Hoop earrings have never been more popular than they are right now. This year, we’ve seen this classic style of earring worn all over fashion runways and red carpets. A symbol of female empowerment, hoop earrings are a versatile jewelry staple that every woman should own. But there’s more to buying hoop earrings than simply picking out a random pair from the jewelry case. Here’s everything you should keep in mind when purchasing your own pair of hoop earrings.

Metal: Most jewelry connoisseurs have a favorite metal. Some prefer the classic look of yellow gold while others prefer the more contemporary rose gold. And then there’s platinum, white gold, and sterling silver. If you like the silvery/white look of these three metals but aren’t sure which one is the right metal for you, here are some important distinguishing features to keep in mind. Platinum is the most durable of the three but will cost more than the other two. It’s also hypoallergenic, which means anyone can wear it, even those with highly sensitive metal allergies. Sterling silver is the most affordable of the three, but is also less durable and may tarnish over time. White gold can also change color over time as its white rhodium layer wears off, but this metal can be an excellent option for those preferring something more durable than sterling silver and less costly than platinum.

Size: Hoop earrings can range anywhere in size from small huggies that fit close to the ear to large hoops that take up a third of your face. The size you get should all depend on your personal preference. Do you usually like wearing studs and petite dangle earrings? If so, then there’s a good chance that smaller hoops will be the best option for you. If you like big, bold pieces of jewelry, you’ll probably like the larger hoops the most. To find your go-to size, we recommend trying on a variety of different sizes and seeing which one you prefer.

Hoop Thickness:  Like their size, hoop earrings can come in a variety of different thicknesses. We often see large hoop earrings leaning towards the thin side and smaller hoop earrings being thicker (but not always). This makes larger hoops a little more affordable and smaller hoops a little more substantial.

Gemstones: Some people prefer plain hoops while others like showcasing gemstones in their hoop earrings. If you’re part of the latter group, then there are a few more choices you’ll have to make regarding the gemstones in your hoops. The first is the type of gemstone you’d like in your hoops. By far, the most popular gemstone for hoop earrings is diamond, but almost any gemstone can be incorporated into a hoop. The next decision you’ll have to make is whether or not to include the gemstones on the inside of the hoop as well as the outside. We typically see the inside/outside hoop design in larger earrings, where the inside of the hoop is more easily seen.

Finally, you’ll have to decide how you’d like the gemstones to be set. The two most popular setting options are prong set and channel set. A prong setting will allow more sunlight to reach the gemstones, creating extra sparkle. But a channel setting will provide the maximum amount of protection for your gemstones.

Closure:  The two most popular types of hoop earring closures are hinged and continuous/endless. With hinged hoop earrings, a curved post on the inside of the earring snaps into a latch to secure the earring. In hoops with an endless/continuous design, the post slides into the hollow hoop end for a seamless appearance.

 

For more information on hoop earrings, contact Kloiber Jewelers at info@kloiberjewelers.com or 414-276-2457.

To view some of our hoop earring collection, click here.