Different Types of Earrings

Stud Earrings

Stud Earrings are a small type of earring that, as the name suggests, is shaped like a stud. It’s one of the most common kinds of earrings in use today and can go well with many different fashion styles due to its simplicity.

Drop Earrings

Drop earrings hang below the ear and are similar to stud earrings in the sense that they’re incredibly versatile. Depending on the look, you can either go for a simple pair of pearls or more intricate metal carvings.

Cluster Earrings

Arguably one of the most elaborate earrings on this list, cluster earrings are perfect for when you really want to make a statement. The compact shape of the earring makes every tightly-packed gem and stone more beautiful. Cluster earrings usually come in studs, though you may find the occasionally dropped variant.

Dangle Earrings

Many people confuse about the drop and dangle earrings, and it isn’t difficult to see why. Dangle earrings are entirely different from their drop counterparts, though. Dangle earrings focus more on volume and looseness, with many popular dangle earrings sporting small metal chains. Other variants of the dangle earring include those with hoops suspended by metal.

Hoop Earrings

Hoop earrings are a simple yet fashionable way to add more volume to your look. Though many hoop earrings feature simple and minimal designs, you can also find more elaborate earrings with patterns and jewelry if you’re looking for something a little bolder. Hoop earrings are very commonly associated with a “chic” look.

Huggie Earrings

Huggie earrings get their name from the way they wrap around your ears. This can be done in pretty much any area of the ear, though you’ll commonly find them either on the bottom or side of the earlobe. Depending on the thickness, you can also have multiple Huggies per ear to spice things up even more.

Chandelier Earrings

Chandelier earrings are exactly how they sound – mini-chandeliers that hang below your ears. They are similar to dangle earrings, though chandelier earrings have that distinct shape that earns them their name. They’re incredibly classy, and as such, are best used during formal events.

Threader Earrings

Threader earrings are a popular new type of earring that pierce through both sides of the earlobe, some times more than once. These earrings usually sport a minimal style, with little to no jewelry and thin metal. The length of these earrings can vary, though they usually never go past an ear’s length.

Jacket Earrings

Jacket earrings are better described as complements to earrings rather than earrings themselves. These earrings feature a jacket that wraps around an earring (usually a stud) to give it more volume and beauty. These jackets can take various shapes, such as flowers or leaves.

Ear Climbers

Ear climbers are earrings that run up the side of your earlobe. As the name suggests, the ear climber base begins at the bottom of the ear, with the designs slowly making their way up. Ear climbers are usually designed to reflect this verticality by using shapes such as branches or leaves.

Barbell Earrings

Barbell earrings are just that – barbell-shaped earrings. The most common type of barbell earring features the signature barbell shape with a straight center. They usually pierce through two different parts of the ear, with the metal rod clearly visible on the inside.

Circular Barbell Earrings

Circular barbell earrings are a popular variation to the usual straight barbell. They are used to wrap around the ear rather than pierce through it. Circular barbell earrings work well in tandem with straight barbell earrings or even by themselves.

Plug Earrings

Plug earrings are unique earrings that create a hole in the person’s earlobe by hollowing it out with a metal piercing. The earring’s size and shape can vary from person to person, with more extreme examples being more significant than a golf ball.

Bajoran Earrings

Named after the species in the sci-fi show Star Trek, Bajoran earrings crossed over from fiction into pop culture. This type of earring features an elaborate chain connected at the top and bottom of the ear by a loose chain. Though the Bajoran in the show used the earring only on their right ear, nothing stops you from donning it on your left or both ears.

Ear Spike Earrings

Ear spike earrings are a common sight among the goth subculture. They are placed on the sides of the ears and protrude outward. Some designs also feature multiple spikes fanning out from a single stud.

Teardrop Earrings

Not to be confused with drop earrings, teardrop earrings are easily recognizable thanks to their unique teardrop shape. These teardrops are commonly fitted with jewelry and gems and are usually suspended from the ear.