How to Choose Earrings for Your Face Shape:

February 27, 2015

By Katerina Perez

7 min read

I did a survey on Facebook and VKontakte once that asked a simple question: “If you could only wear one piece of jewellery, what would it be?” Women from across the world voted and, after an overwhelming response on both social networking sites, EARRINGS were the winners. If, as one woman who took part in the survey said, you feel naked without your earrings, then read on: in this article, I explain what earrings to choose for your face shape.

Round face shape

(a face with a round chin and full cheeks; the widest distance between the cheekbones is at ear level)

Adele, Abigail Breslin, Kirsten Dunst

Adele, Abigail Breslin, Kirsten Dunst

Celebrities with a round face: singer Adele, Abigail Breslin, Kirsten Dunst.

Not recommended: large hoop earrings, either massive or miniature earrings in any form but also stars, rhombuses, snowflakes, etc. – these all make the shape of the face look even wider.

Recommended: square or elongated shapes (ovals, rectangles, triangles or teardrop shapes) that help to “lengthen” the oval of the face.

My suggestion: Arman Suciyan earrings in silver and multicoloured sapphires, Stephen Webster Lady Stardust earrings with an amethyst; TOUS Sindano earrings 18kt yellow gold, sterling silver and ebony;  Jemma Wynne Tourmaline Four Drop Earrings.

Stephen Webster Lady Stardust earrings with an amethyst; TOUS Sindano earrings 18kt yellow gold, sterling silver and ebony;  Jemma Wynne Tourmaline Four Drop Earrings

Stephen Webster Lady Stardust earrings with an amethyst; TOUS Sindano earrings 18kt yellow gold, sterling silver and ebony; Jemma Wynne Tourmaline Four Drop Earrings

Diamond face shape

(where the widest part of the face is around the cheekbones; the forehead and chin are narrower than the cheekbones which stick out)

Madonna, Audrey Tautou, Elizabeth Hurley

Madonna, Audrey Tautou, Elizabeth Hurley

Celebrities with a diamond face shape: Madonna, Audrey Tautou, Elizabeth Hurley.

Not recommended: any earrings that could make the face look wider (for instance either rhombus shaped or round medium-sized earrings).

Recommended: earrings with long lines and gentle curves to smooth the sharp lines of the cheekbones and chin.

My suggestion: Wendy Yue dragonfly earrings with pink and purple sapphires; Fernando Jorge Fusion drop earrings with pink opal and diamonds; Chopard Happy Diamonds Iconic earrings in 18K white gold and diamonds; A&W Mouzannar Arabesque earrings.

Fernando Jorge Fusion drop earrings with pink opal and diamonds; Chopard Happy Diamonds Iconic earrings in 18K white gold and diamonds; A&W Mouzannar Arabesque earrings

Fernando Jorge Fusion drop earrings with pink opal and diamonds; Chopard Happy Diamonds Iconic earrings in 18K white gold and diamonds; A&W Mouzannar Arabesque earrings

Square face shape

(a face with defined straight parallel lines from temple to temple and from the forehead to the chin; the cheekbones are wide and the chin is angular)

Heidi Klum, Catherine Deneuve, Diane Kruger

Heidi Klum, Catherine Deneuve, Diane Kruger

Celebrities with a square face shape: Heidi Klum, Catherine Deneuve, Diane Kruger.

Not recommended: square earrings and any whose length exceeds their width.

Recommended: round, oval, triangle or teardrop shape earrings – any that appear to stretch the face, but also multi-layered dangle earrings that help make the face look less angular.

My suggestions: Inbar pink opal earrings; Nicholas Liu Gia African Ruby Earrings; Anthony Lent Sunface studs in yellow gold; Ornella Iannuzzi Coralline Reef dangling earrings with a pearl.

Nicholas Liu Gia African Ruby Earrings; Anthony Lent Sunface studs in yellow gold; Ornella Iannuzzi Coralline Reef dangling earrings with a pearl

Nicholas Liu Gia African Ruby Earrings; Anthony Lent Sunface studs in yellow gold; Ornella Iannuzzi Coralline Reef dangling earrings with a pearl

Rectangular / Long face shape

(similar characteristics those square faces but narrower and more stretched out)

Lea Michele, Bella Heathcote, Salma Hayek

Lea Michele, Bella Heathcote, Salma Hayek

Celebrities with a rectangular face shape: Lea Michele, Bella Heathcote, Salma Hayek.

Not recommended: long slender earrings.

Recommended: circular earrings or ones with smooth lines, light and delicate pieces that add a supple roundness to the face. Pearl earrings are perfect: they not only soften the lines of the face, they also appear to shorten its length.

My suggestions: Katherine Jetter blue opal Fern earrings; Arunashi fire opal and pearl earrings; Venyx Toruga diamond studs; Madstone Design Magnum bubble earrings in white quartz.

Arunashi fire opal and pearl earrings; Venyx Toruga diamond studs; Madstone Design Magnum bubble earrings in white quartz

Arunashi fire opal and pearl earrings; Venyx Toruga diamond studs; Madstone Design Magnum bubble earrings in white quartz

Heart shaped face

(the widest part is the brow and above; the face gradually narrows from the temples and high cheekbones down to the small chin)

Nicole Scherzinger, Fan Bingbing, Christina Ricci

Nicole Scherzinger, Fan Bingbing, Christina Ricci

Celebrities with a heart face shape: Nicole Scherzinger, Fan Bingbing, Christina Ricci.

Not recommended: short, wide earrings which attract attention to the cheekbones.

Recommended: any long earrings the help to draw attention to the lower part of the face, for example any dangle earrings, teardrop shapes or chandelier earrings.

My suggestions: Carolina Bucci gold and diamonds drop earrings; Bochic carved mammoth drop earrings; Morelle Davidson conch pearl and diamonds earrings; Irene Neuwirth boulder opal turquoise earrings.

Bochic carved mammoth drop earrings; Morelle Davidson conch pearl and diamonds earrings; Irene Neuwirth boulder opal turquoise earrings

Bochic carved mammoth drop earrings; Morelle Davidson conch pearl and diamonds earrings; Irene Neuwirth boulder opal turquoise earrings

Oval face

(the most balance and proportionate, its shape is slightly round and the area around the cheekbones is slightly narrower than the line between the temples)

Blake Lively, Jessica Biel, Charlize Theron

Blake Lively, Jessica Biel, Charlize Theron

Celebrities with an oval face shape: Blake Lively, Jessica Biel, Charlize Theron.

Not recommended: earrings that dangle below the cheekbones making the face look much too long.

Recommended: earrings of almost any shape and length except for those which match the above criteria. Oval and teardrop shapes do well to emphasise the beautiful shape of the face.

My suggestions: Yiossi Harari gold earrings with champagne diamonds; Alice Cicolini Stone Lotus earrings in amethyst; Kara Ross Cava earrings in blue topaz with peridot; Brumani Baobab earrings.

Alice Cicolini Stone Lotus earrings in amethyst; Kara Ross Cava earrings in blue topaz with peridot; Brumani Baobab earrings

Alice Cicolini Stone Lotus earrings in amethyst; Kara Ross Cava earrings in blue topaz with peridot; Brumani Baobab earrings

ICHIEN: I Want to Make Jewellery That Can Transform a Person’s Soul

continue reading

Blinded by the Light: The April Birthstone Through the Lens of Diamond Pavé

Let's consider pieces that showcase this method of craftsmanship in all its sparkling glory…

by Katerina Perez

Love Language: Introducing the Expressive Creations of Zome Jewellery

For designers like Meghna Biswas, the woman behind Zome Jewellery in the United Arab Emirates, the process of transforming coloured gemstones and precious metals into beautiful creations is an ever-evolving love language

by Katerina Perez

Diamond Garden: Creating Digital Delights with AI Artist Anastasia Rogozhina

Take a look and consider the incredible feats that artificial intelligence can achieve in empowering creativity and broadening our minds

by Katerina Perez

100 Years of Art Deco: Top 10 Pieces of Art Deco Jewellery Sold at Auction

From the legendary Van Cleef & Arpels Jarretière bracelet worn by Marlene Dietrich to a striking aigrette that was once part of the Al Thani collection, all the pieces below are infused with the fearless originality of the Jazz Age

by Claire Roberts

Spirited Jewels: The Expressive Creativity of Elena Semy Jewellery 

Today, I'd like to introduce you to the creative designs of Elena Semy Jewellery and Elena, the artist behind them

by Katerina Perez

Rings of Power: Bold Torques are Making a Fine Jewellery Comeback

This powerful necklace with ancient roots is reclaiming its place in contemporary jewellery collections. Its sleek yet rigid silhouette speaks to confident women who want to assert a quiet power. Plus, it is the perfect setting for a chic diamond drop. 

by Rachael Taylor

Ocean Depths: Sotheby’s to Auction the Fancy Vivid Mediterranean Blue Diamond 

This sensational stone is due to be unveiled globally in Abu Dhabi on April 8 and will be auctioned by Sotheby’s Geneva on May 13. Before the bidding flurry commences, let’s take a closer look at this rare blue specimen that’s estimated to sell for in the region of US$20 million

by Sarah Jordan

All That Jazz: 100 Years of Art Deco Jewellery

This wonderfully decadent period of Prohibition parties, glittering cocktail soirées and exuberant Art Deco jewellery, which straddled more than a quarter of a century from 1908 to 1935, had a profound effect on society that touched upon almost every aspect of life in its pursuit of beauty, with the worlds of art, adornment, fashion, interiors, architecture and technology all irreversibly changed as a result

by Claire Roberts

Girls Just Want To Have Fun: An Elevated Take On Nostalgic and Joyous Jewellery

The days have just gotten lighter, which makes them seem longer, indicating that Spring will soon be here. And today, on April Fool’s Day, we begin to feel a sense of frivolity and play. Therefore, we hope to put a smile on your face with this article dedicated to jewellery with a dash of humour and a whole lot of wit

by Beth Bernstein

Aquamarine Tales Part II: Epic Stones, Extraordinary Finds & Royal Treasures

Aquamarine has long been adored for its serene blue hues and storied past. But beyond its beauty lies a world of extraordinary discoveries, epic stones and tales of fate that seem almost too incredible to be true

by Katerina Perez

Tanzanite Temptations: The Gemstone Specialisms of the Royal Touch Group

I spoke to Royal Touch Group Principal Ashish Rawat about his third-generation family business, its beginnings in emeralds, and its ties to the global promotion and distribution of Tanzania’s famed blue gem

by Katerina Perez

Aquamarine Tales Part I:  Stories of Healing, Connection & Some Truly Extraordinary Gems

I’ve always been captivated by the stories behind jewels and gems, so to celebrate March’s birthstone, I recently took to Instagram and asked my audience to share their most memorable aquamarine tales

by Katerina Perez

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Century of Splendour:Louis Vuitton Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds Chapter II

Creative Director Francesca Amfitheatrof offers her unique interpretation of a pivotal period in France’s history, marked by the French Revolution, the Napoleonic era, and the rise of industrialism

by Sarah Jordan

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

Writing Adventures:Co-Authoring the Book

Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.