What’s the difference between gauge earrings and plug earrings?

While the terms gauge and plug earrings are often used interchangeably in the world of body jewelry , there are some differences between the two. Gauge refers to the size and thickness of earrings or the diameter of your stretched earlobe piercing. Ear gauging is another commonly used term to describe the process of stretching earlobes using disks, tunnels , or tapers —long, thin cone-shaped rods with flared ends. Plug earrings are a type of jewelry worn in stretched earlobes. They can be decorative—usually with a solid cylindrical or teardrop design—and help stretched piercings retain their size and shape.

How do you choose earring gauge sizes?

There are several earring gauge sizes to choose from to achieve the look you want—ranging from 20 g, the smallest, to 00 g, the largest. To determine an earring gauge size, try using a gauge wheel. Measure your current earring or plug jewelry by matching their post with gauge wheel’s cutouts. A measuring tape is another easy way to get an idea of your jewelry’s gauge size.

What materials are gauge and plug earrings made of?

Gauge and plug earrings can be made from a wide range of materials to suit any style and personal taste. Here are a few popular options to consider: Stainless steel: Durable, easy to clean, corrosion-resistant, and hypoallergenic, stainless steel plug earrings are a popular choice for wearers with sensitive skin. Acrylic: Among the most commonly used materials in gauge and plug earrings, acrylic plug earrings are hypoallergenic and lightweight for comfortable all-day wear. Glass: Non-porous and easy to clean and sterilize, glass plug earrings come in a variety of colors and designs. Wood: Wood gauge and plug earrings offer a natural, earthy vibe, and they’re comfortably lightweight. Stone: Like wood, stone gauge and plug earrings are popular for those who prefer a natural, organic style. Stone is also highly durable and available in a variety of colors and textures.

What styles of gauge and plug earrings are popular?

Jewelry shops on Etsy sell all sorts of creative and unique styles of gauge and plug earrings for men and women. Spiral tunnel earrings with a whimsical design are perfect for those who want an eye-catching look. Or if you like something understated, choose minimalist plugs or tubes made of stone or metal. Add a touch of elegance with dangle plug earrings designed with gemstones, tassels, or charms. Or opt for plugs carved with shapes like hearts, flowers, snakes, skulls, or dragons to express your style. Go retro with vintage gauge and plug earrings for a classic look. You can even work with a shop on Etsy to create customized gauge and plug earrings in the color, material, and design of your choice to match your one-of-a-kind personality.

Gauge & Plug Earrings

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Gauge & Plug Earrings

Review spotlight

Here is a selection of four-star and five-star reviews from customers who were delighted with the products they found in this category.

Cadence

5 out of 5 stars

"They are my everyday wear earrings now! Thank you so much!!! I lost the backing to my previous pair and needed these! <3 :-;"

Up To 2" Helios Gold Surgical Steel Ear Plugs Gauges Tunnels Pair 14g 8g 6g 4g 2g 0g 00g 1/2"5/8" 11/16" 3/4" 7/8" 1" 30mm 40mm 46mm 50mm
Jordan Lepore

5 out of 5 stars

"Beautifully crafted items! I gave the earrings as a gift, and the person who received them absolutely loved them. Would highly recommend to anyone who might be thinking of buying."

Real Mushroom plugs and tunnels Mushroom gauges Rainbow plugs earrings Fairy Magic Forest plugs Moss Resin 0g plugs 00 gauges 2 inch plugs
Kayla

5 out of 5 stars

"I really like these, they make wearing cheaper dangle earrings possible."

Brass Dipped in Gold Blanks With Loop Plug Gauges
sarahtucker543

5 out of 5 stars

"These are beautiful earrings and arrived in beautiful packaging. I love them and I’ll be wearing them every day. They are perfect!"

Real Heather plugs and tunnels Wedding gauges Floral gauge 2g 0g 00g 1'' 2'' Nature Resin plugs Lilac flower plug for women for men Ear plug
earthandmirth

5 out of 5 stars

"I bought these earrings on the 1st and received them today on the 18th. I appreciate that each earring was wrapped so that they did not rub against each other and scuff in transit. I chose to get these in size 2g, as my ears are in between a 2g and a 0g. The large flare backing keeps them in your ears, but may be hard to push in if you get these in your exact size. These earrings are brilliant! Their sparkle in the right light is beautiful and prismatic. Thank you!"

Zircon Wedding Plugs,Crystal Wedding Ear Gauges,8g,6g,4g,2g,0g,00g,1/2",9/16",5/8", Silver Wedding Plug Gauges

Gauge & Plug Earrings

Wear Any Earring! PAIR of Plugs with hole for hook earrings, 0g - 3"! 8mm - 76mm 3D printed wood pla gauges, Earrings NOT included!

Stained Glass Cicada - Plugs Gauges Earrings (Pair) (Faux Stained Glass)

Gauge Earrings, Saddle Ear Plugs, Ear Tunnel Plugs, Stainless Steel Earring Gauges, Stretched Ears Earrings, Rose Gauge Ear Expander Flower

Stained Glass Black Rose - Plugs Gauges Earrings (Pair) (Faux Stained Glass)

Natural moss mushroom gauges, real plug, mushroom plug, Real mushroom plugs, mushroom tunnels

Ear Plugs "Pearl" Sold as Pair, High Quality Stainless Steel Metal Gauges, Wedding Jewelry, Last Minute Valentines Day Gift for Friends

Beautiful crystal dangle gauges dangle plugs Bridal holiday special occasion

Stud Plugs - clear, black, white, gold, silver - allows you to wear earrings (pair)

PAIR of Stunning Clear Lucifer Glass Spiral Taper Plugs - Expanders - Gauges 8g (3mm) thru 5/8" (16mm) available!

Ear Stretching 14G-00G Kit 37pc Screw Fit Plugs Aftercare Gauges Expander Set Surgical Steel Tapers Tunnel Body Jewelry Piercing Multi Color

Real Heather plugs and tunnels Wedding gauges Floral gauge 2g 0g 00g 1'' 2'' Nature Resin plugs Lilac flower plug for women for men Ear plug

PAIR of Unique Natural Black Labradorite Organic Stone Double Flare Plugs/Tunnels - Gauges 2g (6mm) up to 3/4" (19mm) available!

PAIR of Beautiful Lavender Opalite Glass Plugs - Gauges 2g (6mm) to 32mm available!

Brass Dipped in Gold Blanks Plug Gauges 4g, 2g, 0g, 00g, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 3/4

Black Rosebud flowers plugs,Wedding tunnels,Bride gauge,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24-30mm;2g,0g,00g;5/16",3/8",1/2",9/16",5/8",3/4",7/8",1 1/4"

Recycled Skateboard ear Plug, Wooden black blue ear gauge, handcrafted tunnel

Pairs Gold Leaf Plug Earrings/Vintage Dangle Gauges/Plug and Tunnels/Gauge Earring/Double Flare Tunnels/Ear Stretchers Expander 2g, 0g, 00g

Silver Blank Plug Gauges 0g, 00g, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 3/4

Black Blank Plug Gauges 4g, 2g, 0g, 00g, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8

Tiny prong setting stud crystal stainless steel plugs / tunnels for gauges / stretched ears Sizes: 14g, 12g, 10g, 8g

20pcs Soft Silicone Flesh Tunnels/Glow in the Dark Plug Earring/Unique Design Silicone Ear Gauges/Double Flare Tunnels/Flesh Gauge Plugs 0g

Bronze Celestial Charmed Gauges // Mixed Metals // Crescent Moon // Star // Quartz Crystal wands // Black Spinel // Dangle Gauges

Trendy Gauges for Stretched Ears | Wear your favorite stud and dangle earrings! | Unique Stylish Body Jewelry | Hypoallergenic!

PAIR | D20 | Custom Dice Plugs | Choose your Size, Style & Colors!

Forget me not blue flower plug earrings resin ear plug wedding plugs pressed flower wedding gauge ear tunnel terrarium jewelry 19mm 4g 2g 0g

Up to 2" Raspberry Love Heart Shaped Ear Plugs Gauges Hearts Berry Pink Jello 2g 0g 00g 1/2" 9/16" 5/8" 3/4" 7/8" 1" 30mm 36mm 45mm 50mm

Ear Stretching Kit | Pain-free 0.5mm Jump Dead Stretching Kit | 316L Surgical Steel | 1mm (18g) - 10mm (00g) | Ear Gauges Lobe Jewelry

A Pair of Amber Honeycomb Glass Double Flared Plug

20PCS Silicone Ear Plugs and Tunnels/Flesh Tunnels/Glow in the dark Silicone Gauges/Plug Gauge Earrings/Ear Expander Stretchers 2g 0g 00g

Pair of tunnels, plugs and tunnels, gauges, wood tunnels, gauges, double flare plugs, resin plugs, 00g tunnels, gauges earrings, 00 gauges

PAIR of Unique Opalite Opalescent Moonstone Tunnels- Gauges 2g (6mm) to 1&1/2" (38mm) available!

PAIR of Stunning Organic Amethyst Stone Double Flare Tunnels - Gauges 2g up to 1" (25mm) available!

Hearts Desire Gold Steel Wedding Ear Plugs Gauges Tunnels Earrings 2g 0g 00g 1/2" 9/16" 5/8" Shell Iridescent Holographic Heart Shaped ALIEN

Real Mushroom plugs and tunnels Mushroom gauges Rainbow plugs earrings Fairy Magic Forest plugs Moss Resin 0g plugs 00 gauges 2 inch plugs

Large rose flower plugs gauges for gauged or stretched ears: Sizes 8g, 6g, 4g, 2g, 1g, 0g, 11/32", 00g, 7/16", 1/2"

The Random Awesome Bag of Plugs

Brass Dipped in Gold Blanks With Loop Plug Gauges

PAIR of Stunning Amethyst Organic Stone Plugs - Gauges 8g (3mm) up to 1" (25mm) available!

Solid 14 Karat Gold Simple Gauges Tube Earrings ~ Hypoallergenic Stretched Lobes ~ Solid Yellow Gold Plugs ~ Sold as a Pair

Sawo Wood Tunnels, Plugs, Crushed Turquoise, 0G, 00G, Ear Gauges, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 16mm, 19mm, 22mm, 25mm,

Ear Stretching 14G-00G Kit 36 pc Aftercare Gauges Expander Set Surgical Steel Tapers Plugs Tunnels Body Jewelry Piercing Starter Multi Color

PAIR of Beautiful Opalite Opalescent Moonstone Plugs - Gauges 6g (4mm) to 1&1/2" (38mm) available!

PAIR of Unique Natural South Jade Organic Stone Plugs - Gauges 4g (5mm) up to 1" (25mm) available!

A Pair Of High Grade Labradorite Convex Stone Double Flared Plug

50mm Gold Hoops Plug Gauges Earrings 4g, 2g, 0g, 00g, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 3/4

PAIR of Stunning Teardrop Organic Amethyst Stone Plugs - Gauges 0g (8mm) up to 3/4" (19mm) available!

Cute Honeybee Dangle Plugs /8g ,6g ,4g ,2g ,0g ,00g ,1/2, 9/16 , 5/8 ,11/16 ,3/4 ,1 inch Earrings Gauges

Vintage inspired rhinestone teardrop wedding dangle in silver plug gauge 8g-1"

2g (6mm) - 1 3/16 (30mm) Strands of Faux Crystals Saddles Drop Dangle Earrings Gauges/Earplugs Plugs

Thin Silver Teardrop Dangle Plug Gauges Earrings 4g, 2g, 0g, 00g, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8. 3/4

Victorian Gauges - Wedding Earrings - Bridal Jewelry - Prom Gauges - Plugs - Bridesmaid Jewelry - Christmas Gift A

Odd gauge tunnel (pairs of 2) - surgical steel - select a size

Gorilla Glass, Single Flare with Silicone O rings - per pair.

PAIR of Unique Purple Sparkle Galaxy Swirl Design Pyrex Glass Plugs - Gauges 2g (6mm) through 1" (25mm) available!

Aqua Glowing Quartz Wood Plug, Custom Unique gauges, gauges, 8mm - 65mm Real Stone Ohrstöpsel, Cool plug Tunnel earring, wood gauge earring

Up To 2" Helios Gold Surgical Steel Ear Plugs Gauges Tunnels Pair 14g 8g 6g 4g 2g 0g 00g 1/2"5/8" 11/16" 3/4" 7/8" 1" 30mm 40mm 46mm 50mm

Ocean Love Turquoise Heart Shaped Ear Plugs Gauges Tunnels Hearts Teal Green Cyan 6g 4g 2g 0g 00g 1/2" 9/16" 5/8" 11/16" 3/4" ALIEN BABE

PAIR of Organic Brown Sono Wood Plugs - Gauges 2g (6mm) up to 2" (50mm) available!

Night Love Black Heart Shaped Ear Plugs Gauges Tunnels Hollow Hearts Cute 8g 6g 4g 2g 0g 00g 1/2" 9/16" 5/8" 11/16" 3/4" 7/8" 1" ALIEN BABE

Amethyst Stone Plugs, Ear Gauges, 0G, 00G, Ear Stretchers, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 16mm, 19mm, 22mm, 25mm

Feather Dangle Tunnels - Wood or Stone Plug Earrings Ear Gauges Size 2g, 0g, 00g up to 38mm, Organic Plugs

Hammered 925 Silver ear tunnel, gauge earrings for stretched ears, plug gauges 6mm (2g)-28mm (1.10”), Tribal plugs and tunnels gauge jewelry

Pairs Elegant Butterfly Ear Tunnels/Stainless Steel Gauge Plugs/Double Flare Tunnels/Dangle Plug Earring/Screw Back/Ear Expanders 8g, 6g, 0g

PAIR of Beautiful Rose Quartz Organic Stone Plugs - Gauges 6g to 38mm available!

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