Choosing earrings without making a bad buy: clasp, material, and maintenance in a row
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
5 min reading time
From Stud to Chandelier: How to choose earrings that are comfortable, match your outfit, and last a long time. With a handy clasp chart and care tips.
You see a pair of earrings online that you immediately like, you order them, and when they arrive, they turn out to be heavier than expected, or the clasp doesn't fit your piercings. Sound familiar? Choosing earrings seems simple, but there are a few things that make the difference between a pair you wear daily and a pair that stays in the box. In this guide, we'll go through the most important choices: the type of clasp, the material, weight and length, and how to keep your earrings clean and intact.
Start with the clasp
The clasp determines how your earrings stay on and how easy they are to put on and take off. Roughly speaking, there are four types you'll encounter most often.
Type
How it works
Good for
Stud (ear studs)
Straight post through the piercing, with a pushback or screw back
Daily wear, small designs, sensitive ears
Hoop (earring)
Round hoop that clicks or hinges through the piercing
A striking basic look without a dangle
Dangle earring
Hook (French hook) from which the design dangles
Statement looks and longer styles
Clip-on
Clips onto the earlobe, no piercing needed
For those without piercings or who want to save them
Do you have newly pierced ears or ears that get irritated quickly? Then light studs with a good pushback are often the most comfortable. If you want to make a statement, look for dangle earrings. The Gold Snake Earrings 8.4 cm (€ 25.00) and the Black Snake Earrings 7.2 cm (€ 25.00) are typical dangle earrings that instantly complete your look.
Material and sensitive ears
If your earlobes quickly itch or turn red after wearing earrings, it's often due to the material that touches the piercing. Nickel is the most common culprit. In the European Union, there is therefore a limit to how much nickel jewelry can release during prolonged skin contact; for posts that are in a piercing, this limit is stricter than for jewelry that only rests on the skin. These rules are set out in the so-called nickel restriction under the REACH regulation (Annex XVII). If you want to know the exact details, check the website of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
In practice, this means: if you have sensitive ears, pay attention to the post and preferably choose materials that release little to no nickel, such as surgical steel. For the dangling part of an earring — which barely touches your skin — you have more freedom in color and finish. If you're unsure about a specific pair? Always consider the material of the post, and don't wear new earrings for an entire day the first time you try them on.
Weight, length, and the occasion
Large earrings often look more exciting in a photo than they feel on your ear. For longer styles, two things matter: the weight (does it pull on your earlobe?) and the length (does it touch your collar or hair?). For a long day or a party where you'll be moving a lot, a lighter design is more comfortable. For a photo or a short occasion, a heavier statement piece is perfectly fine.
Party or night out: a striking dangle earring that matches your outfit.
Gift: a playful, witty design in a nice box.
Sensitive ears: pay attention to the post and gradually increase wearing time.
Maintenance: how to keep them beautiful
Earrings last longer if you store them dry and separately. Sweat, perfume, and hairspray are the biggest enemies of the finish. A few simple habits help tremendously:
Put your earrings on last and take them off first, i.e., after applying makeup and hairspray.
Wipe them with a soft, dry cloth after wearing them.
Store them separately so they don't scratch; a compartment box prevents tangles and getting lost.
Do not store them in the bathroom — moisture accelerates discoloration.
A simple solution is a flat jewelry box such as the Black Jewelry Box 9 x 6.5 x 2.8 cm (€ 2.95). Handy for keeping your pairs separate and also great for giving a gift.
In short
First, choose the clasp that suits your ears and use, pay attention to the material of the post if you have sensitive ears, and consider weight and length for comfort. Then, store them neatly and dry. This way, you'll buy earrings that you actually wear instead of pairs that stay in the drawer.
Ready to choose? View the entire range in the Earrings collection and find a storage box in the Jewelry & Watches collection. Questions about a specific pair or sizing? Feel free to email us at info@verpakkingdeals.nl — we're happy to help.
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