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While tattoo journeys may be too scary to embark on (even ones that fade), piercings are the next best thing. Enter the term earscaping.
What could that even mean? Studs co-founder Lisa Bubbers explains it as “the art and science of stacking your ear with piercings and earrings” and coined it as a very easy way of saying you want an “Instagram-approved” ear.
Thanks to piercing studios such as Studs and New York Adorned, the days of slinking into a tattoo shop to ask for a cartilage piercing only to leave with a thick silver bar for an earring are over. When you book an appointment for a piercing, your piercer is also your stylist. You don’t have to go into it knowing what you want. Instead, there are look books to peruse, options to consider, and trends to discuss. In order to refresh the look, you can consider adding colors, textures, and shapes to the piercings you have. If you have piercings on both ears, maybe mix and match the earrings while playing with similar tones. As Love Adorned piercer Sydney Roda advises, you have to look at your ears “as a canvas.”
With that in mind, we spoke to some people with cool style to find out what earrings are worth adding to your rotation, all for under $100.
So, you’re looking for the best earrings under $100?
➼ $35 and under
➼ $50 and under
➼ $70 and under
➼ $100 and under
➼ Our experts
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$35 and Under
Material: Burnished silver with an antique finish
These swirly psychedelic earrings are a fun alternative to your everyday hoops. Since they’re only $15, go ahead and get them in gold, too.
Material: 14-karat gold-filled stud, sterling-silver hoop, gold-vermeil hoop
Handmade in Brooklyn, the earrings from Crumi Stuff are so cute. Whether you’re waking up unsure of the mood or wanting to add some color to your ears, these emotional earrings will do the job and do the job well.
Material: Nickel-free gold finish
These lightweight gold-link earrings from Target are the perfect addition to any jewelry rotation since they’re on trend without breaking the bank.
Material: Gold-plated brass, silver-plated brass
Ashley Garcia Lezcano, the social editor at Refinery29, loves Xio jewelry, especially since it’s affordable and Latina owned. They have an amazing variety, including hoops, studs, and ear cuffs, and have a lot of detailed pieces, including evil eyes, butterflies, and astrology symbols.
Material: Gold-plated brass, silver-plated brass
When it comes to on-trend earrings for a great price, Studs is the place to look. Their array of huggies are unmatched, whether they be cowboy boots, martinis, diamonds, or even burgers.
Material: External 14-karat gold-plated or rhodium-plated with internal brass
Studs has an array of huggies that are perfect for second and third piercings, like this thin pair that is adorned with a baguette diamond.
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$50 and Under
Material: 18-karat gold-plated brass
Libby Rounds, the piercing manager at Love Adorned, likes adding chains to their ears for movement. Chain earrings are great for any piercing whether a lobe, upper ear, or even inner ear.
Material: 14-karat white gold, 14-karat yellow gold
Huggies are a godsend when it comes second and third piercings, especially since they sit closer to the lobe, and these mini-hoops from Mejuri are so sleek and cool that you won’t regret adding them to your earring roster.
Material: Nickel-free gold plated charms on gold plated hoops
If you like to add personality to your outfits via accessories, you’ll love Lisa Says Gah’s selection of earrings. This anchovy pair will make you (and the people around you) smile every time you wear them.
Material: Gold-plated brass, cultured freshwater pearl
Dainty drop earrings are classic for a reason, and the pearl detail gives this pair a special touch.
Material: 18-karat gold-plated brass
A classic twist on a solid hoop, the malaika is a wide, double-set gold hoop that is still lightweight enough to wear all day long.
Material: Nickel- and lead-free gold hoop, silver hoop, rainbow hoop
We’ve all seen initial earrings before but never ones that look like those magnets you used to have on the fridge growing up (in a good way).
Material: 14-karat gold-plated vermeil
Another bow option, because why not?
Material: Sterling silver, solid 14-karat yellow gold
A great way to add a “piercing” without actually committing to one is by adding cuffs to the mix. Place them on your ear to replicate a conch or helix piercing or play around with them to emulate multiple piercings at once. This gorgeous option from Catbird comes in both silver and gold for any metal preference you have.
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$70 and Under
Material: Gold plated stainless steel
These spiral, fan-inspired earrings are pretty small, so they make a statement without overpowering the rest of your look, which we love.
Material: Sterling silver
A well-made huggie is a must for people with multiple piercings because it’s so versatile and ideal for layering with more eccentric pieces. This one from Hernán Herdez is $67 (or $196 for the same earring with a natural freshwater pearl pendent attached to it).
Material: Gold, silver
Sometimes you want a single earring over a pair, especially if you prefer an asymmetrical look. For Tanya Ravichandran, “this one [from Maria Black] is a bit more eclectic.”
Material: 14-karat gold-plated brass
Stylist and content creator Jess Xu loves this pair of earrings for everyday wear, especially since they’re hollow on the inside and tarnish free. “They’re weightless and perfectly complement all my fits without me having to think twice,” she says.
Material: 24-karat gold-plated brass
Augusta Thrift owner and content creator Bridget Brown’s go-to earrings are by Justine Clenquet since the brand loves to mix and match different styles and metals.
Material: 14-karat gold plating
Emma Pills is known for her colorful jewelry and distinct packaging. These obsession hoops are one of her best sellers and come in four different finishes, including the perfect light pink.
Material: Gold-plated iron
These are the statement earrings to add to your rotation, but be wary as they’re on the heavier side. Fashion and beauty writer Asia Milia Ware swears by these.
Material: Sterling silver, gold vermeil
These double-layered hoops are light, fun, and an insanely great quality. Get the look of two earrings for one with these dainty hoops.
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$100 and Under
Material: Gold-plated stainless steel
Heaven Mayhem is one of the internet’s favorite jewelry brands for on-trend pieces you’ll want to wear every day. The ribbed detail and knotted design make these earrings feel interesting but sophisticated and timeless.
Material: Silver- and gold-tone brass
The asymmetric earring look will forever be cool, and these hoops are the ultimate example of that. Justine Clenquet makes so many different pairs that you can mix and match depending on your mood and outfit.
Material: 18-karat gold-plated brass, white-gold-plated brass
Sold as a pair but different earrings, the Lydia earrings are some of the coolest, low-key bejeweled options on the market.
Material: Rhodium-dipped brass, 14-karat gold on brass
Even if shopping editor Bianca Nieves loves a gold hoop, a few silver hoops have won her over, like this twisted pair from Ana Luisa.
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Our Experts:
- Tanya Ravichandran, content creator
- Lynley Eilers, model
- Jess Xu, stylist and content creator
- Summer Rachel Warren, content creator
- Ashley Garcia Lezcano, social editor at Refinery29
- Libby Rounds, previous piercing manager at Love Adorned
- Lindsey Rem, content creator
- Lisa Bubbers, Studs co-founder
- Asia Milia Ware, fashion and beauty writer
- Bianca Nieves, senior shopping editor
