The Complete Guide to Earrings: Materials, Styling, and Quality
Earrings frame the face and set the tone for your entire personal style. A well-chosen piece of jewelry can elevate a simple everyday outfit or add the finishing touch to a formal ensemble. At STRØM, we focus on offering a carefully curated selection of jewelry that combines modern design with high-quality materials. The jewelry market is constantly evolving, and according to global industry analyses, the jewelry sector is expected to grow steadily in the coming years. For consumers, this means a wider selection, but also a greater need to navigate different qualities, materials, and styling options.
Our Jewelry Selection at STRØM
We curate our jewelry selection with the same precision as our clothing collections. Our focus is on brands that offer a strong design language and high-quality craftsmanship. In our collection, you’ll primarily find jewelry from Ragbag and Sofie Ladefoged. Ragbag is known for its sculptural approach to design, where asymmetry and organic shapes create a modern look. Sofie Ladefoged works with a more raw and architectural design language.
Different Types of Earrings
To build a versatile jewelry collection, it helps to know the basic categories of earrings. Each type has its own function and aesthetic.
Stud Earrings
Stud earrings are the foundation of most jewelry collections. They sit close to the earlobe and offer a subtle yet elegant look. They’re ideal for everyday wear and work perfectly as a base if you have multiple piercings. A simple stud in sterling silver or gold can be worn with everything from casual everyday outfits to a formal dress.
Hoops
Hoops are circular earrings that come in countless thicknesses and diameters. Small, thick hoop earrings (often called huggies) hug the earlobe tightly and create a compact look. Larger hoop earrings add more movement and work well as a focal point in your look.
Dangle Earrings
Dangle earrings add length and movement. They can range from simple chains to intricate designs featuring pearls and gemstones. This type of jewelry catches the light with every movement and draws attention to the face and neck.
Earcuffs
Earcuffs do not require a pierced ear. They clamp onto the cartilage of the ear and allow you to experiment with different placements. They are an excellent way to create an asymmetrical and modern look without committing to a permanent piercing.
Materials and Quality: What Should You Look For?
The choice of materials determines both the jewelry’s longevity and its visual appeal. The most common materials in the high-quality segment are 925 sterling silver and solid gold in either 14-karat or 18-karat.
Sterling silver consists of 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent copper. The copper is added to give the metal the necessary strength, as pure silver is too soft for jewelry production. Many silver jewelry pieces are gold-plated with a thin layer of gold to achieve a warmer look. It’s important to remember that gold plating wears off over time, especially when exposed to water, perfume, and sweat.
How do you style earrings?
Earring styling has evolved significantly in recent years. Whereas people used to primarily wear a single, matching pair, modern styling is largely about “ear curation” (the art of combining multiple pieces of jewelry on one ear). If you have multiple piercings, a wealth of opportunities opens up for creating a personal look.
A basic rule for styling multiple pieces of jewelry together is to work with proportions. Place the heaviest or most voluminous pieces in the bottom piercing, and let the jewelry gradually get smaller and lighter the higher up the ear they are. For example, you could start with a statement hoop at the bottom, follow it with a smaller stud featuring a cubic zirconia stone in the center, and finish with a small, smooth gold or silver bead at the top.
Asymmetry is another powerful styling technique. You don’t have to wear the same setup on both ears. A large, statement piece on one ear can be balanced by two small, discreet studs on the other. Many modern brands sell their jewelry individually precisely to encourage this kind of personalized styling. Feel free to mix metals. The combination of cool silver and warm gold breaks with traditional rules and creates a relaxed yet thoughtful look.
Which earrings suit a round face shape?
Your choice of jewelry can highlight your best features. If you have a round face shape, where the width across the cheekbones is roughly the same as the length of your face, the right jewelry can help create an illusion of length and angles.
Go for dangling earrings or teardrop-shaped designs. Jewelry that hangs vertically draws the eye downward and makes the face appear longer and slimmer. Geometric shapes like squares, rectangles, or asymmetrical angles also work exceptionally well, as they add sharpness and contrast to the face’s soft curves.
It’s a good idea to avoid very large, circular hoop earrings or studs that sit flat against the earlobe. These shapes tend to mirror the roundness of the face and can make it appear wider. Instead, choose jewelry with edge and texture from brands like Ragbag, which specializes in sculptural lines.
Care and Maintenance of Your Jewelry
To preserve your jewelry’s luster and extend its lifespan, it requires proper care. Always store your jewelry in a closed box or a fabric pouch when you are not wearing it. This protects the metals from oxidation caused by exposure to air and prevents them from being scratched by other objects.
Remove your jewelry when bathing, exercising, or sleeping. Chemicals from shampoo, chlorinated water, and perfume can break down surface treatments and cause metals to lose their luster. Freshwater pearls are particularly sensitive to chemicals and should always be put on as the very last step in your routine, after you’ve applied lotion and perfume.
Clean your silver and gold jewelry regularly with a soft cloth. For heavier tarnish, you can use lukewarm water and mild soap, but avoid abrasive cleaners. If you have jewelry with intricate details, a very soft toothbrush can be used to gently remove dirt around stones and settings.
Jewelry as Part of Your Overall Wardrobe
Jewelry rarely stands alone. It’s an integral part of your overall look and should complement your other clothing and accessory choices. A pair of edgy silver hoop earrings can add an edge to a classic outfit, while elegant pearls can soften a technical look.
At STRØM, we view fashion as a whole. Our selection spans a wide range, from swimwear collections by Alipo to comfortable sandals by Havaianas and technical running shoes by Mizuno and Salomon. We also offer high-quality socks from our socks category. Even your home can reflect your personal style with carefully curated items from our home section.
No matter how you choose to put together your wardrobe, we offer free shipping on all orders over 599 DKK. If you sign up for our newsletter, you’ll also receive a 10 percent discount on your first order (certain brands are excluded). Explore our selection and find the jewelry that best highlights your personal style.