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Drop earrings are quite interesting as far as earring designs go. While they aren’t as small and as short as stud earrings, they don’t sway around while you move like with dangle earrings, either. They occupy this unique space in-between that makes them a great choice to wear when paired with the right outfits.
Since they provide the volume and size of dangle earrings while also being as secure as stud earrings, drop earrings are great for everyday wear. They’ll sit nicely on your ear as you go about your day, and if you do something a little more active, such as brisk walking and the like, the earrings won’t just sway around like crazy.
If you’re interested in drop earrings, then we’ve got a treat for you. We’ve prepared a short list of the nicest drop earrings in 2024 for you to take a look at. They have different designs and shapes, so there’s something for everyone. By the end of this article, you should be able to find at least one pair that strikes your fancy.
Reviewing the Top Drop Earrings of 2024 in Detail
MJLuLu Simulated Gemstone Earrings — Best Overall
Key Features
- Simulated gemstone
- Sapphire and topaz options
- Gold-plated brass framing
- Comes wrapped in a gift box
“Simulated gemstones,” or imitation gemstones (or even faux gemstones), are gemstones that look like real precious stones but are actually made up of a different material. These materials are usually either plastic, glass, or some other stone. Simulated gemstones are a great alternative to the real deal, as they look just like actual gemstones while costing thousands of dollars less.
These simulated gemstone drop earrings come in two forms: sapphire and topaz. Both gemstones are fairly popular and are perfect to wear with cool and warm outfits, respectively. The earrings are framed using gold-plated brass accents as well, so there’s a little bit of metal for you to show off with, too. The earrings are wrapped in gift boxes individually, so if you plan on giving one of these pairs to someone as a gift, it’s ready to go the moment it arrives.
Lucky Brand Mother-of-Pearl Earrings — Mother-of-Pearl Style
Key Features
- Mother-of-pearl
- Metallic framing
- Ornately designed frame
- Silver-colored
This next pair of earrings is perfect if you want to show off something that’s a little more authentic than simulated gemstones. It’s a pair of mother-of-pearl drop earrings, and there’s a lot to take in when you first lay your eyes on them. For those unfamiliar with mother-of-pearl, you may think that this has something to do with actual pearls, and while both materials come from oysters and the like, mother-of-pearl is far simpler. It’s basically a more primitive form of a pearl.
These mother-of-pearl drop earrings are sold by Lucky Brand, which is actually a denim jeans company. While that may seem like an odd company to sell such earrings, the quality of the jewelry speaks for itself: it’s adorned with a beautifully crafted metallic frame, and while there aren’t any other pieces aside from the mother-of-pearl, it’s ornamented enough to make a bold statement.
LESA MICHELE Earrings — Round Cubic Zirconia Style
Key Features
- Made with cubic zirconia
- Gold-plated
- Sterling silver frame
- Comes with gift pouch
If diamonds are too expensive for your tastes or budget, look no further than cubic zirconia. It’s a material made from zirconium oxide, and when polished and crafted properly, it looks just like a real diamond, only far, far cheaper. Cubic zirconia is simple yet extravagant, making it the perfect centerpiece for this pair of drop earrings. With one large cubic zirconia and a line of smaller ones decorating the frame of the earring, there’s plenty of shine to go around.
The frame itself is quite mesmerizing, too. It’s got a yellow gold plating and is made out of sterling silver. The earrings make great gifts, and should you choose to give a pair to a loved one, they already come in a beautiful gift pouch.
Amazon Cubic Zirconia Earrings — Most Ornate Frame
Key Features
- Cubic zirconia
- Ornate frame
- Dangles slightly
- Imported
Like the previous pair of earrings, these earrings not only share the same gemstone (cubic zirconia) but also share the same material for the frame: sterling silver. With that many similarities, the main difference between the two pairs lies in the shape and design of the earrings themselves. And, if you want something that appears larger with a more extravagant frame, then these earrings are the better choice. With a line of smaller cubic zirconia surrounding a larger, center stone, these earrings will stand out even from far away.
It is worth noting that due to the design, these earrings actually dangle quite a bit when you move around. While it won’t sway around as much as other dangle earrings, it won’t stay put either, so keep that in mind when you’re considering buying. The company that sells these earrings recommends that you place the earrings in a cool and dry place when not in use to preserve the quality of the jewelry.
Betsey Celestial Moon & Star Earrings — Most Unique Design
Key Features
- Dangle earrings
- Mismatched design
- With celestial elements
- Made with gold-tone metal and glass
This last pair of earrings on our list is for people who confuse drop earrings with dangle earrings (which we get, seeing as they can sometimes be mistaken for one another!). And while the store page on this product states that these are drop earrings, they are, in fact, dangle earrings, due to the design of the jewelry. The earrings are 2.4 to 2.5 inches in length and are around 0.9 to 1.1 inches wide and are made of glass with a gold-toned metal to serve as a frame.
The main feature of these earrings is the design of the ornaments. These earrings feature a mismatched design of celestial bodies: one in the shape of a star and the other in the shape of a crescent moon. For those interested in anything celestial, such as astrology, these earrings will seem like a great fit. Just remember that since they are dangle earrings, they’ll move around quite a bit as you move around.
Finding the Leading Drop Earrings: A Buyer’s Guide
Drop earrings are very beautiful, especially when paired with the right outfit. This guide will cover the basics of what you need to know when buying drop earrings.
What Are Drop Earrings?
Drop earrings are a type of earring that “drops” below the earlobe, making it appear lower than a stud earring. However, drop earrings do not move and sway around, unlike dangle earrings.
Why Should You Use Drop Earrings?
They’re larger than stud earrings
The main problem with stud earrings is that there’s only so much space you can work with. Stud earrings are, for the most part, fairly small, and while there certainly are stud earrings with large frames and ornate designs, they’re not as common. Stud earrings are the simplest of the earring types, and many people prefer it that way. Besides, there’s only so much space on your ear for gemstones and the like to fit in comfortably.
That’s where drop earrings come in. Since drop earrings have the jewelry hang lower than those in stud earrings, you have more space to work with. This allows you to fit in larger frames and other pieces of jewelry. The frame itself will also be more visible, as it can be seen looping to the back of the ear from the front. If you like showing off a bit of metal with your earrings, then drop earrings are a great choice.
They don’t sway around like dangle earrings
In stark contrast to stud earrings, dangle earrings are far more “volatile,” so to speak. Moving around will cause the dangle earrings to sway along with your movement. In formal situations and places where you don’t see yourself moving a lot, then it’s fine, but if you have to do anything remotely intense, you may be annoyed by all the swaying that’s happening. In these situations, a pair of dangle earrings will only serve as a hindrance.
With drop earrings, you can showcase more jewelry without having to deal with the volatile movement of dangle earrings. They stay in place for the most part, and even if you’re running around in them, they won’t budge at all. This makes dangle earrings perfect for everyday use, as you won’t have to worry about them whenever you’re in a hurry.
Things To Consider When Buying Drop Earrings
Length
The length of drop earrings determines how far the earrings actually drop. For some drop earrings, the length can result in the gemstones sitting far beneath your ear, whereas others may be so short that they may even be confused as stud earrings.
The main factor to consider in terms of length is the size of your ear. Larger ears will want longer drop earrings, as they’ll be able to reach lower. On the other hand, smaller ears should be paired with shorter drop earrings, as having long drop earrings with small ears may look a little awkward.
Frame material
The frame of the earrings can vary from pair to pair. When considering drop earrings, you must take a look at two different aspects: the frame itself and the plating. Often, cheaper earrings will be made out of a simple metal (such as brass) and then plated with a precious metal such as gold. Other earrings will have a precious metal alloy with no plating, whereas others will have simple metals and no plating at all. You’ll need to consider how “precious” you want your earring frames to be based on whether or not it’s plated and what metals are used.
Drop Earring Types Based On Centerpiece
Gemstones
These are the most expensive types of earrings. Gemstones are very expensive, often costing thousands if not millions of dollars. It can be very difficult to get your hands on a pair of gemstone earrings simply due to the price.
Pearls/mother-of-pearl
Pearls and mother-of-pearl earrings are a separate category. Pearls are considered gems, but they don’t come from the ground, and therefore aren’t considered stones. Mother-of-pearl also comes from the same source as pearls. These earrings are cheaper than gemstone earrings, with pearl being slightly more expensive than mother-of-pearl.
Faux gemstones/pearls
These are the cheapest forms of earrings. They have simulated gemstones or pearls as centerpieces, and since they’re very cheap to make, they cost far less than other earring types.
