Throwing on a necklace or a bracelet is a great way to take your look from a five to a ten quickly and efficiently. But throwing on a necklace doesn’t require any real work. Earrings, on the other hand, show that you’re committed to achieving your best look. They’re one of the only jewelry items that require a permanent body modification.

This level of commitment shouldn’t go unnoticed, and it won’t as long as you know what you’re doing. Men’s earrings are one of the boldest accessories you can ever wear, but they’re also one of the most difficult to pull off properly.

2021 has been a year of change, and the world of jewelry is constantly evolving with it. Because of that, you should know a thing or two about the current trends in earrings before you get buying.

Here’s everything you need to know about buying men’s earrings in 2021:

Be a Stud by Wearing Studs

The first thing you want to figure out is exactly what type of earring you want to wear. There are a few different styles available:

• Studs: These attach to the earlobe and don’t dangle. Studs usually look like one solid gemstone and can come in different colors/

• Dangle Earrings: Dangle earrings hang from the earlobe. They come in all shapes and sizes, from straight bars to religious symbols, to logos and design

• Hoops: Hoop earrings attach at the earlobe and create a ring that connects one end to the other. Smaller hoops are more common in men’s jewelry, whereas you may see larger hoops being flaunted by women.

• Gauges: Some may argue that these aren’t actually considered earrings, but gauges go inside of the earlobe and gradually stretch out the opening. Some people keep their gauges small, whereas some people expand their earlobe diameter to unimaginable widths.

You can have the freedom to pick and choose whichever style suits you best. But in 2021, studs seem to be most common for men. This is likely because they are simple to pull off and tend to work with most other outfits. They’re also a bit more subtle and can still be worn when going to the gym or being active in other capacities.

They’re low in maintenance but high in quality. Especially if you’re new to wearing earrings, studs are a great place to start before moving onto some of the bolder styles, like dangling pieces or hoops.

Focus on the Gem

When you wear a chain, you need to think about a lot more than just the gemstones along its surface. You need to think about the length, the width, and its potential to hold a pendant.

12mm Diamond Cuban Chain White Gold

But for earrings, you really only need to focus on the stone.

Studs are pretty much only a gemstone, so that’s what everyone is going to see. With that in mind, you want to think about what color and style you’re looking to achieve when you step out of the house.

Round Cut Diamond Earrings

A classic look is a round cut diamond. These are circular studs with a glistening diamond that reflects the light perfectly. It’s the first thing people will notice when they look at your face. In general, pure diamond works with anything, so this is a great starter earring that pairs with whatever your heart desires.

Princess Cut Diamond Earrings

But we’ve been stuck inside our houses for so long, so why not try something a bit more bold for 2021. You can amplify this classic style by just changing the shape of the diamond to a princess cut. Don’t let the name fool you -- this design is fit for a king.

Its square shape gives you a bit more surface area on that diamond to show off even more of your finesse. It doesn’t overpower the rest of your appearance, but it does give you an enhancement to the typical stud. This is the type of look that you can expect to see more of in 2021.

Don’t Be Afraid To Budge on the Budget

Let’s face it -- the pandemic hurt our wallets just as much as our minds. If money’s tight, you don’t need to break the bank to get yourself a quality earring.

Cubic zirconia is known as a diamond simulant. It looks just like a real diamond with its sheen and luster, but it just costs a lot less. Even though its durability prowess will take a hit, proper maintenance will let you enjoy your studs for years to come.

You can get diamond simulants from almost any jeweler. They’re a good idea for things like earrings that are small enough so that the trained eye still won’t be able to tell it’s not fully genuine.

With all of this said, if you’ve still got a stimulus check burning a hole in your pocket, there’s nothing better than flaunting some pure diamond on your ears. Diamond is the hardest known material on planet Earth; nothing except another diamond can scratch it.

So if you pay a little extra for a pure diamond, you’ll get a little extra in return. Plus, you get the bragging rights of being able to tell everyone that you’re wearing one of the most precious rocks on the planet.

Think About Color

Diamonds are known for their iconic translucent appearance, but that’s not the only way they come. You can get different colored diamonds or diamond simulants to better suit your style.

One of our personal favorites for 2021 is the black diamond. These stand out in ways that typical diamonds just don’t, and this unique look is something that will really catch some attention when you can finally return to the clubs.

However, your gem isn’t the only thing that’s going to have some color -- the metal holding onto your gem matters too. Most of these will range from traditional gold to white gold, but you might be able to find some that incorporate other colors as well.

The only rule here is to make sure the metal complements the gem. For instance, pure diamonds work best with white gold, whereas a black diamond might look a bit better with traditional gold.

And you want to think about its material too. Gold plated base metals tend to be low quality, but they’re extremely inexpensive. And gold vermeil is of a higher quality but runs a higher price tag. It’s really up to you, depending on how much maintenance you’re willing to give.

A Complete Look From Head to Toe

Diamond earrings aren’t just a girl’s best friend anymore. Men’s earrings look polished and pristine on any guy, especially in 2021.

You can wear any type of earring you want, but if you want to show off the diamond, you want to get some studs. Round cut studs are a classic for any occasion, but princess cuts are square shaped and look bolder. 

You also don’t need to break the bank to look like a million bucks. Diamonds are expensive, and if the pandemic unemployment hasn’t run you dry, there’s nothing better than popping off with a pure gem. But if you need, diamond simulants like cubic zirconia look just like the real thing without “real thing” prices.

It’s hard to go wrong with your diamond earrings this year. The sky is the limit when it comes to fashion options, so just keep experimenting until you find what works best for you.

Sources:

Cubic Zirconia vs. Diamond: Beauty, Quality, and Value | The Diamond Pro

Moissanite vs. Diamond: Beauty, Durability, and Price | Gem Society

How to Clean an Ear Piercing | Healthline