accessories, and some earrings are no exception. However, some gold earring designs transcend the styles that ebb and flow in popularity each season, remaining in their rightful places in our list of gold earring styles.
Among the styles that we will always reach for:
- Gold hoop earrings
- Huggie earrings in gold
- Gold solitaire stud earrings
Our Favorite Gold Earring Styles
Whether you're searching for something for everyday wear or a gold earring design to add to a showstopping outfit, you can't go wrong with a classic pair of gold hoop earrings. Offering a huge variety in size, style, and complexity, we always keep a selection of hoop gold earring styles in our jewelry lineup.
For a look that's a bit more understated yet still combines fun with functional design, huggie earrings have become a go-to style over the past several years. Designed as a stud earring with a cuff that wraps around the earlobe like a hug, these gold earring designs can be dressed up with gemstones or intricate styles or remain simple and classic.
Gold solitaire stud earrings are available in hundreds of different styles and will always be one of our favorites. The simplicity of the metal can be paired with a variety of gemstones, pearls, and shapes to elevate the look and feel into something that is both traditional and fun.
Modern Gold Earring Styles
Designers like David Yurman and Roberto Coin have reimagined classic gold earring styles, adding different shapes, metals, and gemstones to create pieces that you'll find yourself reaching for again and again.
Designers have expanded the gold earring design beyond the basics, incorporating different materials, bold shapes, and contemporary lines to achieve the perfect blend of tradition and trendsetting. We've seen the rise of minimalist earrings, gold ear climbers, cuffs, and huggies, geometric shapes, organic-inspired styles, and mixed materials for a modern take on traditional luxury found in gold earring designs.
How to Choose the Right Gold Earring Style for You
Choosing the right pair of gold earrings is about more than classic beauty. Your unique style, features, occasion, and aesthetic all come into play when making the choice that's right for you.
For everyday wear, simple studs, gemstone huggies, or small hoops are a perfect choice that will go with any outfit. More formal occasions can be the perfect opportunity to wear more elaborate styles, such as diamond drop earrings that frame the face or bold designs that make a statement.
Regardless of where you're headed, don't be afraid to use your jewelry to express your unique style. Gold earring designs are a perfect platform for expressing yourself by combining classic looks with new and exciting trends.
