If you’ve got ear cartilage piercings, you’ll need several dainty earrings in your jewelry collection. They’re simple and delicate, with subtle designs that communicate elegance and sophistication. You can wear them with various outfits and in multiple cartilage piercings while maintaining a minimalistic look.
Designers and jewelry makers want to meet shoppers’ demands with several dainty earring options. However, choosing the perfect pair can be a hassle. So, we’ve curated a list of the best dainty cartilage earrings for you. But first, let’s look at the factors to consider when buying.
How to choose the best dainty earring
The perfect dainty earrings exist, but if you don’t know what to look for, you might end up scrolling through websites endlessly or visiting store after store. The factors below will help you focus and find the earrings for you.
Material
Prioritize quality over quantity when choosing dainty earrings for your cartilage piercings. Choose materials like gold, titanium, and surgical-grade stainless steel. They’re hypoallergenic and suitable for fresh and healed piercings.
Avoid low-grade, gold-plated, and nickel; even though they may be cheaper, they don’t last long and may cause allergic reactions.
Cartilage type
Consider your ear cartilage piercings since some cartilage earrings don’t suit certain piercing positions.
Helix piercing
A helix piercing exists on the outer ear cartilage. The different variations include forward, backward, and double helix piercings. Hoops and studs are the best for helix piercings.
Tragus piercing
A tragus is the small flap-like cartilage that covers the ear canal. Flat-backed earring studs are the most suitable earrings for a tragus piercing.
Daith piercing
A daith piercing goes through the smallest cartilage fold in the ear right above the ear canal. Rings like captive bead rings and hoops are great options.
Conch piercing
A conch piercing is located in the innermost bowl-like part of the ear cartilage. Studs are the only option for an inner conch piercing, while an outer conch piercing (closer to the anti-helix) looks great with either studs or hoops.
Rook piercing
A rook piercing goes through the uppermost inner ridge above the tragus. You can wear curved barbells on your new piercing as starter jewelry and switch up your look with hoops later.
Comfort
Dainty cartilage earrings are generally comfortable, and you can wear them to sleep. However, remember that some dainty pieces are delicate and may bend due to your head movement while you sleep. Choose comfortable and sturdy pieces if you don’t want to take them off.
Size
Dainty cartilage earrings come in different sizes from 16G to 20G. Although the most common size is 16G (to accommodate the swelling of a new piercing), you may gradually reduce your earring size to 18G and then 20G.
Earring back
Consider the types of earring backs when choosing dainty cartilage earrings. Common earring backs include butterfly back, flat back, screw back, hinge back, and lever back. Although all are comfortable and sturdy, some might fit better on specific cartilage ear piercings. For example, a flat back works best for a tragus piercing because of its positioning.
Budget
Your earring choice will depend on your budget and desired jewelry material. For example, a solid gold dainty earring costs over $100, while a surgical steel piece costs less.
10 best dainty cartilage earrings
We have carefully curated a list of the 10 best dainty cartilage earrings across different categories.
Best dainty helix earrings
This surgical steel bestseller features a cubic zirconia stone. It’s hypoallergenic, suitable for sensitive ears. It’s a 5-piece set with CZ stones ranging from 3mm to 8mm. Its gauge size is 20G, and it’s suitable for wearers over six years old.
Buyers say the backs are so small, making them difficult to screw on.
Cute dainty cartilage earring
This 14K gold-plated six-piece set includes three pairs of CZ studs and three small gold hoops. They’re made from surgical steel and are hypoallergenic.
Buyers have said it’s comfortable and perfect for sensitive skin.
Dainty 925 silver cartilage earring
This Lavishe 925 sterling silver stud is a 2mm rhodium-plated stud with a butterfly pushback, which is sturdy and easy to put on and off. It comes in a custom-made velvet pouch for easy storage and gifting.
Buyers have said it’s comfortable, and they like its subtle sparkle.
Dainty cartilage earrings with flat backs
This 14K gold-plated cartilage earring set is made of high-quality 316L stainless steel. It’s nickel- and lead-free, making it great for wearers with sensitive ears. If you have multiple cartilage ear piercings, this set is perfect.
Buyers have said these earrings are secure and comfortable to sleep in.
Dainty hoop cartilage earring
This thin 14K gold-filled piercing hoop from LuckyJewUS Store is hypoallergenic and perfect for sensitive ears and daily wear.
Buyers are surprised by its small size, saying it’s for a highly minimalist look.
24K gold cartilage earring
This 4-piece set of 24K gold-plated ball studs from Caflon is made with surgical stainless steel.
Buyers say they click into place effortlessly and are sturdy.
Spiral cartilage earrings
This 12-piece set features 3 pairs of horseshoe earrings and 3 pairs of twisted spiral earrings, all made of 316L stainless steel. They’re lead- and nickel-free and can be worn by individuals with sensitive ears. You can wear these pieces for tragus and helix piercings.
Buyers say screwing the ball on the earring can be difficult.
Dainty earring for upper cartilage
This 10-piece set of polished brass earrings feature ear cuff/huggie earrings with various designs. They’re perfect for individuals without piercings. They’re lightweight and lead- and nickel-free.
Buyers love their cute designs and say they’re easy to put on.
Opal dainty cartilage earrings
These lab-created opal in-and-out earrings are sterling silver and electro-plated with rhodium. They’re lined with shimmering cabochon-cut white lab-created opals.
Buyers note that the finish wears off with frequent use.
Pearl dainty cartilage earring
This surgical-grade steel piece from Funlmo is available in different gauge sizes, ranging from 14G to 20G, and different diameter sizes ranging from 6mm to 14mm.
Buyers have said this earring is easy to put on and take off but advise paying close attention to the size you buy depending on where you want to wear it.
Where to get good cartilage earrings
Several online stores sell good-quality cartilage earrings, including the ones below.
Amazon
Amazon is an online store that allows you to connect with many of your favorite stores in different locations with a few clicks. It has a jewelry section that sells unique jewelry, and buyer reviews and ratings can guide your picks. It can cater to a budget of any size.
Zales
Zales sells a wide selection of jewelry, from statement jewelry to engagement rings. They have an online website and walk-in stores in different parts of the US.
Kay
Kay Jewelers is a store specifically for diamond jewelry. They have a wide collection perfect for any occasion, although they are more high-end. They also offer various services besides selling jewelry, like jewelry care, custom designs, and even ear piercings.
Frequently asked questions
Have you got more questions about dainty cartilage earrings? We’ve answered them here.
What is the best earring for a cartilage piercing?
You can wear studs or hoops in your cartilage piercings, depending on the piercing location.
What size earrings should I get for cartilage?
The most common earring size for cartilage piercings is 16G, although 18G is also common. However, the size depends on the needle size your piercer used for your piercing.
What are cartilage earrings called?
Cartilage earrings have different names depending on the style; they include barbells, labret studs, hoop earrings, dangling studs, and cartilage chains.
Cartilage earrings should be implant-grade titanium, solid gold, or surgical-grade steel. These materials are hypoallergenic and suitable for new piercings.
Wear delicate beauty
Getting the best dainty cartilage earrings can set you up for a long time. Since they’re mostly for daily wear, it’s advisable to splurge on getting quality jewelry for durability. Remember to buy your pieces from our recommended sellers for the best quality.
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