Are you in the process of choosing children’s earrings and feeling a little overwhelmed by the wide range? Believe us, you’re not alone. A cheerful colorful design on a pair of earrings doesn’t mean that they’ll be suitable for children. Edges that are too sharp, an inappropriate material, or earrings with a poorly chosen closure are among the most common pitfalls when it comes to children’s earrings. When it comes to making the right choice, something that’s quite important to consider is the age of the child. What may work for a teenage girl might not be ideal for a toddler who is just discovering the world around them.
In this article, we’ll look at the different types of children’s earrings in terms of safety, comfort and of course style.
It pays not to skimp on material
Children’s ears are very sensitive, so it’s important to choose metals that minimize the risk of allergic reactions. The ideal choice are earrings made of 14k gold, otherwise surgical steel or titanium ones. Silver is not as suitable since it can have added nickel in it which is a common culprit when it comes to skin allergies. These allergies can manifest as itching, redness or a rash. We also recommend avoiding cheaper costume style jewelry as well as gold plated jewelry. With frequent wear, the thin layer of gold plating will wear off from the surface and the overall look as well as the functional properties of the earrings may change as a result. Jewelry made of gold, on the other hand, can withstand the active lifestyles of young children and is easier to repair if it gets damaged.
What earring closure to choose?
Some types of earring closures are better for children than others, and each age group has its own specific needs. Choosing the right type of closure is important not just due to safety but also for the comfort of the child. Very young children and sometimes even older children wear earrings 24 hours a day, therefore, the clasp on such earrings should come with a complete snap closure to prevent the earrings from getting lost or caught on a piece of clothing.
Earrings for babies
For babies and very young children, earrings with a front closure are the best. Such earrings are fastened at the front by clipping the end of the hook into the eyelet. It’s a good idea to be careful when putting them on so as not to bend the clasp out of shape. Earrings with a front closure are very comfortable for children. Nothing sticks out or presses anywhere, so the child doesn’t even know about them. In addition, this type of clasp closes tightly, which means that the earring shouldn’t accidentally open or get lost. Earrings with a front closure are usually smaller in size, so they should be ok to be worn by children until they are ready to start school.
Earrings for a bigger miss
When a little girl starts school, she’ll usually also start choosing clothes to suit her own tastes, and she might even start looking around for some earrings. Thankfully, there’s a much wider selection of earrings available for these older girls which means that at this age, they can alternate earrings based on their mood and the occasion.
- Earrings with a lever back closure
The more classic lever back closure is relatively popular in women’s earrings. It’s easy to open and close, all the while providing a secure close that’s not visible from the front. Earrings with this type of closure could last a girl well into adulthood.
- Small hoops
Hoop earrings can be somewhat problematic for children since they can get caught on something and the earring may as a result fall out of the ear. But it’s the diameter of the hoop that’s the key here. Large hoops are definitely not recommended for children, but hoops with a smaller diameter could be worn by girls around 10 years of age provided they exercise some level of care. The smooth surface and minimalist design of hoop earrings are definite advantages which means that they would pair well with just about any outfit. You can also accessorize them with pendants based on your mood on the day. The end result is a versatile piece of jewelry that will keep up with a young lady’s changing style.
- Push backs
Push back earrings are very easy to put on so they’ll suit girls who have multiple pairs of earrings that they like to alternate between. Push back earrings sit right on the earlobe and the clasp is not visible at all from the front which allows for a variety of different themes and designs to stand out. However, push back earrings also come with one disadvantage. The clasp is not generally secured in place in any specific way, so when it gets caught in hair or a scarf, the earring can fall out of the ear, sometimes even unnoticed. An alternative to push back earrings are earrings with a screw back closure, which are however a little trickier to put on and take off.
Popular themes and designs for children’s earrings
For a very small child, you’ll probably choose earrings based on what appeals to you. But the older the girl gets, the more she will have her own idea of what kind of earrings she wants to wear. There are a wide range of themes that are popular with children and the choice can often be influenced by their personal interests. You just need to make sure that the earrings don’t have sharp edges or a surface that’s too rough. If the child has a favorite color, animal or design, it’s a good idea to stick to it, since she is more likely to like and wear such jewelry. And which themes are among the most popular in children’s earrings?
- Hearts: These are a timeless symbol of love and heart-shaped earrings would suit both a young girl as well as a grown woman. They are the perfect piece of jewelry for a daughter to wear along with her mum to show off to everyone their mutual bond.
- Minimalist: If you’re more of a practical type of person and are looking for earrings for a young girl that she can wear even as an adult, we recommend choosing from simple geometric shapes. Earrings in the shape of a ball, triangle, bar or a star would make a great choice.
- Animal or plant themed: Earrings in the shape of ladybirds, birds, butterflies, flowers or fruit look cheerful and bright. They will especially delight smaller children.
- Gemstones: If you view children’s earrings also as family jewelry that will be passed down from generation to generation, don’t be afraid to choose earrings with diamonds or color gemstones. Children will no doubt appreciate the beautiful sparkle and colorful shine of the stones, and the earrings may even increase in value over many years.
Children’s earrings are pieces of jewelry that have a lot of emotions attached to them. For many parents and grandparents, they tend to be the first gift given to a baby still in the cradle. For children, they represent a strong memory of a beautiful period of their childhood. Choosing a classic theme, quality material and a practical design will ensure that you and your children will enjoy them for many years to come.
Add Your Comment