Gold Stud and Huggie Earrings Guide for Everyday and Extra Piercings

The best gold studs and huggies for everyday wear are small, smooth and secure: a 3 to 6 mm stud or a 10 to 13 mm huggie in solid 14K gold that you can forget you are wearing. Studs sit on the front of the lobe, huggies wrap around it, and both work for first, second and third piercings once the piercing has healed.

Because these are the earrings people keep on for weeks at a time, the details count: the type of back, how the stones are set, and whether the piece snags on a pillow or a sweater. Our goldsmiths share what to look for below.

Studs vs huggies at a glance

Many people wear both: a stud in one hole and a huggie in the next. If you want bigger, swingier hoops, our gold hoop earrings guide covers sizes and closures.

Everyday gold studs

A good everyday stud is low profile, so it does not catch on hair or collars, and sits flat against the lobe. Our simplest option is a high-polish ball stud, a small dome of gold that reflects light softly and suits every outfit. Heart studs, either pave CZ or open outlines, add a little personality while staying small enough for daily wear.

14K Solid Gold Ball Stud Earrings View Ball Stud Earrings on Etsy 14K Solid Gold Pave CZ Heart Stud Earrings View Pave CZ Heart Stud Earrings on Etsy 14K Solid Gold Pave CZ Open Heart Stud Earrings View Pave CZ Open Heart Stud Earrings on Etsy

Size is easy to judge once you know the numbers. A 3 mm stud is a tiny glint, ideal for an upper lobe. A 4 to 5 mm stud is the classic everyday size that shows clearly without looking busy. Anything from 6 mm up starts to read as a feature earring, which suits a first hole or an evening look. If you are unsure, go one size smaller than you think: small studs are the ones people end up wearing most.

For more polish, pearl studs framed in a halo of CZ bring brightness close to the face and are popular for weddings and work. Pearls are softer than gold, so put them on after perfume and hairspray. Our pearl jewelry guide covers their care.

Huggies for a close, secure fit

Huggies are tiny hoops with a hinged bar that clicks shut. There is no separate back to drop down the sink, which is why they suit people who wear their earrings around the clock. Plain domed huggies look clean and modern; ribbed or diamond-cut huggies catch more light; and huggies set with baguette and pear cut stones bring sparkle to a second hole.

14K Solid Gold Huggie Hoop Earrings Thick Domed Band View Huggie Hoop Earrings Thick Domed Band on Etsy 14K Solid Gold Ribbed Oval Huggie Hoop Earrings View Ribbed Oval Huggie Hoop Earrings on Etsy 14K Solid Gold Huggie Hoop Earrings with Baguette and Pear Cut Stones View Huggie Hoop Earrings with Baguette and Pear Cut Stones on Etsy

Check the inner diameter on each listing. A 12 mm huggie fits most lobes snugly, while a slightly larger one leaves a little more room on a thicker lobe.

Choosing earrings for second and third piercings

Once your piercings have fully healed, the general rule is simple: the higher the hole, the smaller the earring.

1. First hole: your main earring, from a stud to a medium hoop.
2. Second hole: a slightly smaller stud or a huggie, so the eye moves upward.
3. Third hole or upper lobe: the smallest stud or a tiny plain huggie.

Keep your metals and finishes related so the ear looks considered rather than crowded. Mixing yellow and white gold is fine, but it works best when repeated, for example a white gold pearl stud with a two-tone hoop. Our yellow, white and rose gold guide explains how to combine them.

A note on new piercings: a fresh piercing should be done and cared for by a professional piercer, who will advise when you can change to your own jewelry. Our earrings are designed for healed piercings.

Earring backs and closures explained

• Push backs (butterfly backs): the most common stud back. Easy to use, but they can loosen over time. Gently pinch the loops closer if they slip.
• Screw backs: the post is threaded and the back screws on. Very secure, slower to put on.
• Silicone or rubber backs: comfortable for sleeping and good as an extra stopper behind a metal back.
• Hinged click closures: used on huggies, with nothing to lose.

Each Etsy listing shows the closure type for that pair. If you prefer a particular back, send us a message and Şerif will tell you what fits.

CZ stones in studs and huggies

Most of our sparkling studs and huggies are set with cubic zirconia, and we always say so. CZ is a lab-made crystal that is bright, clear and durable for daily wear. It is not a diamond and we never describe it as one. For an honest comparison, read diamond vs cubic zirconia. When you see "diamond-cut" in one of our titles, it means the gold has been faceted to sparkle, not that diamonds are set in it.

Pave stones are small, so a quick weekly look under a light will tell you that every one is secure. Our lifetime craftsmanship guarantee covers settings.

14K Solid Gold Pearl Halo Stud Earrings View Pearl Halo Stud Earrings on Etsy 14K Solid Gold North Star Necklace and Huggie Earrings Set View North Star Necklace and Huggie Earrings Set on Etsy

Wearing, sleeping and cleaning

Solid 14K gold handles daily wear, showers and sleep better than plated jewelry because there is no coating to wear through. Small studs and smooth huggies are the most comfortable to sleep in. Stones and pearls collect lotion and soap, so clean them gently with warm water, a drop of mild soap and a soft brush, then dry. See can you sleep in gold jewelry and how to clean gold jewelry at home for details.

Studs and huggies also make easy gifts because there is no size to guess. For more ideas, see gold jewelry gifts for her or browse all gold earrings. Every order arrives in our illuminated jewelry box with free tracked, insured express shipping to the USA, UK and Europe.

Frequently asked questions

Can I wear gold huggies every day?

Yes. Solid 14K gold huggies with a click closure are made for daily wear and are comfortable to sleep in. Clean them every few weeks to keep them bright.

What size stud is best for a second piercing?

A small stud of around 3 to 5 mm usually works best, slightly smaller than the earring in your first hole. Tiny plain huggies are another good option.

Are the stones in your studs real diamonds?

No. Our sparkling studs use cubic zirconia unless a listing names a natural stone. We describe CZ plainly and never call it a diamond.

How do I stop stud backs from loosening?

Gently squeeze the loops of a push back closer together, or add a silicone back behind it. Screw backs are the most secure option.

Can I put gold huggies in a new piercing?

Ask your piercer first. Fresh piercings need jewelry chosen and fitted by a professional; our earrings are intended for healed piercings.