Men's Stud Earrings: 6mm vs 8mm vs 10mm, and Magnetic vs Pierced

The studs below are in the hip hop earrings collection; the no-piercing versions are in magnetic earrings for men.

Two questions decide a men's stud: how big, and whether you need a piercing. Both have clearer answers than the product pages suggest.

6 mm, 8 mm or 10 mm

• 6 mm is a subtle stud, roughly the size of a pencil eraser. It reads as "wearing an earring" without being the first thing seen. Right for an office, right for a first pair.
• 8 mm is the standard hip hop stud. Visible from across a room, still proportionate on most ears.
• 10 mm is large. It works on a bigger ear or as a deliberate statement, and it is heavy enough that magnetic versions can slip.

If in doubt, 8 mm. Our 6 and 8 mm magnetic CZ studs come as a pair of sizes so you can compare on your own ear.

Magnetic or pierced

Magnetic studs sit on the lobe with a magnet behind it. They need no piercing, they can be removed for work or sport, and they are the right choice if you are not sure you want an earring permanently. They hold a 6 or 8 mm stud all day; at 10 mm they can slip when you sweat. Pierced studs are permanent, hold any size, and cost the same. The S925 magnetic moissanite halo studs are the magnetic version of a classic halo; the hip hop earrings collection has the pierced equivalents.

Shape

Round is the default. Square reads as sharper and more hip hop; the square halo magnetic studs are the most-bought square pair. A halo, a ring of small stones around the centre one, makes a 6 mm stone look like 8 mm.

Metal for sensitive ears

Stainless steel and S925 sterling silver are the two metals that do not cause reactions in most people. Plated brass does, once the plating wears. If your ears have reacted before, buy steel or S925: the S925 magnetic moissanite studs are the sterling option, the steel studs start at $3.99.

One pair or a set

If you want to try sizes and shapes, the magnetic stud multi-set gives you several pairs for the price of one S925 pair. Buy the single S925 pair once you know what you wear.