Sparkly, dangly, and shiny, most everyone can appreciate a good pair of earrings. Hinged earrings are both practical and lovely, a jewelry staple than can be casual or extravagant, depending on your preference.
Not Unhinged
Hinged earrings use a hinged joint to remain closed and on the ear lobe. The front of the earring is connected to a bar that's on a hinge joint, that locks into place behind the lobe. Some prefer this style of closure over fish hook styles or studs with stoppers, as there is less weight and pressure on the lobe. Hinged earrings are able to take on more weight, distributing it across the bar, rather than simply pulling down on or squeezing the lobe.
This allows them to be made of thicker materials, or utilize more gemstone settings. Because of this, they can vary greatly in size, weight and in how they frame the face. Hinged earrings are also less likely to fly off if the wearer engages in sudden strenuous activity, making them great for young girls who don't always remember to remove their jewelry before gym or playtime.
Types of Hinge Earrings
Most hinged earrings are hoop earrings. Hinged hoops offer a classic look, with and without gemstone accents. They are typically made with sterling silver, gold or platinum metal bodies, though stainless steel or with inlaid materials like turquoise are also possible.
That's not to say hoops are the only option when you're looking at hinged earrings. Some drop earrings use an oblong hinge to hang their stone elements, creating a look that's elegant and more comfortable than post earrings. These are sometimes called lever-back earrings and they offer a great deal of variety in terms of stone, weight and face framing.
