Earrings: How to Choose Studs, Hoops, Drops and Pearls

Earrings are the jewellery you put on before you leave the house and take off in the evening, so they should suit not only your outfit but your whole day. Between studs, hoops, drops and pearls there is a big difference in comfort, look and what they go with. And with diamond earrings a few extra questions appear: natural or lab-grown, which certificate, which backs.

In this article we go through the four basic types of earrings, show what to look at when buying diamond earrings, compare them in a clear table and add a simple decision aid. If you are buying earrings as a gift, you will find advice for that at the end too.

How to choose earrings: four types and their character

When choosing earrings, do not start with the stone or the metal, but with a question: when will you wear them? What works for the office, for everyday wear or for sport is different from what suits a wedding or a Christmas evening. You will find a full overview of all types in our article Different types of earrings; here we focus on what really matters when you choose.

Stud earrings: reliable every day

Stud earrings are the quiet classic. They sit close to the ear, do not catch on hair or scarves, and you can wear them from morning to night without thinking about them. This is where a diamond shows itself at its best: one stone in a simple setting is a whole outfit.

• Backs: most often a push-back that slides onto the post; with larger stones a screw-back is more secure.
• Stone size: look at the total weight of both stones (in carats) and their diameter – at the same weight, one shape can look bigger than another.
• Who they suit: anyone who wants one pair for everything.

Hoop earrings: from delicate to bold

Hoop earrings come in two forms today. Small, close-fitting hoops (typically around 10 to 15 mm in diameter) look delicate and suit every day; larger hoops are a bolder accessory. The larger the diameter, the more weight on the earlobe, so with big hoops consider a slimmer profile.

Plain gold hoops can be worn almost anywhere; hoops with stones around the circumference are more formal.

Drop earrings: for evenings and bigger occasions

Drop earrings move with you and draw attention to the face and neck. Length decides: shorter drops can be worn in the daytime, long ones belong to the evening. If you wear a statement necklace, let the earrings play the lead that evening – two protagonists in one outfit usually argue.

Pearl earrings: gold earrings with a pearl

Gold earrings with a pearl are a safe choice when you want to look polished and gentle. Pearls differ in origin and shape: freshwater pearls are more affordable and come in many shapes, akoya pearls are known for their regular shape and high lustre, and Tahitian and South Sea pearls tend to be larger and rarer. A pearl is softer than a diamond, though, and does not like perfume, hairspray or acids, so put it on as the last step when you get dressed. You will find a comparison of the two stones in the article Pearl vs diamond: what is the difference.

Diamond earrings: what to check before you buy

You wear diamond earrings right next to your face, and that is where sparkle is noticed most. At Omara you will find only diamonds with an independent GIA or IGI certificate, both natural and lab-grown. The difference between them is mainly origin and price, not appearance: lab-grown diamonds are approximately 60 to 80% cheaper than natural diamonds of comparable quality. For a pair of earrings that means either a larger stone for the same budget, or a saving.

To be honest about the other side too: if you ever sell, you will typically get back approximately 20 to 40% of the purchase price with lab-grown diamonds and approximately 40 to 60% with natural ones. So buy earrings mainly because you love them and will wear them.

Five things to check before you buy

• Certificate: ask about the GIA or IGI certificate and about the quality of both stones in the pair.
• A matched pair: the two stones should be similar in size, colour and clarity – with one stone you would not see a difference, but two side by side give it away.
• Setting: a prong setting lets more light into the stone, a bezel setting protects it better from knocks.
• Backs: important especially with larger and more expensive stones, so a screw-back is not a luxury.
• Metal: if your ears are sensitive, ask for the exact composition of the alloy, for example gold without nickel.

Earrings compared: which type suits what

The table shows how the four types behave in everyday life. It is a rough comparison, not a rule – shorter drop earrings can be more practical than big hoops.

Which earrings to choose: a simple decision aid

With metal, the same rule applies as with other jewellery: yellow gold looks warm and classic, white gold cooler and more modern, rose gold soft and romantic. The purity of the gold (usually 14k or 18k, meaning approximately 58.5% or 75% gold) affects colour, hardness and price. On the ears, where jewellery is under less strain than on the hands, differences in hardness matter less than they do with rings.

Earrings as a gift: how to get it right

Earrings are a popular gift, but they are also personal. A few tips that help:

• Notice what she wears: yellow or white gold, hoops or studs, bigger or smaller. People usually stick to one style.
• Check that her ears are pierced: it sounds obvious, but it is the most common reason a gift cannot be used.
• When unsure, choose simple studs: you do not have to deal with size as you do with a ring, and they go with everything.
• Look at the selection: in the gift earrings section you will find styles suitable as a present.
• Think about timing: if you are aiming for Christmas (24 December), check the current delivery times on the Delivery page and do not leave the order until the last days.

Summary: start with when you will wear them

The best earrings are the ones you actually wear. For every day choose studs or small hoops, for the evening drops, for a soft style gold earrings with a pearl. With diamond earrings, look at the certificate, the match of the pair and the backs, and remember the difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds.