Earrings for men, although not rare, had not exactly been a very common feature until recently. Mostly found in women’s jewel boxes, earrings are making way into the men’s accessory range too. Men’s earrings speak of style and passion, are varied in designs and are normally worn on either left or right ear, but sometimes on both the ears too. Celebrities, rock stars and film personalities have lent a great deal in promoting the earring culture amongst men. The passionate man will go in for engraved or embossed customized earring made to order from his goldsmith.

Shopping for Men’s Earrings:

Made from exquisite precious and semi precious metals and gemstones, earrings rule the men’s jewelry segment. While the fashion and quality conscious men opt for gold, platinum, titanium or silver earrings, teenagers freak out with imitation jewelry. From the ultra cool and extravagant diamond encrusted studs priced upwards of $5000 to the more affordable Swarovski and Zirconium earrings, there is one for everyone. The most common designs are studs, small hoops or long drops.

When shopping for earrings for men, watch out for the phrase “not in pairs”. Though online stores may show you a pair in each design, they are normally sold singly.

Unlike women’s earrings, earrings for men are flush to the ear making a subtle statement. However the size is a matter of personal choice. Do consider the appropriate size of earrings keeping in mind the size of your ear, kind of hairstyle you sport and the clothes you wear.

Hoop Earrings -

Hoop earrings had been a fad with men sometime ago and then it faded gradually, till couturiers revived it last season. Since then it has been fast catching up and is all set to steal the limelight. Earlier men wore it only on one ear, but the new fad is to wear hoop earrings on both ears. These are basically a circular or semi circular design looking more like a ring, made from a metal tube attached with a thin wire that penetrates and supports from the ear.

Stud Earrings -

Stud earrings stand flush against the wall of the earlobe and penetrate the ear holes with a thick metal that is held tight at the other end by a stopper. Most popular ones being diamond studs, this design is most preferred by the upwardly mobile men as it suits casual and formal wear.

Often stud earrings are embellished with gemstones like black onyx, diamonds, Swarovski crystals, red garnet and turquoise set in white gold, sterling silver, titanium or stainless steel and mostly has shiny or matte finish.

About the Classic Question - Left or Right Ear ?

Some supposed rule says earrings worn left ear indicates a straight man while gay men wear the earring on the right ear. The seemingly naïve ones wear it on both ears to indicate bisexuality. Wearing earrings is just a fashion statement, and thus defies all written rules. Most debates, on the net or off it, ends with a singular note that wearing earrings is a personal choice and the individual should have every right to wear on the ear he prefers. Yet you would find most men piercing only their left ears.