Gold jewelry has several attractive characteristics: it’s perhaps the most affordable precious metal; it’s durable; it comes in white gold, yellow gold, rose gold or multi-tones; and, aside from cleaning it regularly, gold jewelry doesn’t require much maintenance.
Macy’s Interlocking Hoop Earrings in 14-Karat Yellow Gold Over Silver and 14-Karat White Gold Over Silver represent these attributes well. The interlocking hoops create a contrasting multi-tonal look that’s distinctly modern and just a bit edgy. You’ll get the best of both worlds, with one hoop covered in yellow gold and the other coated in white gold.
What to know before you buy gold earrings
Do your research
Gold earrings can be a great investment and a jewelry staple, as long as you choose the right pair for your needs and budget. This is why it’s critical to do your research before you start shopping. You don’t have to become an expert; learning the basics is sufficient. For example, you should know the difference between white gold, yellow gold and rose gold. There are different considerations, addressed in more detail below, that will help guide your search and improve your chances of finding a pair you’ll love.
Be careful where you shop
Unfortunately, some fly-by-night companies take advantage of the popularity of gold. The deceitful tactics they employ include advertising gold-tone jewelry as real gold, claiming pieces have a higher karat rating than they do and lying about the materials contained in the metal. While there are exceptions to the rule, in general, it’s best to stick with well-established retailers and avoid those that have a super low profile. Chances are, if you’ve never heard of a retailer and no one you know has either, purchasing jewelry from them would be a dangerous risk.
Store the earrings when not in use
Proper storage of your gold earrings will extend their longevity and help maintain their condition for years. It’ll also help you to avoid losing them, which could be upsetting given the price point of many. These jewelry boxes featured in a BestReviews buying guide are a great place to store your gold earrings ? and to keep them neatly organized, as well.
Gold earrings features
Type of gold
People tend to have their favorite type of gold, but you might not be familiar with them all. You have the following options when shopping for gold earrings:
Yellow: yellow in tone
White: silver in tone
Rose: pink in tone
Multi-tone: a mix of two or more of the tones above
Multi-tone pieces tend to be versatile because, regardless of their tones, they complement other jewelry you wear. Don’t worry about the tones clashing; mixing and matching hues of gold can look quite nice.
Gold karat rating
The karat rating of gold represents its purity. This is notable because the purity of gold affects its characteristics. The purity of 10-karat gold through 24-karat gold is as follows:
10 karat: 41.7% pure
12 karat: 50% pure
14 karat: 58.3% pure
18 karat: 75% pure
24 karat: 99.9% pure
Style
Thanks to gold’s widespread popularity, there are many different styles of gold earrings available on the market. This makes it relatively easy to find the style that suits your needs and desires. Popular styles include studs, drops, huggies, hoops and chandeliers.
Gold earrings cost
Since gold is rarer than some other metals and holds up well to wear, it’s reasonable to pay more for it than jewelry made of other metals. Genuine gold earrings start around $100 and can cost up to thousands of dollars.
Gold earrings FAQ
What are gold-plated earrings?
A. You may have noticed that earrings advertised as gold-plated typically sell for significantly less than their gold counterparts. Gold-plated jewelry consists of a base metal like copper or brass that’s coated in an extremely light layer of gold. The gold layer is applied with a plating technique. Gold-plated earrings are a great way to achieve the effect of gold if you’re working with budget constraints.
Why do gold earrings cost more than silver earrings?
A. Gold is both more durable and more rare than silver. Unless it’s maintained meticulously and regularly, silver has a tendency to tarnish over time. Gold, on the other hand, retains its condition with little care required. Silver can also cause allergic reactions in some people, whereas gold is less likely to do so.
Which gold earrings should you get?
Best of the best gold earrings
Macy’s Interlocking Hoop Earrings in 14-Karat Yellow Gold Over Silver and 14-Karat White Gold Over Silver: available at Macy’s
Our take: You don’t have to choose between yellow and white gold with these interlocking hoop earrings, which are fashioned out of both types of gold poured over silver.
What we like: If you favor a two-tone look to your jewelry, these hoop earrings will fulfill that need. They have a base of silver, which is coated in 14-karat yellow gold on one hoop and 14-karat white gold on the other. The interlocking hoop design is a refreshing modern take on the classic hoop style. The one and two-thirds-inch diameter is substantial, but not so large that it’s gaudy. These earrings look great with casual and business casual clothes, making them a great option for everyday wear.
What we dislike: The most persistent complaint among unhappy buyers was the security of the closure, which they reported didn’t close securely and opened easily.
Best bang for your buck gold earrings
Lauren Ralph Lauren 14-Karat Gold-Plated Hammered Teardrop Drop Earrings: available at Macy’s
Our take: These dainty gold-plated teardrop earrings are elegant and look expensive despite their low price.
What we like: Proving you don’t have to spend a fortune to get lovely jewelry, these 14-karat gold-plated mixed metal earrings are the epitome of elegance. They’re dainty, with a two-thirds-of-an-inch drop. This small profile ensures they’ll accent your outfits, not overshadow them. The teardrop shape is timeless. Hammered details add interest and elevate the style of these earrings. You’ll wear this pair of earrings for years; they’ll never go out of style.
What we dislike: At least one buyer reported the surface and size of the earrings weren’t the same in person as it was in the online images.
Honorable mention gold earrings
Italian Gold Love Knot Polished and Textured Stud Earrings in 14-Karat Gold: available at Macy’s
Our take: Textured detailing elevates the aesthetic of these stud earrings and the love knot design is an enduring classic.
What we like: Italian is well-known for the quality and beauty of its yellow gold. This pair of earrings, constructed of 14-karat Italian gold, reflect these attributes. The love knot design is versatile, and the different textures on two sections of the knot adds interest, making these studs anything but typical. The remaining surfaces are polished, adding shine. At three-eighths of an inch, these earrings are a great size to wear daily.
What we dislike: Some buyers were concerned about the posts, reporting they arrived bent or broke during the first use.
Megan Oster is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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