The Best 5 Earrings for Gifting

Looking for earrings to gift but don’t know where to begin? Let’s help you sort the Studs from the Huggies in our round-up of our Top 5 most popular earring styles and how to choose the perfect pair of earring to give.

1. Ball Bead Earrings

Ball bead earrings are a perennial jewellery box favourite - light bounces from every curve of these soft, clean shapes that never date. Choose the right size and they are a great in-between style for day to night accessorizing and are an easy go-to style for almost any occasion. A ball earring doesn’t have to be a single bead – go for a string of beads that take the ball trend and run with it!

Most ball earrings are hollow, meaning you get the glamour of shiny silver, copper or gold but without the weight and cost of a solid design. Hollow shapes are also gentle on the ear, reducing the drag and pull on the ear lobes that comes with heavier earring styles. Depending on the size, ball bead earrings can be worn on their own or as a filler in an ear stack, making a ball earring a versatile piece of jewellery for gifting.

So what size ball earring do you choose? As a general rule of thumb if you’re unsure about the size of earring then always go smaller. Finer features and smaller faces suit a 4-6mm ball to look in proportion while a 6-10mm size suits the average face and shape.

Perhaps the most popular ball bead earrings to gift are the dangling style, with the ball or balls suspended on the bottom of an ear hook or threader. They are perfect for elongating rounder faces and softening the jawline as they add interest while drawing the eye downwards which gives the appearance of length.

Ball earrings with patterned, hammered or brushed contemporary finishes are the perfect ear accessory for on-trend gifting. Designs in mixed metals are also popular, with earrings that combine variations of silver, copper and gold tones bringing interest and flair to this classic shape.

2. Hoops and Huggies

Hoops and huggies are perennial earring styles that are the perfect go-to for adding modern edge to any earring collection. Over-sized hoops are great for styling through the seasons and look just as effortless with a crisp cotton summer collar as a chunky winter jumper or scarf. Not sure of the size? Then opt for a mid-sized hoop that can be worn by just about anyone - choose a design that plays with the circle silhouette like these double hoop earrings that are just different enough to earn you extra gifting points for being unique.

Huggies are also a good choice of hoop, though they are trickier to get right as they hug the lobe of the ear. Take the guesswork out of selecting this style of earring by opting for a huggie with a longer drop to accommodate any length of ear lobe. Huggies tend to be an under-rated gift but make a great no-frills piece of jewellery to gift the woman who prefers casual styling or jewellery for every-day wear.

3. Dangling Drop Earrings

For the woman who likes to make a statement with her jewellery a long dangling drop earring is the perfect choice. Go for a shape of earring that allows for movement below the fastening , these are the most attention grabbing styles that add flair and interest to any outfit or occasion.

Shopping for jewellery gifts on a budget? Then opt for mid-range vermeil that features a thick layer of genuine gold plated onto to 925 sterling silver that gives the feel and weight of quality precious metal but without the expense of solid gold.

For more unique gifting choose a drop or dangle earring with a hammered or modern brushed finish. Unusual or unexpected shapes also gift well for women who appreciate jewellery that is bespoke and not off the shelf.

Shorter hairstyles also suit dangling earrings that bring youthful movement and sway that catches the eye as the earrings move when worn. Some dangling earrings come with multiple sections that add to this effect and these styles are amongst the most popular choices.

4. Pearl & Gemstone Earrings

As the saying goes, ‘pearls are always appropriate’. Whether you choose an iridescent freshwater pearl in a silver setting or a large faux pearl with a creamy finish, you can’t go wrong with the classical refinement and flair of pearl earrings. Modern designs come in interesting shapes and synthetic pearls are the go-to choice for the fashion forward who appreciate pearly statement pieces without the price tag.

Pearl sizes between 6-9mm suit most face shapes and studs aren’t the only setting for pearls. Contemporary pearl earrings feature sticks and hoops, twists and curves. Remember the earring golden rule when choosing – the rounder the face, the longer the earring.

Opt for a pearl, whether faux or real, set in precious-metal and your pearl gift will continue to give delight for years to come.

Till not sure what to choose? The absolute go-to, can’t fail, anyone will like this design is a muted earring set with a gemstone. A simple earring shape with a pop of colour from a modern gemstone like sponge-coral or turquoise is a great choice for that difficult-to-choose-a-gift-for person in your life. Make it their birthstone gem and you’ll be breezing into a stress-free Christmas.

Popular gemstones like lapis lazuli, citrine and amethyst are cost-conscious choices that bring the glamour of colour without the hefty price tag of high-end gems like diamonds and emeralds. A simple drop decorated with a sea blue lapis gemstone is a small but striking earring that is easy to wear yet is bold enough to be noticed.

While rough cut gems bring a certain artisan flair to jewellery you can turn up the glamour with a gemstone like amethyst that features a faceted cut like a diamond. Faceted gems hint at luxury and high-end quality but they don’t have to break the bank if you choose a more economical gemstone.

5. Stud Earrings

Studs are undoubtedly the work-horse of the jewellery box. What’s not to love? They are easy to wear, suit most hair styles, can be added to a stack or worn solo, can even be worn in bed or under head-phones and best of all stud earrings are very budget friendly.

Small can also be impactful – choose a stud in an interesting or unusual shape, in a mix of metals or with unique textures or finishes to dial up your gifting game. Contemporary studs feature angled edges and curved shapes that mean even the smallest size can stand out when worn.

Go two for one with a faceted gemstone in a precious metal base like these sterling silver faceted blue topaz gemstone studs that brings all the cache of designer level design but are infinitely more affordable.

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Earring Style to Gift

Here are our tips for refining your choice and the things you should consider when selecting earrings as a gift.

• Know their style – do they wear bold drop designs or small studs? Get this right and your gift will say – I see you and know your style. You’ll earn points for the type of attention to detail that often gets over-looked when considering a jewellery gift.
  
• Skin tone – does she wear silver, copper of gold? Pick what matches her existing jewellery and you won’t go wrong. Not sure? Then choose a mixed metal design in gold, silver or copper that offers more versatility.
  
  
• Lifestyle – does the lucky recipient of your carefully chosen gift use headphones or have long hair? These are important things to consider and may decide the earring style for you. Studs and smaller earrings are unobtrusive and work best under headphones while rigid drop earrings won’t tangle in long hair.
  
  
• Budget – are you looking for a handmade design that will last a lifetime or fast fashion that will last a season? Choose well and your gift will last long after the glow of Christmas has faded. Many hand-made designs are just as affordable as machine-made jewellery and are guaranteed to last much longer.

We hope you found this guide useful – the tips and suggestions here can be used for selecting earrings for any occasion that calls for jewellery gifting. Next time you are looking for a gift for her, use our suggestions to find the perfect pair of earrings.