Traditionally, men wore earrings such as studs or hoop earrings as their main fashion statement. Stud earrings were customarily made out of diamonds, cubic zirconia, crystals, or gold. The more precious the material, the better (with regard to social status).
However, as times have changed, guys now wear different types of earrings. Stainless steel, titanium, silver, and even plastic are common. The type of earring back is also not an important factor.
Table of Contents
Studs
Studs earrings are earrings which look like they float on the ear. There is a rod that sticks through the earlobe’s cartilage and a clasp to keep it in place. Usually, there is a decorative front piece.
For example, a metal stud, symbol, or gemstone on the front. These earrings are customizable so you can buy stud earrings that have unique skins which fit over the stud. There are some that even light up or glow in the dark. It all depends on your taste.
Hoops
These earrings are circular or semi-circular with a hollow center. There is a post or wire that pierces the earlobe to keep it in place.
Barbells
As the name suggests, these earrings look like the gym equipment. Straight barbells are the most popular piercing type. However, they can also come bent and smaller gauged barbells are used for piercing ear cartilage.
Long barbells are common with industrial piercings. They extend from the top of the ear all the way across and out the other side. A ball, attached to the threaded end, secures the earring. It is also commonly used with tragus piercing.
Novelty Earrings
This is a broad term for earrings that have an attachment or skin which goes over balls or studs. The attachment can be changed whenever you want. For example, some novelty earrings include skulls, stars, cartoon characters, or other shapes. Other choices are flowers or animals.
Magnetic Earrings
Magnet earrings do not require you to have pierced ears. They are comparable to stud earring but they don’t go through the flesh of the ear. Instead, they stay in place using a magnet that is attached to the back of the earlobe.
Clip-On Earrings
Like magnet earrings, clip-on earrings do not require a pierced ear. They stay in place using a hinged back so that they could be easily snapped in place on the earlobe.
Tapers and Plugs
These penetrate through the earlobe and stay in place. It’s a piece of jewelry that is used to stretch a piercing up a size.
They are similar to spacers and flesh tunnels. However, those are hollow in the middle and typically big earrings when compared to tapers and plugs.
Also read:
- Earring back types: A definitive guide
- Kinds of earrings: Everything to know
