Women's Earring Trends: 5 Must-Have Styles

When it comes to choosing gold earrings, there are loads of different styles you can master. A lot of the most popular diamond earrings for men tend to be bold, heavy and flashy, while the most popular styles of earrings for women are generally made to complement an outfit without detracting attention away from it.
Whilst men might wear a pair of stud earrings as the “main attraction” of their outfit, perhaps alongside a heavy gold chain, we often see women using diamond earrings to elevate their outfit and add a touch of sophisticated shine to proceedings. Whether you’re heading to a formal event, meeting friends or simply going for a day out with the family, there’s a pair of earrings to match the occasion.
In this blog, we’ll discuss five of the most popular gold earring styles and how to style them your way.

Different Types Of Women’s Earrings

Every gold earring style says something different about you. A demure flash of diamond. A wow-factor gemstone to steal the show wherever you go. Whether you go big and bold or just fancy adding a touch of something extra, you’re bound to find an earring style to suit. 

Gold Stud Earrings

Stud earrings are arguably the most popular style for day-to-day wear. Typically found with one centre stone, held together in a four or six-prong setting, stud earrings are the ideal piece of jewellery for minimalists. Whilst they generally come in the aforementioned style, they can be found in a wide range of other designs too, from heart-shaped studs to gemstone clusters and everything in between.

Stud earrings are great if you’re looking to add subtle style to your everyday look. They’re ideal for those with an oval face shape, complementing narrower facial features and maintaining those timeless vibes. 

Hoop / Creole Earrings

Looking to stand out and make your style known? Hoops will give you that energy, for sure. As the name suggests, hoops typically appear in a circular shape. Creole earrings are essentially the same as hoop earrings but they tend to be a lot wider at the bottom than at the top. When set with diamonds or cubic zirconia, both of these earring styles reflect light in a way that almost no other piece of jewellery does. That’s why gold hoop earrings remain one of the most popular styles of jewellery for women.

They’re ideal for everything from everyday wear to formal events. The bigger the occasion, the bigger the hoop. If you have a square face shape or a more defined jawline, you should definitely consider adding hoops to your collection as they’ll bring out the best in your facial features. 

Fancy digging into more about the history of hoop earrings and how you should wear them? Have a flick through our ultimate hoop earring guide to learn all about different types of hoop earrings. 

Drop Earrings

This more glamorous style is ideal for special occasions, hence why you’ll often see celebrities wearing extravagant diamond drop earrings at formal events like the BAFTAs and the Met Gala. Drop earrings can be found in a wide range of variations but often feature multiple diamonds, and sometimes even gemstones, in a drop down design.

Those with a round shaped face will be able to give the illusion of elongated facial features when wearing a stunning pair of drop earrings. They add a dramatic edge to any look and we’re here for it. 

Diamond Cluster Earrings

Diamond cluster earrings are known to feature multiple diamonds, as opposed to diamond solitaire earrings, which feature a single diamond. The cluster of diamonds on most of these earrings serve as the secondary stone, often used to direct attention to a much larger diamond or gemstone. These earrings are usually more subtle than some of the other styles on this list, therefore they’re very popular for social gatherings and day-to-day wear.

If a simple stud earring doesn’t quite show off your dazzling sense of style, you can bet a pair of diamond cluster earrings will do the trick. 

Gemstone Earrings

If you’re looking for a truly unique pair of earrings, gemstone earrings are certainly the way to go. From simple stud earrings to eccentric drop down earrings, there’s an extensive range of styles to choose from, meaning that gemstone earrings are perfect for almost any occasion. 

Unlike natural diamonds, gemstones also come in a huge variety of vibrant colours from ruby red to emerald green. With this in mind, many people like to buy several pairs of gemstone earrings to match with different outfits.

Gemstone earrings look particularly striking on women with heart-shaped faces. Long earrings or drop down gemstone earrings will draw attention to the eyes and cheekbones, so you can sit back and let the compliments roll in. 

Stand Out Men’s Earring Styles

Really, when it comes to men’s earrings, there’s one style that supersedes all others: the diamond stud. Whilst you can indulge in more “out there” styles, from men’s hoops and dangle earrings to stretchers, you really can’t go wrong with the classic stud. 

Countless celebrities have been seen sporting the stud earring as it adds edge to any look. Lewis Hamilton, Usher, Justin Timberlake, Kanye… need we list more? 

A flash of diamond set against white or yellow gold shows you take accessorising seriously. And when it comes to diamonds, bigger is most certainly better. Trust us, a 1.00ct diamond stud earring will earmark you as a very stylish gent indeed.

Round diamond stud earrings look great on guys with an oval or square face shape, whereas square diamond studs are the most stylish choice if you have a round face as it’ll balance out your features. 

Which ear should a man wear an earring in?

There’s no hard and fast rule as to which side a man should wear an earring in. In fact, many men choose to wear a pair of earrings - particularly if they’re sporting a gleaming diamond pair. 

Our Top Tips For Buying Gold Earrings

So you know what earring style you’re looking for, but do you know how to spot the signs of a quality piece of gold jewellery? Luckily help is at hand. Our jewellery experts have pulled together our handy tips to help you make an informed choice. 

• Know your carats

The higher the carat of gold, the more expensive your gold earring will be. Whilst 24ct gold jewellery is the purest form of gold, it’s simply not durable enough to craft into a piece of jewellery let alone a pair of earrings. Therefore, gold is alloyed with another metal to make it stronger. An 18ct gold earring contains a higher percentage of gold (75% to be exact) compared to a 9ct gold earring (which is made up of 37.5% gold) so, if that’s important to you we recommend opting for a higher carat. However, in our experience, 9ct gold is often the best value for money. You walk away with a durable, quality piece of jewellery at a more affordable price point - whilst still enjoying a piece of stunning jewellery. 

• Check the specs

A pair of solid gold diamond earrings should have a pretty impressive spec list. Look out for gold purity, earring dimensions, the diamond’s 4Cs (that’s cut, clarity, colour and carat, in case you didn’t know) and what certification and warranty you’ll receive with your jewellery. All of our gold earrings come with a certificate of authenticity and insurance valuation, plus a 14-day returns guarantee. 

If the product specs are vague and there aren’t detailed images and videos of the jewellery, we’d suggest you run a mile. Only ever buy gold jewellery if you’re confident the specifications match up with your expectations. 

• Buy solid gold

Seriously. Don’t stuff gold-plated jewellery into your earlobes. It’ll oxidise over time and lose its shine, showing off nothing but a tatty piece of costume jewellery. A solid gold piece of jewellery will keep its beauty for years to come - always choose quality over fake gold when it comes to adding earrings to your collection. 

• Choose a reputable jeweller 

If you don’t know who you’re buying from, how do you know what you’re buying? Choosing a trustworthy jeweller, particularly if you’re buying online, is key when picking out a new pair of gold earrings. Not sure the signs to look out for? Check out our guide on spotting a reputable jeweller. 

 

Gold Earrings FAQs

Do gold earrings tarnish?

Listen up, because this one’s important. If you’re looking for a stunning pair of gold earrings, don’t scrimp and land yourself with a gold-plated pair that’ll end up tarnishing in no time. Solid gold jewellery will keep its value for years to come, and its shining gold colour won’t fade in time because it’s crafted from solid gold through-and-through rather than just coated in it. 

Is gold safe for sensitive ears?

Pure, 24ct gold is nonreactive so technically speaking pure gold is a safe bet for those with sensitive ears. However, as 24ct gold is too soft to be crafted into a durable piece of jewellery, it is typically alloyed with other metals and some of these might cause a reaction. If you’re looking for the perfect pair of earrings for your sensitive lobes, always choose a solid gold pair of earrings with 14ct purity or higher (as this will reduce the content of the alloyed metal) and make sure your gold is nickel free. 

Can my children wear gold earrings? 

Yes, there are plenty of earrings suitable for children and solid gold is the perfect choice of metal as it’s less likely to irritate your little one’s skin. Screw back or safety stud earrings will ensure the earrings stay in place, preventing them from becoming a choking hazard. 

Take a look at our expert tips on children’s jewellery safety or our children’s jewellery buying guide for more of our top tips. 

How do I clean my gold earrings?

It’s always a good idea to get your gold jewellery professionally cleaned from time to time, but there are plenty of ways to clean your gold earrings at home too. Soak your jewellery in warm water and a dash of liquid soap for ten minutes or so, before giving it a gentle clean with a soft-bristled brush - a toothbrush works wonders!

Bookmark our guide on how to care for gold jewellery to make sure you always have a handy resource to hand next time you have a question about your jewellery collection. 

Can I wear gold earrings every day?

There’s no reason why you can’t wear gold earrings every day, though as with all things the more you wear a piece of jewellery the sooner it will show signs of wear. However, if you choose quality solid gold earrings, they should last you for many, many years and as such wearing them every day shouldn’t be a problem. Just make sure you take your earrings out from time to time to give them a good clean and clean your earlobes and piercing regularly too. 

Once your piercing has settled, it's not recommended to sleep in your earrings as they could catch on something as you sleep. However, sleeping in gold earrings shouldn’t pose too much of a problem if you’ve chosen a quality solid gold, nickel-free pair, though this does depend on the style you choose. Having a snooze in diamond-encrusted hoops probably isn’t going to be comfortable! Opt for simple stud earrings with a secure back if you’re planning to spend 24/7 in them. 

Can gold earrings get wet? 

It’s absolutely fine for solid gold earrings to get wet, so you can go ahead and wear them while bathing or in the shower. It’s worth noting, though, that extended showering using all your lotions and potions is likely to make the gold seem less shiny over time. It won’t affect its durability though. 

The same goes for diamond earrings - natural oils and soaps can dim your diamonds’ brilliance so to keep your jewellery sparkling we recommend taking your earrings out before showering or taking a dip in the pool. 

Are gold earrings hallmarked? 

All solid gold earrings should be hallmarked - this is a sure sign that your earrings are the real deal. Most earring hallmarks can be found on the earring post. If you’re not sure what a hallmark is and what this means for your jewellery collection, head over to our guide on understanding jewellery hallmarks. 

One of our favourite things about earrings is that they can be worn for so many different occasions. Whether you’re looking for a pair of stud earrings for everyday wear or a pair of diamond drop earrings to turn heads on a night out, we’re sure that you’ll be able to find something to suit your taste amongst Hatton Jewellers’ collection. 

Did we miss out any popular styles of earrings? Feel free to let us know on Facebook or Instagram! While you’re here, why not take a read of our jewellery blog for some more tips and recommendations?