Throughout much of their history, earrings have been a symbol of status. They’ve been worn by royalty for centuries and always upgrade an outfit, bringing out the true beauty in a person's features. While necklaces draw more attention to the lower part of our face, earrings highlight our entire face, engaging with our standout attributes, like our face shape, eye color, and skin type. Therefore, it's important to pick the right necklace to emphasize the right things.

The UAE is known for having the finest-grade jewelry and we've provided recommendations for where to get the best earrings you can find. While you can't go wrong with the quality, you might stumble on the style. There's an ideal earring for every face shape, skin tone, and event. We'll discuss how to unlock the full potential of an earring in this article.

But first, let’s consider the origins of the earring.

• Overview of the different types of earrings available in the market

II. History of earrings

Historically, earrings have been worn by both men and women as a defining feature of their culture. They were worn in the middle east as early as 4000 years ago, and Persian soldiers wore earrings as protective amulets before riding into battle. Pharaohs also wore earrings with precious gems to show how important they were. (Fun fact: their cats wore them too.)

Earrings got less popular in the middle ages but made a resurgence in the renaissance when women started fashioning precious gemstones on their ear lobes. The most popular style at this time was the stud and drop earring, with pearl earrings being the most coveted gem.

III. Different types of earrings

• Stud earrings A stud is a small metal earring that is usually just a point on the earlobe. They tend to be lightweight and understated, admired for the way they subtly give a pop of color to an outfit. A stud is one way to get an affordable earring with precious metal or to add a wink of dazzle to a more understated outfit. Studs are a staple in every wardrobe and are one of the most popular types of earrings.

Get them in gold, silver, platinum, or copper for a timeless, classic style.

• Hoop earrings

Hoops are an undeniably popular earring across several cultures. From the Romans to the Egyptians to as far back as the Nubians, they were a frequent fixture in designer wear. They are pretty universally loved, as the circular shape tends to give symmetry to one’s features. You can get them light and thin or thick and heavy, and they are versatile enough to go with most ensembles.

In fact, in certain cultures hoops are used to represent independence, defiance, and boldness. The hoop- even if it’s the smallest version- tends to stand out and give your outfit an exotic appeal. A simple gold hoop can turn a casual outfit into an iconic one.

• Drop earrings

Drop earrings are a type of earring that hangs from the earlobe by a thin string with a gem typically attached to the end of it. They’re unique in that they call attention not only to the features but also to the individual's motion. The earrings move with the neck and in that way, they emphasize one's stature, poise, and grace.

The gems at the end of the earring are also important. Historically, those gems were used to symbolize culture, class, or beliefs. They could be crucial talismans, family heirlooms, or lucky charms. Another important feature of the drop earring is that they tend to have more variety in style and stones. Unlike most other jewelry which only features gold, silver and sometimes platinum, drop earrings can really help you stand out with emeralds, pearls, rubies, and other rare gems. Read more about gold earrings and silver earrings here.

Pearls are especially sought-after amongst high society and Dubai has a long, illustrious history in the pearl trade.

There's no better place to buy a pearl earring.

• Chandelier earrings

A chandelier earring is a more elaborate type of drop earring. Instead of a string, the earring fans out from the earlobe in a diamond or circular woven pattern. This is the earring for making a statement. Typically, when it coms to design, the more detailed the better, but you want to be careful not to do too much with these.

A chandelier earring frames the entire face so it’s important to pick a style that not only matches your face shape and skin tone but also strikes the perfect balance between glamour and harmony. You want the earring to stand out but not completely overwhelm your face.

With the chandelier earring, there are also endless options for gems, designs, and metals. Since this is a statement piece, we recommend choosing an uncommon one-of-a-kind creation.

• Ear cuffs

An ear cuff is a type of earring that wraps around the earlobe rather than dangling off it. They’re a great option if you want to wear earrings without the commitment of actually getting your ears pierced. Occasionally, you might admire the look of multiple earrings on a single lobe but don't want to go through the effort and pain of getting multiple piercings. Hence, the ear cuff comes in a clutch. Just slip it on and go.

With ear cuffs, it’s important to buy one that fits your ear lobe. A tight-fitting cuff will cause discomfort and pain, but a loose fit can slip off and get lost, ruining your night. It’s best to go in-store and try it on rather than ordering it online.

• Threader earrings

Threader earrings are a minimalistic type of dangle earring, which features a very thin string hanging from the earlobe and an endpoint that is a simple continuation of the string. The point of these earrings isn’t to stand on their own but to complement stronger components of the outfit to create a an overall cohesive effect. Threader earrings are typically made in precious metal – gold, silver, platinum- and draw elegance to an outfit. The threader earring is for when you want to look effortlessly gorgeous, but not like you tried too hard.

• Huggie earrings

Huggie earrings look similar to ear cuffs except they often require a piercing. Nevertheless, the earrings hug the earlobe and create the most emphasis on the ear itself. Huggie earrings are typically circular or hexagonal and are seen as smaller hoops. The difference is that people tend to wear these higher on the earlobes.

IV. Choosing the right earrings for your face shape

As the earring draws attention to your entire face, it’s vital to pick the right earring to suit your face shape.

• Oval Face

An oval face shape is longer than it is wide, with a soft jaw and fuller cheekbones. With an oval face shape, the cheekbones aren’t too prominent, and there is more roundedness than with a square or heart-shaped face.

The keyword to keep in mind with an oval face is softness. It’s an ideal face shape because it's complemented by most earring styles, but it’s best that highlight the naturally soft contours of the face. Threader earrings and hoops are typically a great choice.

• Round face

A round face is circular and tends to feature wider cheekbones with a narrower forehead and chin. The face shape tends to look more youthful and young, so they pull off ear cuffs and funkier designs pretty well. Often, jewelry for a round face aims to add balance by lengthening the face. Drop earrings help to elongate the face. Chandelier earrings are also a good option for this face shape, as long as the design isn’t too busy at the top (as this can make the face seem even wider). Additionally, consider a threader earring for a more sophisticated look.

• Square Face

A square face is characterized by equivalent widths of the forehead, cheeks, and chin. There is little to no narrowing and the face has an overall oblong appearance. Square face shapes are often offset by rounder designs. We recommend beautiful oversize hoop earrings (thicker is better) to soften your features. These can be accompanied by huggie earrings to add a delicate note to your style.

• Heart-shaped face

A heart-shaped face (also known as the v-shaped face) is characterized by a wider forehead and an angular cheek area that slopes down in a V to a pointed chin. As this is a top-heavy face shape, it is best suited by dangle earrings or any style that is heavier at the bottom. This evens out the features of the face.

• Diamond Face

Similar to a heart-shaped face, a diamond face has a v-shape down to the chin. The difference here is that the forehead is usually thinner, making the face look longer than it is wide.

Dangle earrings and hoops also look good with this face shape, as do earrings that are wider than they are long. A variety of earring choices fit diamond face shapes but they have to be made intentionally. Pick delicate styles like the hops to create a contrast that softens your features, or more geometric designs to emphasize the angle of your face.

• Long face

A long face is simply a face that is longer than it is wide. With a longer face, you want to focus earrings on the top of the lobe so avoid dangling or threaded styles. Cuff and huggie earrings are great must-haves for this face shape.

• Triangle face

A triangle face shape has a slimmer forehead and a wider jaw. The features tend to be more angular and wide. Slimmer styles suit these face shapes more so aim for long, slender styles like the threader earring and avoid bottom heavy styles like the dangle earrings.

Here’s a handy summary

Face ShapeDo’sAvoidOval FacePick pieces that emphasize softness i.e. hoops and drop earrings.Nothing. Most earrings look good with this face shape.Round FaceElongate the face by choosing long jewelry like drop earrings, threader earrings, chandelier earrings.Top heavy jewelrySquare FaceSoften with rounder design, like hoops and huggie earrings.Overly angular, or oblong designs.Heart shaped FaceDangling designs to balance out the features. Think drop earrings, chandelier earrings and threader earrings.Top heavy jewelryLong FaceFocus earrings on the top of the ear rather than on the lobe. Go for cuff earrings and huggies.Dangling or long earrings.Triangle FaceSlimmer styles, like the threader earring.Bottom heavy styles like the drop earring.Diamond FacePick geometric design to enhance angles in your face and delicate designs to soften your features.Top heavy jewelry.

V. Popular earring styles in Dubai

Design

Geometric designs are all the rage in Dubai. Whether with hoops or dangle earrings, look for pieces with interesting architecture, that tell a story. Shops like Gafla Jewelry are popular for one-of-a-kind artisanal pieces, well known for their quality and affordability. The best thing about these earrings is that they also are uniquely Emirati, with designs that are historically significant while still holding modern appeal.

Color

Bold color is also a frequent feature of jewelry in Dubai. On a night out, expect all the glitz and glamor to be in full color. ARY Jewelers is known for this style of jewelry. Also, consider luxury brands like Cartier or Tiffany and Co who have a reputation globally for excellent design.

However, there is also a need for simpler, understated pieces with a feminine touch. This is good for an everyday look for the classy Emirati woman. Check out shops like Damas, Gafla, and other traditionally Emirati brands for these pieces.

VI. How to style earrings

• Here are tips on how to style different types of earrings with different outfits

1. Pick bold styles such as the chandelier earring with a more glamorous outfit. This gives you the appearance of royalty. If you want your gorgeous earrings to pop even more, pick a color that directly contrasts with your hair.
2. A casual fit goes well with a simpler earring such as a hoop, stud, or threader earring. The latter pairs especially well with business casual attire, as it adds an element of sophistication to your look.
3. Pay attention to the metals of your earring. All white goes best with gold as silver tends to be unnoticeable. While it isn’t forbidden to mix metals, it’s typically best to match your jewelry and accessory pieces to create a more consistent look.
4. This is particularly important when it comes to the necklace. Since the necklace and earrings sit pretty close together on your face, they must combine to send a cohesive message. There’s nothing more confusing than a mismatched pair of jewelry.

VII. Caring for your earrings

1. The first tip for caring for earrings is to pick the right jewelry. We recommend authentic high-grade metals that don’t rust easily. This is particularly important with a new piercing as those are easily infected. Even with older piercings, the ear is a very sensitive part of the body and deserves only the best care, so try to clean your earlobes frequently.
2. Clean your earrings with mild soap and water or salt-water solution. This is the same solution used to clean piercings when you first get them. Additionally, wipe your earrings and earring back with a q-tip after every use. Use a microfiber cloth for tougher stains and do not use alcohol or any harsh chemicals on your earrings. Then store in a dry environment, like a jewelry box, where there’s plenty of space and you earrings won’t get scuffed by other jewelry.

VIII. Conclusion

An earring is a beautiful and necessary addition to any outfit, but it’s important to choose carefully. Consider your face shape, current trends, and more personal elements before you buy a piece. Most of all, avoid buying low-quality earrings. Rather than cheap earrings, buy quality pieces that last a lifetime.

Summary

Throughout much of their history, earrings have always been a symbol of status. They’ve been treasured by royalty for centuries and here’s why: while necklaces draw more attention to the lower part of our face, earrings highlight our entire face, engaging with our standout attributes, like our face shape, eye color, and skin type. Therefore, it's important to pick the best earrings to emphasize the right things.

The keyword to keep in mind with an oval face is softness. It’s an ideal face shape because it's complemented by most earring styles, but it’s best to highlight the naturally soft contours of the face. Our Salasil hoops are a touch of gentle sophistication, their curve and sparkle a perfect complement to a delicate beauty. For a statement piece, go for the Gafla Lantern necklace, which is as romantic as it is intricate.

A heart-shaped face, pick a piece that is heavier at the bottom to balance out our features. Our drop earrings are great for this.

They also work well for a square face. But for a true match? The Merwad Earrings are not only

For the square face shape, we recommend beautiful oversize hoop earrings (thicker is better) to soften your features. Drop earrings and chandelier earrings help to elongate the face.

For a diamond face shapes, you can go in two different direction. A delicate styles like the Salisil hoops create a fine contrast that softens your features. But a more geometric designs, like our Barraag Drop Earrings, emphasize the gorgeous angle of the face, creating a more striking effect. Cuff and huggie earrings are great for a longer face, and threader earrings suit triangle faces very well.

Pick bold statement pieces with a more glamorous outfit to turn regal.

Here’s a style tip: geometric designs are all the rage in Dubai. Whether with hoops or dangle earrings, look for pieces with interesting architecture, that tell a story. Gafla Jewellery is popular for one-of-a-kind artisanal pieces, well known for their quality and affordability. The best thing about these earrings is that they also are uniquely Emirati, with designs that are historically significant while still holding modern appeal.

Our bold colorful designs are also a frequent feature of jewelry in Dubai. On a night out, expect all the glitz and glamor to be in full color.

Gafla also has simpler, versatile pieces with a soft, feminine touch. This is good for an everyday look for the classy Emirati woman. Check out our collections for a full list of options and pick a radiant addition to your outfit.