Earrings are one of the types of accessories that can be worn in hundreds of different ways. By wearing different gold pearl earrings, a simply everyday outfit can be instantly transformed into a special occasion outfit. Earrings come in various types of metals, jewels, gemstones and other decorative elements. Choosing the style and type of earring will depend on a few different factors such as the type of metal used for the setting, the length of the earrings and the overall design. When buying earrings as a gift it is beneficial to know the different types of metals and the shape of earring the recipient prefers to wear. Earrings also come in styles such as antique, costume or trendy designs.

Earring Types

Some people are allergic to various types of metals or are sensitive to wearing a particular metal, so if you are giving a pair of yellow gold pearl drop earrings, it may help to first determine if the person will be able to wear yellow gold as well as if they enjoy wearing drop style earrings. Drop earrings are those that hang below the earlobe. They are known by several different names such as chandelier, hanging, loose, long or dangle earrings.

Antique Earrings

Shopping for a gift to give to an older adult, styles such as white gold pearl stud earrings are a great choice because they have somewhat of an antique look to them. Antique earrings with pearls can be made from either sterling silver or gold and they may have a combination of pearls and other gemstones in the design. Antique earrings have a special gracefulness to them that make them appealing to almost everyone. New earrings can also be found that have an antique design to them. They are as lovely as an original pair of antique earrings, however, they are typically less expensive.

Costume Jewelry

When you are on a budget, buying a pair of 14 karat gold pearl drop earrings may be out of the budget, however, a pair of quality costume jewelry earrings may be the perfect alternative. Costume jewelry has improved in quality over recent years and often times looks extremely similar to real gold earrings. When buying earrings that are costume jewelry it is important to keep in mind that the metals are not typically real gold, but instead gold plated silver or another less expensive metal. If you or the person the earrings are for is allergic to metals of lesser quality, the gold plating may cause an allergic reaction.

Gold Earrings

Earrings made from gold are always going to be a classic, fashionable style. There are different variations of gold available including different classifications known as karats and there are different colors including yellow and white. The purity of gold earrings is determined by the karat number including 10 karat, 12 karat, 14 karat, 18 karat and 24 karat. The karat classification determines the gold percentage in each piece of jewelry. Earrings that are crafted from 24 karat gold are considered to be pure gold. The higher the gold classification, the softer the gold, therefore, although a pair of 24 karat gold earrings would be expensive and gorgeous, it is not recommended that this high of a gold content be used for earrings that are worn daily as they may be easily damaged due to the softness of the gold. Some earrings may also be either gold plated or gold filled. These are less expensive and not as high of a quality and they will likely either fade in color or tarnish easily.

White Gold

A pair of while gold pearl earrings is crafted from white gold which has been made by alloying yellow gold with silver, palladium or rhodium, all of which are used to enhance the white color of the gold. White gold is an excellent option for people who prefer the light color of sterling silver, but would prefer to have gold. When white gold is properly cared for, it can last a lifetime. White gold earrings should always be removed before showering or swimming to avoid damage from the chemicals. If a pair of white gold earrings happens to begin fading, by simply taking the earrings to a jeweler, they can apply a coat of rhodium to the earrings to bring back the white gold effect.

Yellow Gold

Yellow gold has been a popular fashion accessory for centuries and will continue to be a favorite for centuries to come. A pair of yellow gold and golden pearl earrings is an attractive design and has a very elegant appearance. Also appealing to wearers of all ages are a pair of gold stud and gold pearl earrings with a single pearl. Yellow gold comes a variety of price ranges which makes it affordable for everyone. A small pair of 10 karat gold stud earrings can typically be purchased for under $50 and they are going to last and be as lovely as a pair of 24 karat gold earrings valued at thousands of dollars.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver earrings are simply stunning and can be worn for everyday use as well as a special occasion. The majority of brides choose to wear sterling silver jewelry on their wedding day because of the light color and the beauty a pair of silver earrings provides to the overall accessories. Silver typically contains about 92% of the silver metal and about 8% of another type of metal such as copper or nickel. The  mixture between the two metals provides strength to the silver as well as makes it easier to shape and provides a luster to the silver. The combination of silver with another metal also makes the jewelry last for years.

Earrings are so versatile in style, design and craftsmanship. There are as many different styles of earrings as there are the amount of people to wear them. When buying earrings for yourself, always buy what appeals to you in regards to gold or silver as well as the size of pearl or other gem that is part of the setting. When you buy a pair of earrings with a pearl, diamond or other gem, it is important to care for the jewel and the gold correctly to avoid damaging the earrings.