The Atelier Journal

The Earring Style Glossary: Studs, Hoops, Jhumkas & More

The EARFYNE Atelier4 November 20251 min read

The short answer Earrings fall into six broad styles: studs (sit flush on the lobe), hoops (a closed or near-closed circle), jhumkas (bell-shaped, traditional Indian), chandbali (crescent-moon frame with a drop), drops (dangle below the lobe), and ear cuffs (wrap the ear, often without a piercing). Size ranges from 6mm studs to 70mm+ statement jhumkas.

What makes a stud a stud?

A stud sits directly on the earlobe with no drop or swing — the setting is the whole earring. Studs range from 6mm to 12mm and suit everyday wear because they don't catch on hair, scarves or phone calls. Ours run from the 6mm Platinum Eclipse Solitaire to the 18mm Aurelia Diamond Drop Studs, which despite the name sit close rather than dangling.

Hoops: from huggies to statement circles

A hoop is a closed or near-closed circle threaded through the lobe. 'Huggie' hoops (under 15mm) hug the ear closely; anything over 25mm reads as a statement piece. Our Solstice range spans both, from the 20mm Mini Hoop Pair to the 32mm Textured Gold Hoops.

Jhumka and chandbali: the traditional bell and crescent

A jhumka is bell- or dome-shaped, traditionally worn with sarees and lehengas, and can run from 40mm to 75mm for full bridal pieces. A chandbali takes a crescent-moon (chand, meaning moon) frame with a drop below — ours, the Royal Kundan Chandbali, measures 62mm and is set with uncut polki.

Drops and ear cuffs

A drop earring has a fixed point at the lobe and length below it — anywhere from 20mm to 40mm in our range. An ear cuff wraps around the upper ear (the helix) and, depending on design, needs no piercing at all; ours are designed for a single lobe piercing plus the cuff for a multi-piercing look.