Women's Earrings: Every Type of Earring Explained (Complete Guide)
What types of earrings are there? There are seven main types of women's earrings: studs, huggies, hoops (also called creoles), drop earrings, statement earrings, ear cuffs and ear climbers. The difference is mostly in how they sit on your ear: flat on your lobe, as a small ring hugging it, hanging below it or clipped around the edge. Below you'll find how each type sits, when it looks best and which size to choose, plus everything about silver-tone studs and the ear party: combining several piercings.
The short answer
These are the types of earrings for women, with their names:
- Studs (stud earrings, posts): a small piece on a post that sits flat on your lobe.
- Huggies: small hoops of 8 to 12 mm that hug your earlobe.
- Hoops (creoles): a ring through your lobe, from 14 mm up to 6 cm.
- Drop earrings: a charm or drop that moves below your lobe.
- Statement earrings: large or bold; one pair finishes your look.
- Ear cuffs: a small clip around the edge of your ear, no piercing needed.
- Ear climbers: a stud that runs up along your ear in a little line.
Wear several at once, spread across your piercings, and you have an ear party.
Every type of earring at a glance
This table shows at a glance how each type of earring sits, when it looks best and which size to choose. Below it, you can read more about each type, with examples.
| Type (also called) | How it sits | When and for whom | Size tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studs (stud earrings, posts) | A small piece on a post, flat on your lobe, secured with a back | Every day, at work, at the gym and in a second piercing | 3–4 mm subtle, 5–6 mm visible, from 1 cm a shape |
| Huggies | A small ring that hugs your lobe, usually with a hinged closure | Every day and as the base of an ear party | 8–12 mm |
| Hoops (creoles) | A ring through your lobe that hangs a little below it | From jeans to party dress | 14–25 mm for every day, from 30 mm eye-catching |
| Drop earrings | A charm or drop that moves below your lobe | Office, dinner, party | 1.5–3 cm for daytime, from 5 cm elegant |
| Statement earrings | A large or bold shape, as a stud, drop or hoop | Parties, weddings or lifting a simple outfit | One pair per look, keep the rest quiet |
| Ear cuffs | An open ring you clip around the edge of your ear | When you don't want an (extra) piercing | Start with a slim, smooth cuff |
| Ear climbers | A stud that runs up your ear in a little line | A full-looking ear with just one piercing | One per ear is plenty |
All earrings in this guide are made of premium stainless steel with a gold- or silver-tone PVD coating: waterproof and hypoallergenic. See the full range of women's earrings, or go straight to the gold-tone earrings if you love warm gold. Curious what's in style right now? Read the earring trends of 2026.
Stud earrings for women: the everyday essential
Stud earrings, or studs, are the most-worn earrings of all. A small piece sits on a straight post that goes through your piercing, and you secure it at the back with a little closure. Studs sit flat against your lobe, don't catch on your scarf or sweater and go with everything, from jeans to a dress. That also makes them the obvious choice for a second or third piercing.
With studs, size is everything. A 3 or 4 mm stud is subtle, 5 to 6 mm is clearly visible, and from about 1 cm the shape tells the story: a heart, a flower, a bow or a birthstone. Prefer a touch of colour? Choose a natural stone, like the blue lapis lazuli of Novi below. You'll find every style among our stud earrings for women.
Pictured
Nikki – one stone, four sizes
A clear cubic zirconia in a classic setting, in gold and silver tone. From 3 mm (delicate, also for a second piercing) to 6 mm (real sparkle, worn on its own). Pictured: 4 mm in gold tone. Want to combine two sizes? Wear 5 mm in your first piercing and 3 mm above it.
View the Nikki →
Silver stud earrings for women: silver-tone or real silver?
Looking for silver studs? You'll come across two materials. Our silver-tone studs are made of premium stainless steel with a silver-tone PVD coating. They look like silver, but they are a different material from real silver. You'll notice the difference mainly when you wear them every day:
| Feature | Silver-tone stainless steel | Real silver |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Premium stainless steel with a silver-tone PVD coating | A precious metal; because it is soft, it is mixed with another metal |
| Showering, swimming, sport | No need to take them out: waterproof | Better taken off, especially in the sea or a pool |
| Tarnish and care | Doesn't turn dark the way silver does; a wipe now and then is enough | Can darken over time and then needs polishing |
If you want studs you can keep in all day, in the shower and at the gym too, silver-tone stainless steel is the easiest choice. Read more about materials in which jewellery materials don’t discolour.
You can put together your own set of silver-tone studs: choose two or three small styles in the same colour, for example a Nikki stone, a little flower and a knot, and wear them from large to small across your piercings. Find every option among our silver-tone earrings.
Shop the look
Glimt – a glimmer of light
Silver tone from head to toe: Nikki cubic zirconia studs, a necklace with a cubic zirconia pendant, a tennis bracelet and a ring with a row of stones. Just enough sparkle for the festive season.
- Nikki cubic zirconia studs
- Anah necklace with cubic zirconia pendant
- Inge tennis bracelet
- Luce ring with cubic zirconia
Huggies: small hoops that hug your earlobe
Huggies are small, sturdy hoops that sit snugly around your earlobe; the name says it all. They usually have a hinged closure that clicks shut, and the diameter is around 8 to 12 mm. That makes huggies as easy as studs, but with the look of a hoop.
You'll find them smooth, set with a row of cubic zirconia or with a small charm. That last one is the huggie with a twist: a drop or stone that moves, like Cathie and Avélie in the photos below. It sits right between a huggie and a drop earring, and works from the office to a party.
Hoop earrings: which size should you choose?
Hoops and creoles are two names for the same thing: a ring that runs through your earlobe. The difference from huggies is size: from about 14 mm, the ring hangs a little below your lobe and becomes a true hoop.
The diameter in millimetres decides how eye-catching a hoop is. Look at the thickness too: a fine hoop looks delicate, a chunky hoop of 3 mm or more stands out straight away. This size guide helps you choose:
| Diameter | How it looks | For example |
|---|---|---|
| 8–12 mm | Huggie: hugs your earlobe, also lovely in a second piercing | Delia 11 mm, Emmy 12 mm |
| 14–18 mm | Small hoop: hangs just below your lobe, the easiest size for every day | Delia 16 mm, Emmy 16 mm, Thalia 1.8 cm |
| 20–25 mm | Classic hoop: visible but calm, from office to dinner | Amber 2 cm, Emmy 20 mm, Nori 23 mm (oval) |
| 30–40 mm | Eye-catching: the hoop finishes your outfit | Svala 3.5 cm, Romée 4 cm |
| from 40 mm | Statement: large, airy and festive | Lies 6 cm |
A handy example is Delia, the hoop with a row of cubic zirconia: in gold tone it comes in 11 to 18 mm, in silver tone in 11, 16 and 18 mm. So you can wear the same hoop as a huggie in your second piercing and one size up in your first. Browse every size and shape among our hoop earrings.
Drop earrings: movement below your lobe
With drop earrings, something hangs below your earlobe and moves when you talk or turn your head: a teardrop, a stone, a square or a ring. The drop hangs from a stud, a small huggie or a hook. Because they move, drop earrings catch the light and draw attention to your face.
Short drops of 1.5 to 3 cm are easy to wear during the day, with a sweater or blouse. From around 5 cm they become truly elegant: lovely with an open neckline, a low bun or at a party. See all drop earrings, and if you often wear your hair up, read which earrings look best with an updo.
Pictured
Julia – a little square that moves
A silver-tone ring with a square drop about 1 cm wide. Clean and modern, and small enough for every day. Prefer gold? Julia also comes in gold tone.
View the Julia →
Statement earrings: one pair that makes the difference
Statement earrings are large, sculptural or have a shape that catches the eye at once: a flower, a geometric form or a stack of circles. They can be big studs, drop earrings or bold hoops. What they share: they finish a simple outfit in one go, like the geometric Elvine in the opening photo.
The rule is simple: one statement per look. Wear them with your hair back and leave a bold necklace at home for once. They look their best with a plain sweater, a blazer or a party dress. Find more shapes among our statement earrings; for a party, read which jewellery to wear with a gala dress.
Ear cuffs and ear climbers: a full ear without another piercing
An ear cuff is a small, open ring that you clip around the edge of your ear. You don't need a piercing: slide it on at the thinnest part of your ear's rim, then move it to where you want it. Perfect if you don't want another piercing but do love the stacked look.
An ear climber does go in your regular piercing, but it runs up your ear in a little line, for example with stars or leaves. It looks as if you're wearing several earrings, while it's just one. See them all among our ear cuffs and climbers.
The ear party: combining several piercings
In an ear party, also called an ear stack, you wear several small earrings at once, spread across your piercings. It looks best when you go from large to small: the largest piece at the bottom and smaller pieces as you go up. An easy way to build it:
- First piercing: a huggie or small hoop of 11 to 18 mm.
- Second piercing: a 3 to 5 mm stud or a slim huggie.
- Higher up your ear: a tiny stud, an ear climber or an ear cuff with no piercing.
Keep it to two to four pieces per ear and stick to one colour, or repeat one element in your other ear; then it looks like a whole. Find ready-made ideas in our ear party collection. Rather try it out first? In the ear party builder you design your own ear look on a drawn ear and instantly see which earrings go with it.
Which earrings suit your face shape?
There are no strict rules, but these rules of thumb help you choose faster. What matters most is that you feel good in them.
- Round faceLong drops and oval or angular shapes make your face look longer.
- Oval faceAlmost anything suits you; play with size and shape.
- Heart-shaped faceTeardrops and shapes that widen at the bottom bring balance.
- Square faceRound hoops and soft, rounded shapes soften your jawline.
Torn between gold and silver? Read gold or silver: which suits me best or take the style quiz.
What are Lundholm earrings made of?
All earrings in this guide are made of premium stainless steel with a gold- or silver-tone PVD coating. They are hypoallergenic, so suitable for most people with sensitive skin; read more in hypoallergenic jewellery explained. And they are waterproof: you can shower, swim and work out in them. Only earrings with a pearl look are not waterproof; take those off before they get wet. Cleaning tips are in how to clean jewellery by material.
Shipping and gift wrapping
Order before 3 pm on a working day and we ship your earrings the same day. For delivery times and shipping costs to your country, see our shipping page. Every piece leaves in a luxury gift box, and when you order in our own webshop you always get a free gift bag. With larger orders, our gift ladder adds free gifts too, different every month. Looking for a present? Try the Gift Finder.
Frequently asked questions about types of earrings
What types of earrings are there?
There are seven main types of earrings: studs, huggies, hoops (also called creoles), drop earrings, statement earrings, ear cuffs and ear climbers. If you wear several types at once across your piercings, that's called an ear party.
What is the difference between stud and drop earrings?
A stud sits flat against your earlobe, on a post with a closure behind your ear. A drop earring has a piece that hangs below your lobe and moves, such as a teardrop or a stone. Studs are calm and practical for every day; drop earrings catch more light and stand out more.
Which stud earrings are best for everyday wear?
For every day, small studs of 3 to 6 mm are the easiest: a ball, a cubic zirconia stone or a small shape. They sit flat against your lobe, don't catch on anything and go with everything. Wear the largest in your first piercing and a smaller one in your second.
What are huggie earrings?
Huggies are small hoops of about 8 to 12 mm that sit snugly around your earlobe, usually with a hinged closure. They're as easy as studs but have the look of a hoop. You can choose smooth huggies, huggies with cubic zirconia or huggies with a small charm.
What is the difference between hoops, creoles and huggies?
Hoops and creoles are the same: ring-shaped earrings that run through your earlobe. Small hoops of up to about 12 mm that sit snugly around your lobe are called huggies.
What size hoop earrings should I choose?
For every day, hoops of 14 to 25 mm are the easiest. Huggies of 8 to 12 mm hug your earlobe and also fit a second piercing. From 30 mm hoops really stand out, and from 40 mm they are statement hoops. The size is the outer diameter of the ring.
Are silver-tone stud earrings made of real silver?
No. Lundholm's silver-tone studs are made of premium stainless steel with a silver-tone PVD coating. They look like silver, but they're waterproof and don't turn dark the way real silver can. Real silver is a precious metal that is better taken off in the shower and the pool.
Which earrings are good for sensitive ears?
Earrings made of premium stainless steel with a PVD coating are hypoallergenic: suitable for most people with sensitive skin. Small studs and smooth huggies are a nice place to start, because they are light and sit comfortably.
Do you need a piercing for an ear cuff?
No. You slide an ear cuff over the edge of your ear and it holds itself in place. An ear climber does go in a regular piercing; it runs up your ear in a little line.
What is an ear party?
An ear party (or ear stack) means combining several earrings across your piercings. Start with the largest piece at the bottom, such as a huggie or small hoop, add smaller studs above it and finish with an ear cuff. Two to four pieces per ear is plenty.
Find your earrings
From delicate studs to statement hoops: waterproof, hypoallergenic and always in a luxury gift box.
