The Earring Buying Guide

Studs, Hoops, Drops & Clusters — Finding the Perfect Pair

Earrings are the easiest piece of jewellery to wear every day and the hardest to get exactly right. The style you choose changes how it catches the light, how it sits against your face shape and hair, and how appropriate it is for everyday wear versus a special occasion. This guide walks through the four classic earring styles — studs, hoops, drops and clusters — with a few of our favourite brand new pieces from each, so you can find the pair that suits you or the person you're buying for. Every piece is hand-inspected by our in-house team in Liverpool and backed by our authenticity guarantee.

Stud Earrings

Studs sit directly on the earlobe for a clean, close-to-the-skin look. They're the most versatile earring style there is — subtle enough for the office, sparkly enough for evening, and easy to wear alongside other jewellery without competing for attention. A good pair of diamond or gemstone studs is one of the most reached-for pieces in any jewellery box.

9ct Yellow Gold Bee Stud Earrings

A playful, brand new stud in warm 9ct yellow gold, cast as a delicate bee in flight. Small enough for everyday wear yet distinctive enough to stand out from a plain ball or disc stud, and secured with a comfortable butterfly clasp. The perfect gift for any animal lover.

0.50ct Yellow Gold Round Diamond Stud Earrings

A generous 0.50ct total weight of laboratory grown round brilliant diamonds, set in yellow gold. Lab grown diamonds are chemically, physically and optically identical to natural diamonds, letting you step up in size without stepping up in price.

2.15ct Yellow Gold Emerald-Cut Diamond Stud Earrings

A striking pair of emerald-cut laboratory grown diamonds totalling 2.15ct, set in 18ct yellow gold and independently SGL certified. The clean, elongated facets of an emerald cut give a different kind of sparkle to a round brilliant, making this a true statement stud.

Hoop Earrings

Hoops bring movement and a bit more presence than a stud, while still being easy to wear day to day. From a small huggie that barely leaves the ear to a bold split-tone hoop, this is the style to reach for when you want an earring that's noticed the moment you turn your head.

9ct Yellow Gold Cubic Zirconia Huggie Hoop Earrings

A brand new huggie hoop set with sparkling cubic zirconia, designed to hug close to the earlobe. Secured with a simple hinge clasp for easy, everyday wear.

1.10ct Yellow Gold Diamond Hoop Earrings

An elegant, elongated hoop in 18ct yellow gold, set with 14 laboratory grown diamonds totalling 1.10ct across a striking mix of round brilliant, baguette and pear cuts. Exceptional VS clarity and G colour give these hoops real brilliance and fire for a fraction of the cost of natural diamonds of the same size.

9ct Yellow Gold Tube Hoop Earrings

A bold pair of 9ct yellow gold tube hoop earrings with a sleek polished finish. Weighing 3.8g, their tubular design creates a striking look while remaining lightweight and comfortable for everyday wear. Finished with secure hinge fasteners, these oversized hoops are a stylish luxury gift for any occasion.

Cluster Earrings

Cluster earrings group multiple diamonds or gemstones together to maximise sparkle and perceived size for the carat weight involved — ideal if you want a statement earring without the price tag of a single large stone. These are our showstoppers, built for special occasions and to be handed down.

9ct Yellow Gold Pearl Drop Earrings

A cascade of twelve freshwater pearls falling from a hook fastener, giving genuine movement as you walk. A graceful choice for a June birthday or as a classic alternative to diamond drops.

9ct Yellow Gold Cubic Zirconia Leaf Drop Earrings

A brand new leaf-shaped drop in warm 9ct yellow gold, edged with sparkling cubic zirconia and hung from a simple bolt ring fastener. A pretty, nature-inspired drop that moves gently with you through the day.

9ct Yellow Gold Mother Of Pearl Drop Earrings

A smooth mother of pearl drop in 9ct yellow gold, prized for the soft, shifting shimmer that runs across its surface as it catches the light. A refined, understated drop earring that pairs as easily with jeans as with eveningwear.

Drop Earrings

Drops hang below the earlobe, adding length and movement that studs and hoops don't. They're a natural choice for anyone who wants their earrings to be a focal point — perfect for updos, evening wear, or simply when you want to feel a little more dressed.

18ct White Gold Diamond Cluster Stud Earrings

Fifty-eight round brilliant natural diamonds set edge to edge in cool 18ct white gold, giving this pair the look of a much larger single stone. A serious diamond earring for anyone who wants maximum sparkle in a wearable stud shape.

18ct White Gold Emerald & Diamond Halo Cluster Earrings

A central oval-cut emerald in each earring, ringed by a halo of diamonds in cool 18ct white gold. A refined take on the cluster style for anyone drawn to emerald's rich green over the more traditional diamond or sapphire centre stone. May's birthstone at its most elegant.

18ct White Gold Diamond Cluster Earrings

A generous 1.82ct total weight of natural diamonds set in a round halo cluster in 18ct white gold, secured with screw backs for extra peace of mind. A serious diamond earring with real substance and sparkle, for anyone who wants a genuine statement piece rather than a subtle stud.

Miltons
Diamonds

For over a century, Miltons Diamonds has been a family-run business built on integrity, craftsmanship and exceptional service. From our early beginnings to becoming one of the UK’s most trusted names in luxury watches and fine jewellery.

Free Delivery & Gift Wrapping

Free next-day UK delivery on every order, with complimentary gift wrapping included as standard.

2-Year Warranty

All watches undergo thorough inspection for water resistance, accuracy and authenticity, checked by at least two members of our watch team. Rolex watches are backed by a 2-year Miltons Diamonds warranty; all other watch brands carry a 1-year warranty.

In-House Experts

Every diamond is graded and every piece of jewellery inspected by our in-house FGA/DGA-qualified gemmologists before listing.

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