Types of earrings
Designs
Plastic, metal, precious stones, glass and beads are few of the materials that are used to make the earrings. Earrings are available in various designs right from small studs, loops to large plates & dangling items. However, the size is limited by physical capacity of the earlobe to grip the earring. Heavy earrings may a times cause stretching or ripping off the earlobes, if worn for a long period of time.
Earrings are available in different styles, shapes, designs, and sizes. Clip-on and pierced types are the basic two classifications of the earrings. Pierced earrings are the most commonly used earrings as piercing can be done very easily and has an attractive look. Hoop earrings, dangling,studs are various types of pierced earrings.
Chandelier earrings
Chandeliers as the name implies are highly embellished and multi layered.
The design features multiple layers that hang downwards.
They may feature metallic accents as well as some gemstone structures.
Drop earrings
The earrings have a marked design that enables them to hang in a straight line and sway with movement.
They may be of some geometrical shape or may feature one larger gemstone that is studded so as make it dangle.
Dangle earrings
Dangle earrings are designed to dangle and sway from the bottoms of the earlobes. They are available in a number of shapes and sizes. They are generally attached to the ear by the use of thin wires, going through the earlobe and connecting themselves in a small hook at the back. French hook is a prominent variation. They hang from the earlobe, without any enclosure. Chandeliers or drop earrings may also be categorised as dangle earrings.
Ear Thread/ Ear String earrings
An ear thread is a chain that is sleek enough to slip into the ear hole and emerge from within the pierce to dangle downwards.
Beads, pearls or other shapes are added to the end of the dangling chain.
The dangling chain can be of any length that is desired.
Ear Spikes
Ear spikes are a type of plastic sticks that are about 1 mm in diameter and 1.5 cm in length.
This stick passes through the pierce but doesn’t fall out.
Fish Hook
This earring is more of a type of earring hanger that penetrates through your ear and resembles more like a fish hook.
French Hoop
A french hoop is a variation of the fish hook hanger.
The design is more of a rounded hanger that is open at the bottom.
It’s is this opening through which the earring passes through the Perice on your ears.
Hoop earrings
Hoop earrings are round or oval and they may be as large as well as as small as you want them to be. Circular or semi-circular in design they are very similar to a ring.
It’s this circular piece that itself passes through your ear pierces. Also, some designs may feature a metal tubing at the body followed by a thin wire attachment that goes through the pierce to meet the other end of the ring. They are often constructed of metal tubing, with a wire thin enough penetrating the ear. The hollow tubing is permanently attached to the wire at the front of the ear, and the tube at the back is slipped in it.
Some hoop earrings may feature a single ring whereas others may feature a loop of continuous rings. Using same attachment techniques that apply to stud earrings, other hoop designs do not complete the circle, but penetrate through the ear.
The rings may be hollow to make them light in weight. Sterling silver hoops are quite popular among people.
Charm Hoop earrings
One slight variation is the Charm hoop earring that features some gemstone, pearl or diamond dangling from the ring.
Sleeper Hoop earrings
Too long or elaborate an earring may get heavier due to it’s design, cut and studs. Earrings heavy in weight exert great pressure on the skin and muscles that hold the earring in place. They may result in ripped earlobes, if worn for longer hours.
Huggy earrings
Huggies are a popular style of earring and as the name suggests, they have a setting that hugs your ears to secure the earring in place.
Hearts and ovals are two most sought after shapes of the earring.
Lever back earrings
Lever backs can be worn on both pierced as well as non pierced ears. The design features a move able segment that folds upwards and a hanger flip with a back that presses against your ear, to keep the earring in place.
Bajoran earring
After appearing on STAR TREK the Slave earring also known as “Slave earring”, became a great hit amongst the youth.
This piece of earring is worn on higher on the ear and is connected to the ear cuff with the help of a chin.
Stud earrings
The appearance of floating on the ear or earlobe without a visible point of connection is the main characteristic of these earrings.
They are constructed on the end of a post that penetrates straight through the ear. These earrings are usually round and feature a post and an ear nut. The post is basically held in place by the help of a removable friction back. The stud earring is constructed so that the post is threaded, to securely hold the earring in place and prevent the loss of expensive stones.
They are usually small and size and are easy to wear. They may feature some diamonds, pearls or precious or semi-precious gemstones likes topaz, emerald, ruby, jade etc. The diamonds used are usually solitaires.
You can wear them on regular basis. They are highly versatile. You can wear them from your mock tail parties to your shopping. With your casual ripped jeans to your ball gowns, they may never let you down once you have adorned them.
