Earrings: Education & Buying Tips

Most earrings go with anything, adding style to every occasion. The wide variety of earring types, sizes, and prices available makes it easy to find the perfect pair for a gift. Your gift recipient will remember you every time they wear the earrings you got them. 

There are numerous earring closures and backings that can help keep your favorite pairs in place. Learn more about the most popular earring closures and backings and how to use them for your jewelry.  

Latched backings are found on many hoops. This closure uses a hinged arm that snaps into a U-shaped lock. To open a latch backing earring, apply gentle pressure to remove the arm from the lock.  

Hinged clasps are popular for diamond or gemstone hoop earrings. They’re also known as hinged snapback earrings. To open these closures, gently pull the earring hoop away from the back of the metal arm that goes through the earlobe when these hoops are being worn. You may need to gently pull the hoop at the notches around the arm to use the hinged mechanism. This makes it easy to take your earrings on or off with added security when this jewelry is being worn.

Guardian backs are found on many different types of studs and other earring designs. To open and close this backing, pinch the metal notches sticking out on either side of the backing and then push or pull the earring post through.   

Screw backs are backings used for many earring styles, especially studs. Simply twist the earring backing up or down the notches of the grooved post to wear or remove earrings with screw backs.  

Friction backs are the most popular earring backing type, especially for fashion styles. Friction backs are also known as push backs and they’re easy to use. Simply slide the straight earring post through the friction back until the earrings feel like they’re sitting comfortably in your earlobe. To remove, simply pull the earring backing past the notch at the end of the post while pulling the earring in the opposite direction.

Lever backs are most commonly found on dangle earrings. This style incorporates a fishhook post to allow movement and swing to the dangle, with a hinged clasp to lightly secure the earring. Once the post is in the ear, simply push the hinged bar into alignment with the post. To detach, use a fingernail to pull open the hinged bar.  

Omega clip backs can be found on higher end earrings. This backing style uses a hinged loop backing that swings over the end of the post, using tenson to secure the earring in place. To open your omega clip back earrings, gently unhook the loop backing so it’s in the open position, then slide the earring into place. Push the omega backing into the upright closed position to secure your earrings. Follow the same steps in reverse to remove earrings with these backings. The loop in the back provides extra support to keep heavier earrings in position. 

Diamond studs are the perfect gift for an important occasion. If your gift recipient is more fashionable and follows the trends, give them princess-cut diamond studs, but if they dress in classic styles, give round diamond studs or cultured pearl studs. 

Even if they have several pairs of earrings already, they'll love to add a pair of beautiful hoop earrings to their rotation. Most people have a preference of the color of precious metals they wear, so look at their other jewelry to see what they prefer. 

If studs and hoops are too predictable, silver earrings are available in a variety of fashionable styles. Other earring styles include colorful gemstone or lively dangling designs. 

View our Top Ten Earrings for a list of earrings every jewelry collection should have. Or view these earrings for a gift to fit your budget: