Looking for a good pair of cartilage hoop earrings?
Perfect, you're in the right place!
In this Learning Jewelry guide, you'll learn:
Initially inspired by rock die-hards and the pop culture, cartilage earrings have since found their way in today’s culture coming in various options. In this particular piece.
We’ll focus on the hoop types and how they are popular in today’s fashion world.
Sandwiched between edgy and delicate, these cartilage earrings have an interesting vibe to it, especially in terms of detail.
From small little rings of gold, or silver, to colored resins, cartilage hoops have the best style designs, an indicator that the trend won’t be going anytime soon. That being said, here are my top 5 favorite cartilage hoop earrings (and money saving tips too).
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Cartilage Earring Endless Small Hoop by Epirora |  EDITOR'S CHOICE |
Multipurpose
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| 2. Titanium Hinged Sleeper Earrings |  BEST QUALITY |
Easy To Use
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| 3. Sugar Tang Hoop Earrings |  BEST STYLE |
CZ Crystals Filled Design
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| 4. 10K Gold Open Hoop Earrings |  BEST DURABILITY |
10K Real Solid Gold
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| 5. Jstyle Cartilage Earring Set |  BEST VARIETY |
Perfect Helix Piercing Size
|
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Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On September 27, 2024
- 3 Pair In The Set Available In Silver, Rose Gold, and Yellow Gold
- Made of 925 sterling silver
- Gauge: 1.2mm(16G), Inner Diameter: 8mm(5/16"
- Easy on/off design
Our top pick for a cartilage hoop earrings went to the set made by Epirora.
Why?
Because out of all the various sellers, these earrings just keep things simple in terms of design at an affordable price point.
Due to their low profile, from a distance you can't tell these are cheap earrings, which makes them my #1 pick for cartilage piercings.
These hoops are available in 16 gauge with a ring diameter of about 8 mm. It’s a perfect earring for any cartilage size and will definitely hold well.
They're made from 925 sterling silver and come in Silver, Rose Gold, and Yellow Gold.
Continue reading to check out my other picks at more expensive price points!
Top 5 Best Cartilage Hoop Earrings
Short on time? Take a look at my top picks for cartilage hoop earrings:
Reviews of the Best Cartilage Hoop Earrings
Out of the earrings I reviewed, I thought the best one was the earrings made by Epirora.
They are simple 1.2mm gauge hoops perfect for cartilage piercings.
From a distance they look like high quality pieces of jewelry, but they can be bought at an extremely affordable price point.
Pros
- Comes in 3 pairs
- 925 sterling silver material
- Easy On/Off Hoop Design
- Nickel free and lead free
Cons
- Some reports of the hoops being hard to close due to manufacturer defects
This pair of ear hoops come in different sizes (6mm, 8mm, 10mm) and are a match made in heaven for teens!
They’re easy to open (or close) and have a nice comfortable feel whenever you have them on.
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Even though some may find them small, once they are on, be sure they’ll buff up your outfit.
They are also good on sensitive ears since the piece is made of non-irritant G23 Titanium. If you’re not familiar, some metals may do more harm than good, so I’d highly recommend this set of hoops if you’re not ready for discoloration or allergic reactions.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic titanium
- Great closure mechanism
Cons
- Gold plating may wear off
There is more to the sweet nature of SugarTang; they have amazing products! I stumbled on this CZ huggie and every detail in it looks beautiful (esp on women!).
Casted in 925 Sterling Silver, the piece has an orbital conch and a nice flowery design filled with CZ crystals.
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They are sparkly enough to light up the dark colored outfits, although you wouldn’t get that much attention if you’re an it girl.
However, they will compliment other pairs quite well, especially if you add a dash of gold somewhere in between. The Platinum plating wouldn't get off easily, so prepare to have them for a long time.
Pros
- Superb design
- Simple packaging
Cons
- Tiny for larger lobes
This pair shows probably one of the oldest designs in the history of earrings.
No funny impressions or designs, just a classic loop ready to rock your outings.
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The 10k gold makes it less prone to wear although it may not be as hard as its 14k counterpart.
These hoops are both nickel-free and hypoallergenic.
It also goes without saying that they are quite comfortable and a breeze to use. They’ll be a perfect gift for anyone who doesn’t have these in their collection.
Pros
- Classy look
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Needs extra care
- Sometimes hard to close back
The last set I wanted to cover were the earrings from Jstyle.
They offer 8 pairs of varying styles for cartilage piercings.
Earrings in the set can also be used for other piercing types such as tragus of conch piercings.
Pros
- 8 pairs in all different styles
- Simple appeal
- Nickel-free
Cons
- Pictures aren't true to size
What Are Cartilage Hoop Earrings?
These are earrings made to fit at the top part of your ear (cartilage). The hoops fit well with helix piercings, although you can also have them just above the earlobes.
Cartilage hoops are quite light and you’ll love them if you don’t like having heavy earrings hanging on your lobes.
Since they are tiny, you can always mix and match them up during occasions like weddings, parties, and family meet-ups. Even though designers offer a wide variety of pieces, I’d prefer choosing the lighter ones for everyday wear.
Read Also: What does 925 mean on silver jewelry?
Are Cartilage Hoop Earrings Expensive Or Cheap?
Obviously, with most things in jewelry you can get a piece that cost $20 bucks made from 14K gold with synthetic gemstones, or you could opt for a piece lined with diamonds, but that will cause the price to increase.
If you’re looking for an everyday jewelry piece, you’ll find a plethora in the cartilage hoops section selling for less than $20. On the other hand, fancier, statement pieces will cost you a bunch and depending on the metal/gemstone, you’ll dig deeper for a single pair.
All in all, smart shoppers know what they want, and as a rule of thumb always ask yourself, “Will I still like it in the next coming months?” Once you get to understand the value of what you're purchasing, finding the right price becomes an easy task
What Should You Look For In The Best Cartilage Hoop Earrings?
Shape
Even though hoops have a general shape, they come in different styles and designs.
Go for thick hoops if you have more professional day-to-day things to do. Thinner cartilage hoops tend to work better casual settings and for larger body sizes. There are also some designs of earrings for short hair.
Material
Like any other type of earring, you should be aware of the material used. The general range is 14K to 18K gold, rhodium plating, or 925 silver. Low grade materials may nickel, triggering allergies.
Gemstone
If you want to go on the cheaper end, you'll be looking at synthetic stones. For example, in our top pick for this post we recommend checking out the simple opal earring hoop. The opal is synthetic, but if you wanted something more pricey (and natural), diamonds are always an option.
What Is The Best Metal For Cartilage Piercings?
Cartilage hoops are stylish and come in various shades of gold, silver, platinum, titanium, rhodium and more. While choosing the best metal for your style, it is best to consider durability and compatibility.
Obviously, gold is a softer metal and may be less durable than say titanium. And since most brass or stainless steel varieties are usually electroplated, the fancy color will most likely wear off over time.
That said, sterling silver has probably best balance between style and class. It blends with most outfits and has an authentic feel whenever you have them on. However, if you’re willing to spend extra on metals that may last decades, gold and platinum are your best bet. Even though not as precious, stainless steel is also a durable option if you're cutting down.
Can You Sleep With Hoop Earrings?
Assuming your earrings aren't too big and bulky, it should be okay for you to sleep with them on. I would watch out if you have long hair as the earring may get caught up in your hair or if the earring itself is large, you may risk bending them in the process.
All in all, if you really want to sleep with your cartilage hoops on, then just make sure the metal is sturdy and your earring doesn’t have and points.
Can You Put A Tragus Earring In Your Cartilage Piercing?
First off, we need to know what types of earrings are best in the tragus. Studs and barbells are the most popular kinds, while hoop-lovers may add a pair to their cartilage piercing. That said, if you were using hoops for your tragus you can use it in your cartilage, no problem.
However, I’m not really convinced that it is safe to use labret studs in your cartilage since the mechanism of closing is a little different.
Straight barbells also have a different close mechanism, and if you choose to have them on the cartilage, things might get a little messy.
I’d say, as long as they're not hoops, always be careful when exchanging earrings between different ear parts. Ear piercings are sensitive and sometimes a thicker metal may cause damage.
Where To Buy Cartilage Hoop Earrings?
In general, a pair of decent hoop earrings can be found on Amazon for a decent price. Unless you're looking to drop a couple hundred dollars on more expensive stones in stores like Blue Nile or James Allen, I'd recommend sticking to Amazon for these, which is where our recommendations come from. Take a look.
My #1 Top Pick: Cartilage Earrings by Epirora
If you're in the market for a new pair of cartilage earrings, then I'd advise you check out the set sold by Epirora.
They are extremely simple and low profile while being made of high quality 925 sterling silver materials.
These are perfect for folks who aren't looking for something ultra flashy but need a good earring for a cartilage piercing.
