Gift Guide · 5 min read

How to Choose Earrings as a Gift

A few small observations tell you almost everything you need to know to choose a pair of earrings someone will love — and wear.

Earrings are one of the easiest gifts to get right and one of the easiest to get slightly wrong. The good news: a few small observations will tell you almost everything you need to know — no snooping in jewelry boxes required.

1. Check whether their ears are pierced

It sounds obvious, but it's the one mistake you can't fix with an exchange. Look next time you see them, or ask someone close to them. Most handmade beaded earrings, including every pair at Design by Rama, are made for pierced ears.

2. Notice what they already wear

Do they reach for small studs and short drops, or long earrings that swing? Gold or silver? Bright colour or neutrals? You don't need to match exactly — a gift can be a little bolder than their everyday — but it helps to stay in the same family. Someone who only wears tiny studs will probably save a long fringe pair for special occasions.

3. When in doubt, choose neutrals

White, cream, gold and black go with almost every wardrobe and every skin tone. A pair like the Koforidua Pearl Mandala or the Berekum Cream Hoop is easy to wear with anything, which makes it the safest choice when you don't know someone's style well.

4. Think about weight

Heavy earrings are uncomfortable to wear for a whole day, which is why many end up in a drawer. Beaded earrings are much lighter than metal pieces of the same size, so even a long statement pair is comfortable from morning to night. If someone avoids big earrings because of the weight, beadwork is a good way to give them something bold they'll actually wear.

5. Ask about the hooks if their ears are sensitive

Some people react to certain metals. If you know the person has sensitive ears, ask the maker what the hooks are made of before you buy. A good maker will tell you exactly — and that's another reason to buy from someone you can talk to.

6. Choose something with a story

The gifts people treasure are the ones that mean something. Every Design by Rama pair is made by hand in Duncan with glass beads brought home from Ghana, and each design is named after a Ghanaian city or town — here's the story behind Kumasi. When you give a pair, you're giving that story too.

7. Buy it in person if you can

At a market you can hold a pair up, see how it moves, and ask questions. This Christmas Design by Rama is at markets in Duncan and Qualicum Beach — see the dates. If you can't get there, every piece is online with free shipping across Canada.

Looking for ideas? See handmade earring gifts under $75.

Questions

What kind of earrings make a safe gift?
Neutral colours such as white, cream, gold and black suit almost any wardrobe. Lightweight pairs, like beaded earrings, are comfortable enough to wear all day.

How do I know if someone's ears are pierced?
Look the next time you see them, or quietly ask a close friend or family member. Most earrings, including handmade beaded pairs, need pierced ears.

Are beaded earrings heavy?
No. Glass beaded earrings are much lighter than metal earrings of a similar size, so even long statement pairs are comfortable to wear.