Know Your Earrings - 10 Popular Types of Earrings

Earrings have remained relevant for over 7000 years, and although they have served different purposes and carried different meanings in the past, they are today a fashion statement and accessory widely used by both men and women. The type of earrings you choose usually depends on your choice of outfit, the shape of your face, and the occasion. Here are 10 of the most popular types of earrings today.

1. Studs

Stud earrings or tops are the smallest and simplest type of earrings. Like other types, they come in a variety of designs, and everyone has at least a couple of different pairs in their dresser. They’re easy to style because they are usually minimalistic in size, and can range from really funky designs to elegant feature designs like pearl studs or diamond studs. Office, party, or formal event, studs are a staple in the world of fashion jewelry.

2. Drops

Imagine studs, but instead of placement on the earlobes, they drop slightly below the earlobe, and are usually stationary. Drop earrings typically come as gemstones, beads, pearls, and stones of that sort encapsulated in a high value metal component like gold or silver, but there are also other fun designs for less formal occasions or everyday wear.

3. Dangles

Now imagine drop earrings, but with a little more complexity. Unlike drops, dangles usually drop further down and dangle - I mean, it’s in the name. Some dangle earrings drop as low as 4-5 inches and come with heavier ornaments, allowing the earrings to swing a little more back and forth. A little more glamorous than drops and studs, the design on dangle earrings are more often than not more intricate.

4. Jhumkas

Jhumka earrings are culturally Indian and have been worn by Indian women for generations. They pair superbly well with Indian outfits, and have been adopted by people from around the world to create a fashion fusion when worn with other types of outfits. Like dangle earrings, they are intricate in design and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. However, jhumkas are normally very colorful and shiny as they are fitted with many small pearls and gemstones.

5. Hoops

Ah the sexiest of them all. Hoop earrings are also sometimes known as Bali earrings. If you are like me, when you imagine hoop earrings, you think of the large round gold earrings from the early 2000s and before. You are not wrong, but these days, hoops come in an assortment of shapes and sizes - even angular shapes like hexagons and octagons. However, they are still more commonly round and with different designs built onto the base round shape.

6. Chandeliers

Chandelier earrings are similar to dangling and drop earrings, but are not exactly the same. They are a type of dangling earrings, but with a little more pizazz. Chandelier earrings are designed to look like a chandelier, so a typical pair of chandelier earrings will look like a build up from the top down, with the bottom having the heftiest feature. When shopping for earrings, chandelier, drop, and dangling earrings may fall under the same category.

7. Huggies

Huggies are like much smaller hoop earrings and they’re called huggies because they “hug” the earlobes. They sit tight around the earlobes and have minimal dangle, and have options that don’t require pierced ears.

8. Barbells

Barbell earrings feature two weights on both ends of the earrings, and come in either straight or curved shapes. Barbell earrings sometimes stretch from the ear lobe to the helix, and are also commonly used on the tragus. So, if you are adventurous and like multiple piercings, barbell earrings can be a good option for you.

9. Tassels

Another kind of dangling earrings, tassel earrings showcase numerous dangling threads that come in so many different designs. Some have multiple dangling threads of pearls or gemstones, while others have a larger ornament fitted around the earlobe followed by a bush of colorful threads. The options for tassel earrings range from minimalistic to boho, and the options for all occasions are available.

10. Threader

Threader earrings hang down long from the earlobe with a decorative ornament, pearl, or stone at the bottom. It resembles a thread, but is usually made of a long chain either in gold, silver, white gold, or any other plated or non-plated metal. Threader earrings have grown in popularity in recent times.