Piercing Guide
Types of Ear Piercing Jewelry & Where to Wear Them
Not sure which type of jewelry works with your piercing? From flat back studs to hoops and barbells, different styles are designed to fit different areas of the ear.
Here's a quick guide to the most common types of ear piercing jewelry and where you can wear them.
Type 01
Flat Back Studs
Flat back studs have a straight post with a smooth, flat disc that sits behind your piercing. They’re one of the most versatile options for creating a comfortable everyday ear stack.
Why We Love Them
The smooth flat backing sits comfortably against your ear without a traditional butterfly back sticking out behind it. They’re comfortable for everyday wear and make it easy to build a curated ear stack.
New to Flat Backs? Start Here.
Changing flat backs doesn’t have to be difficult. The Easy Flat Back Starter Set pairs our flat back jewelry with the tools designed to make inserting and changing your earrings easier.
Type 02
Hoop Clickers
Hoop clickers open and close with a hinged mechanism, making them easy to insert and remove. They come in different diameters, so choosing the right size depends on your piercing placement and anatomy.
Best For These Piercings
Smaller hoops can create a snug look, while larger diameters create a looser or more statement-making fit.
Why We Love Them
Hoop clickers are one of the most versatile pieces in an ear stack. They work across many piercing placements, feel comfortable for everyday wear, and the hinged closure makes them easy to put in and take out.
Type 03
Horseshoe Barbells
Horseshoe barbells, also called circular barbells, have a curved horseshoe shape with removable ends. Their open shape creates the look of a hoop while allowing you to style decorative ends on either side.
Why We Love Them
Horseshoe barbells give you the curved look of a hoop with a more distinctive silhouette. They’re especially beautiful in cartilage piercings and make an easy statement piece within a curated ear stack.
Type 04
Curved Barbells
Curved barbells have a gently curved post with an end on either side. Their shape makes them especially useful for piercings that travel through a curved section of tissue.
Best For These Piercings
Why We Love Them
The gentle curve follows the natural shape of piercings like the rook and snug, giving you a comfortable fit while still allowing both decorative ends to become part of your ear stack.
Type 05
Huggie Hoops
Huggies are small hoops designed to sit close to the ear. They’re an easy choice for everyday lobe stacks and can be mixed with studs for a layered look.
Best For These Piercings
Why We Love Them
Huggies give you the sparkle and movement of a hoop while sitting close to the lobe. They’re comfortable, easy to layer, and perfect for building an everyday lobe stack.
Type 06
Ear Cuffs
Want the look of another piercing without actually getting pierced? Ear cuffs wrap around the edge of your ear and don’t require a piercing at all.
Why We Love Them
Ear cuffs are an easy way to add another layer to your ear stack without committing to another piercing. Put one on, move it around, or take it off whenever you want to change your look.
Quick Ear Jewelry Guide
- Lobe Flat back studs, hoop clickers, huggies and horseshoe barbells
- Helix Flat back studs, hoop clickers, horseshoe barbells and ear cuffs
- Forward Helix Flat back studs, hoop clickers and horseshoe barbells
- Flat Flat back studs
- Tragus Flat back studs, hoop clickers and horseshoe barbells
- Conch Flat back studs, hoop clickers, horseshoe barbells and ear cuffs
- Rook Hoop clickers, horseshoe barbells and curved barbells
- Daith Hoop clickers, horseshoe barbells and curved barbells
- Snug Hoop clickers and curved barbells
- Anti-Tragus Hoop clickers and curved barbells
Build Your Perfect Ear Stack
The best jewelry for you depends on your piercing placement, anatomy, gauge, and the look you’re trying to create.
Mix flat back studs, hoops, barbells and cuffs to create an ear stack that’s completely your own.