If you've ever stood in front of a jewelry display trying to decide between huggies and hoops, you're not alone. Both are endlessly versatile, but they have distinct personalities. Here's everything you need to know to choose the right pair — or decide you need both.
What Are Huggie Earrings?
Huggie earrings are small hoop-style earrings designed to sit close to the earlobe — they literally "hug" your ear. They're thicker than a traditional hoop and usually feature a hinged closure that clicks shut. Because they sit flush against the ear, huggies are one of the most comfortable earrings for everyday wear. You barely notice they're on.
Huggies are great for: layering with other earrings in a second or third piercing, wearing during workouts or active days, and building a minimal, put-together look without much effort.
What Are Hoop Earrings?
Hoops create an open circular or oval shape that hangs away from the ear. They come in a huge range of sizes — from tiny 10mm styles that sit close to the ear to large statement hoops that graze the shoulder. Hoops add movement and frame the face in a way that studs and huggies don't.
Hoops are great for: making an outfit feel more intentional, adding visual interest to a simple look, and transitioning from day to night.
How to Choose
Go with huggies if: you want something you can wear all day without thinking about it. They're low-maintenance, comfortable, and work with everything from gym clothes to a dinner look.
Go with hoops if: you want a little more presence. Even a small hoop adds movement and draws attention to your face in a way a huggie won't.
Wear both if: you have multiple piercings — huggies in the upper piercings and a hoop or drop in the lobe is one of the most effortless combinations in jewelry.
Gold Filled vs Gold Plated — Does It Matter for Earrings?
Yes, especially for sensitive ears. Gold filled earrings have a thick layer of real gold permanently bonded to a base metal, making them far less likely to cause irritation than gold plated styles. If you've had reactions to earrings in the past, gold filled is worth the upgrade. All of our earrings at Balboa Gold are 14K or 18K gold filled.
Shop Gold Filled Earrings
Browse our full collection of gold filled earrings — huggies, hoops, studs, and drops — all designed for everyday wear and built to last.