Buying Earrings: Consider Your Personal Style

Earrings date back to ancient times when they were used for distinctive ornamentation, made of precious metals and sometimes with coral, stones or glass. It wasn't until the Renaissance period when people started wearing their hair shorter, that earrings took off as a cultural trend. Today, earrings are worn all over the world and come in a variety of styles, shapes and materials.

Stud Earrings

Nearly every woman has several pairs of studs in her jewelry box—they’re one of the most popular earring styles! Studs usually feature a stationary ornament, such as a solitary stone or singular metal shape, and typical backings include post/clutch, post/clip or pierced screw. These classic pairs radiate a more refined, sophisticated look. Stud earrings are available in a variety of precious metals, gemstones and designs. Favorite options often include a single diamond or gemstone—but other petite and stylish options could be a cluster of tiny gems or small gold or sterling silver shapes such as hearts, knots or balls.

Hoop Earrings

Just as the name suggests, this earring style features a hoop that circles from front to back, around the ear, and usually secures with a snap-bar, hinged post or lever backing. Hoop earrings come in all shapes and sizes—you can find simple designs made from gleaming precious metal or more glamorous options encrusted with diamonds and gemstones. Small basic hoops are perfect for everyday wear, and larger embellished hoop earrings are great for special occasions and expressing a bold sense of style.

Drop Earrings

Falling below the ear, drop earrings can be further categorized into various styles such as dangle, chandelier, linear, doorknocker and tassel, and generally finish with post/clutch, post/clip, earwire, leverback or hinged post backings. Drop earrings gently sway as you move, adding an elegant touch to any outfit—a great choice for those in search of something a bit dressier, though there are many casual styles as well.

Chandelier Earrings

As mentioned above, this glamorous style falls under the drop earrings category. Chandelier earrings are named for their resemblance to the ornate light fixtures of the same name and feature multiple dangling drops that cascade down and create spectacular movement, glistening from every angle. Perfect for festive holidays and big nights out, chandelier earrings are also a beautiful choice for your bridal jewelry, should they match your desired aesthetic.

Linear Earrings

Another member of the drop family, linear earrings exude a sleek and refined elegance worthy of a red-carpet event. If you want to add interest all the way down the line, search for long gemstone styles that mimic the look of a tennis bracelet. For even more intrigue, opt for graduated designs, colorful multi-gemstone pairs, dramatic black diamond duos or plain polished bars for a classic look.

Huggie Hoop Earrings

Smaller than classic hoops, huggie hoops offer a just-right size that closely hugs the ear. Many use a snap-bar or hinged post backing rather than typical post/clutch backings. Because of their petite size, huggie hoop earrings work well for casual, business or nighttime wear. Huggie earrings are available in various metal types, plain or embellished with gemstones, or featuring intricately designed patterns and scrollwork.

Bead Earrings

Offered in a wide range of styles, from single-bead studs to hoops and drops with multiple beads, bead earrings look great alone or paired with other earring types.Bead options can include opaque gemstones, colored glass, or gold or sterling silver balls.

Estate Earrings

Vintage earrings are pre-owned pieces that are 20 or more years old. Our Estate jewelry collection features one-of-a-kind earrings that make an ideal gift for almost anyone. You can find vintage studs, drops, chandeliers and more from iconic eras such as Victorian, Art Deco and Edwardian, to name a few.

Earring Backings

Earring backs are an essential part of any pair of earrings, as they may inform how a particular pair of earrings will look and feel without trying them on.

• Post/clutch backings are perhaps the most popular style of earring backs for pierced ears. A thin post slips through the piercing and is secured into a separate piece: the clutch backing.
• Flat backings are part of a unique pushpin design. These flat, smooth earring backs won’t poke or jab, making this style perfect for both lobe and cartilage piercings, and ensuring all-day comfort that’s ideal for active lifestyles and 24/7 wear. A flat backing is inserted first into a pierced ear, then the front post slides inside to secure.
• Clip/post backings are also worn with pierced ears, but unlike the post/clutch combo, this earring is a self-contained piece where the post slips through the piercing and clips shut with a hinged back, securing the post.
• Clip backings offer a self-contained design that gently clasps onto the ear without the need for a post, making these earrings suitable for both pierced and non-pierced ears.
• Snap-bar backings, commonly found on hoop earrings, feature a thin post that slides through the piercing and securely snaps into place.
• Hinged posts function similarly to snap-bars, but these earrings consist of a hinged, self-contained piece, resembling clip earrings.
• Lever-backs are also self-contained and lack a conventional straight post. Instead, the "post" is integrated into the rounded earring itself.
• Earwires resemble hooks. They pass through the piercing with the excess "wire" discreetly hanging behind the ear and are typically seen in drop earring designs.
• Pierced screw backs are self-contained pieces requiring you to gently screw the earring back into place. Non-pierced screw backs function similarly but lack a post and rest flatly against the ear once secured.

Materials

Here at Ross-Simons, our earrings are made with high-quality precious metals including platinum, yellow gold, white gold and rose gold—in karats ranging from 10kt to 18kt. For those seeking a luxurious look at a more affordable price, we also offer earrings in sterling silver and 18kt gold over sterling silver in yellow, white and rose hues.

Ornamentation

When selecting earrings, it's essential to consider how they will complement your existing wardrobe and other fine jewelry pieces. Your choice of metal, gemstones and earring style should harmonize with and enhance your clothing and fashion accessories.

At Ross-Simons, our earrings are decorated with almost any ornamentation imaginable—from diamonds and CZs to genuine precious and semi-precious gemstones to cultured and shell pearls, enamel, engravings, unique finishes and so much more!

For a bold, fresh look, go for colorful cabochons and multi-gemstone styles.

If you crave a little sparkle, diamonds, CZs or moissanite stud earrings are for you.

Looking for something classic? Try white pearls or basic polished metal pairs.

If you’re going for understated and refined, diamond stud earrings paired with a dazzling diamond tennis bracelet can elevate your ensemble.

Women with a unique sense of style can effortlessly craft their signature looks by coordinating stud, drop or hoop earrings with engagement rings featuring complementary or contrasting designs, colors and materials.

To achieve a cohesive personal style, opt for earrings with finishes similar to your other frequently worn jewelry pieces. White gold, sterling silver and diamond earrings seamlessly coordinate with accessories crafted from the same precious metals and gemstones. If you favor rose gold or yellow gold accessories, consider earrings featuring colored diamonds to complement your preferred metal tones.

When assembling an all-diamond aesthetic, ensure consistency in diamond quality across your accessories. The carat weight of diamonds reflects their quality and influences their price. Fine jewelry with subtle diamond carat weights can be seamlessly styled together—however, a 1.00 ct. t.w. diamond bracelet or engagement ring should be paired with diamond earrings of an equal or higher carat weight to maintain balance and harmony in your overall look.