From a pair of simple diamond studs to statement chandelier earrings, classic gold hoops, and more, there’s an earring style to suit any look. Our fine jewelry specialists have put together a guide to help you find the ideal earring types to add to your collection. Allow us to share a few of our best tips and considerations, from staying within your budget to finding a pair of earrings that best complements the shape of your face, to help you when purchasing your next pair of diamond earrings.
How Long Have People Been Wearing Earrings?
It’s been over five millennia since both men and women started wearing various types of earrings. From lobes boasting beautiful gold dangle earrings to studs or huggies pierced through the cartilage, various cultures have practiced the ancient tradition of wearing earrings.
Lobe piercing is, in fact, one of the oldest forms of body modification. We can trace the earliest evidence of earrings throughout these regions:
- Persia
- Asia
- Greece
- Egypt
- Rome
When is the Best Time to Wear Earrings?
There are tons of different styles of earrings made in various materials and sizes to suit any occasion, from a casual trip to the dog park to the most formal galas and everywhere in between. It all comes down to the earring styles you choose. You can swap your earrings out to fit the event, or slip on a pair of sparkling diamond stud earrings that will seamlessly transform from day to night with the change of your wardrobe.
Considerations for Choosing Your Next Earring Style
Selecting a pair of diamond stud earrings or elegant hoops requires a bit of thoughtful planning. Sure, you could purchase those stunning dangle earrings calling out to you from the store display, or you could take a moment to understand which earring styles may suit your needs best.
We believe a pair of earrings should accommodate all your wants and needs. From fitting into your budget to complementing your current jewelry collection, some thought should go into your luxury earring purchase. When picking out your next pair of earrings, we urge you to consider:
- The shape of your face
- Your budget
- Type and color of metal
- Precious stones or metal only
- The shape of the gemstones
How Do Earrings Work With Your Wardrobe?
The right pair of bold hoop earrings can accentuate the plunging neckline of your dress. However, it may cause a distraction paired with your power suit in the boardroom. Selecting the ideal type of earrings for every outfit will help complete your desired look.
From huggie diamond earrings to studs, earrings are an accessory that can add a subtle touch of elegance or be the highlight of the wardrobe. Every woman’s jewelry box should have a go-to pair for everyday wear and a pair for a night on the town. As you consider popular earring styles, keep in mind the needs of your wardrobe. The perfect pair can:
- Accentuate your neckline
- Transform the look of your wardrobe from casual to formal
- Help show off your personality
Face Shape and Earrings Styles
Just like selecting your wardrobe, not every type of earrings will be the right fit. While a stunning pair of dangle earrings may look gorgeous on you, huggie earrings may not have the same effect.
Like clothing, different types of earrings can help camouflage or accentuate features. Considering the shape of your face can help you select the ideal size, length, and stone cut for your earrings, bringing out your best features.
Why Choose Earring Styles Based on the Shape of Your Face?
If carefully selected, a pair of stud or hoop earrings can minimize features you wish to hide while enhancing those you wish to draw attention to. When you select a pair of earrings that suit the shape of your face, you can help highlight your high cheekbones or elongate the roundness of your face.
Common face shapes:
- Square
- Narrow
- Oval
- Round
What Types of Earrings Are Best for Your Facial Shape?
The most flattering earrings styles are those with a shape opposite to the shape of your face. It’s a simple little rule of thumb that can have a considerable impact. For instance, you can give your profile an elongated look with long dangle earrings, or soften those sharp features with solitaire stud earrings or dainty huggie diamond earrings.
Best Earring Styles for Square Faces
If you have a square-shaped face, you’ll notice you don’t have narrow areas between your forehead and cheekbones or from your cheekbones to your jawline. In fact, a square shape face will typically have the same width across the forehead, cheeks, and jawline, creating a square appearance.
Choose circular earrings and round stone cuts to give your square features a softer, more delicate appearance. Likewise, round stud earrings, spherical dangle earrings, and circular hoop earrings will help soften your features. Hoop earrings with oversized designs will distract from sharp angles and put the focus on your beautiful earlobe accents.
We highly recommend a pair of IPPOLITA Classico Sterling Silver Wavy Open Oval Dangle Earrings. This earring style is ideal for providing the illusion of an elongated face. You'll love how they soften your naturally squared jawline and draw the eye to your accessories.
Best Earring Types for Narrow Faces
Those with a narrow face shape will experience a less defined forehead and cheek width. A narrow-shaped face emphasizes length. If you wish to minimize this feature, dangle earring styles will be your best friend.
Much like with a square face shape, dangle earrings provide distraction. The appearance of a fuller facial shape can be achieved with shorter dangle earrings with volume. Elongated curves within a pair of dangle earrings highlight the cheekbones while taking the focus off of your elongated facial features.
Marco Bicego’s Lunaria dangle diamond earrings offer an exquisite option. This handmade design is perfect whether worn day or night. The curves and shortened length of this earring type offer softness to the narrow facial structure.
Best Earring Styles for Oval Faces
The oval face shape tends to have a narrow forehead and narrows into a rounded chin. The oval facial structure offers striking, high cheekbones. If you have an oval-shaped face, you are lucky to be able to wear nearly any type of earring you desire!
Whether you prefer elegant dangle earrings or bold, angular hoop earrings, your oval face shape complements them all. In addition, your facial structure has blessed you with versatility and proportions, which allow you to have fun and experiment with every earring style from huggie hoops to studs.
Grace your lobes with the Mikimoto Akoya chain dangle earrings. This type of earring is ideal for wearing with your casual, everyday wear. And when it’s time for an evening out, dress them up with your favorite gown and be amazed at their versatile appeal.
Best Earring Types for Round Faces
A round face tends to have a wider cheekbone area with a narrow forehead and jawline. This facial structure resembles a fuller, circular look. Your ideal earring type is a long teardrop dangle earring, as they help elongate your features.
If you wish to give a slimming effect, linear drop earring styles tend to distract from the roundness of your cheeks. You may want to avoid rounded earrings like hoops and large round solitaire diamond earrings.
We think you’ll love our stunning linear diamond earrings. These beauties add style and texture while elongating your facial structure and pumping up the drama.
Stud Earrings are for Every Occassion
Whether you opt for simple gold balls, sparkling diamonds, colorful gemstones, or classic pearls, your jewelry collection isn't complete without a pair of stud earrings. Studs are a timeless earring style offering versatility and beauty. Stud earrings are ideal for any face shape, wardrobe looks, or occasion. A pair of these types of earrings offers the perfect solution for the woman who:
- Is a minimalist
- Prefers one pair that suits her entire wardrobe
- Wants to go from daytime errands to a fancy dinner with one pair of earrings
How to Select High-Quality Diamond Stud Earrings
We encourage you to learn a bit about selecting a diamond before venturing out for your diamond stud earrings. A pair of high-quality diamond earrings is a worthwhile investment.
There are various factors to consider when shopping for your perfect pair of diamond studs. Perhaps the most important is familiarizing yourself with the GIA's 4Cs of a Diamond.
Understanding the 4Cs of a Diamond
The 4Cs of a diamond will help you select the best quality diamond earrings for your budget. The 4Cs are the industry standard for evaluating a stone’s overall quality and value.
While all four should be considered and work together to define a diamond’s overall performance, quality, and value, understanding them can help you prioritize which Cs are most important to you. The 4Cs of a diamond include:
- Cut
- Clarity
- Color
- Carat weight
Additional Considerations When Shopping for Earrings
Our jewelry experts have added a few tips for your fine jewelry investment. From comfort to security, these helpful considerations will assist you in your earring style decision-making.
- Metal type
- Setting security
- Earring back style
Popular Types of Earring Metals
Selecting your perfect type of earrings also includes considering the precious metal. A few essential considerations are involved when selecting the metal for your new accessories. This extends beyond just the look of your hoop earrings, studs, or huggies. Other than color, considerations for the metal of your new earring styles should include metal allergies, weight, and price.
Our fine jewelry experts have some helpful tips if you know you have a metal sensitivity to gold or other alloy metals. If you have experienced severe metal allergies, you should avoid white, yellow, and rose gold earrings. Platinum offers an ideal alternative for your sensitive earlobes, as it is hypoallergenic. In addition, platinum helps reduce irritation and allergic reactions, allowing you to accessorize comfortably.
Some metals and earring types may not provide the comfort of all-day wear. Heavy metals or bulky earring settings can weigh down your lobes. Some metals will also carry a higher price tag. From the amount of metal in a setting to platinum versus white gold, be mindful of your budget when selecting the metal for your diamond studs, dangles, or huggie earrings.
Ensure Your Earring Setting is Secure
If the earring styles you’re eyeing are adorned with beautiful gemstones, it’s essential to ensure the stones’ security. It would be a serious bummer to remove your diamond earrings before bed only to realize your stone is missing.
Diamond earrings, like a classic pair of solitaire studs, for example, are often designed with prong-style settings, which provide minimal coverage to maximize the appearance of a diamond’s size. While this makes for a striking pair of studs, it also leaves your stones more vulnerable if not properly secured by a reliable jeweler. You may also consider a bezel setting, especially for larger diamond earrings. This earring style can help prevent the loss of a diamond or loose diamonds within a setting.
Various Earring Back Styles
To increase the security and comfort of your fine jewelry purchase, consider the backings of your earrings as you make your selection. Examine each pair’s backings, particularly earring styles with larger stones or those set in heavier metal.
Many high-quality diamond earrings often come with screw backs or locking backs, so you won’t have to worry about them falling out during regular wear. For people who prefer to sleep in their go-to stud earrings, a flat back style is going to be the most comfortable, protecting that delicate skin behind your ear from the pokes of an earring post.
When you’re ready to find your new favorite pair of diamond hoops or discover the gold earring style that flatters your face, you’ll be ready. But when it really comes down to it, go with the type of earrings you love, even if they don’t conform to all of our considerations. Your opinion on the earring types you choose is the one that matters most!
