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.

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
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
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
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

Gauge & Plug Earrings

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

The Random Awesome Bag of Plugs

Brass Dipped in Gold Blanks With Loop Plug Gauges

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

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

A Pair of Amber Honeycomb Glass Double Flared Plug

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

Northern light Quartz and Solid Wood Plug Earrings, 8mm - 65mm Custom Ear Plugs, Stone Ear Tunnels and Gauges Glowing White Quartz

Ear Gauge Tunnels, Plugs and Tunnels, Ear Tunnel, Stainless Steel Earring Gauges, Stretched Ears Earrings, Hollow Out Ear, Ear Expanders

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

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

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

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

Surgical Steel Tunnel Gauges 14g-00g Ear Gauges Sold As A Pair Tunnel Gauges Silver Tone Tunnels Steel Tunnels Silver Ear Gauges

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

Shiny Sterling Silver Plugs ~ Gauged Earrings ~ Flesh Tunnels ~ Stretched Earlobes ~ Tube Earring ~ Sold As a Pair

Single Flared Flesh Tunnels • Sold as Pair • 316L Surgical Steel

A Pair Of Soft Silicone Double Flared Plug-Black

Ear Gauge Tunnels, Rune Script Gauges, Plugs and Tunnels, Ear Tunnel, Stainless Steel Earrings, Stretched Ears, Hollow Out Ear, Ear Expander

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

Black concave ear plugs from ebonite, vegan plugs, concave ear gauges, black ear gauges, gauges black 14mm to 50mm 30mm 25mm 26mm 18mm 32mm

Blood Splatter Alien Skinz Red White Silicone Halloween True Crime Ear Plugs Tunnels Gauges 6g 4g 2g 0g 00g 1/2" 9/16" 5/8" 11/16" 3/4" 1"

Plugs Ghosts 8–50mm, double flared, Pair, glow in the dark, halloween, magic forest, creepy, spooky, boo

Combined black ear plugs with green Maple , black and green ear gauges size 10mm 00g 12mm 1/2'' 14mm 11/16" 5/8" 19mm 3/4" 25mm up to 2in

PAIR of Stunning Blue Vortex Swirl Design Pyrex Glass Double Flare Plugs/Tunnels - Gauges 2g (6mm) through 1" (25mm) available!

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

Black Obsidian Stone Plugs - (8 Gauge up to 2 Inches) NEW!

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

Dragon Scale Agate Plugs | Double Flare Ear Stretchers | 5mm-25mm | 1 Pair | Stone Plugs

A Pair of Gold PVD Steel Double Flared Ear Gauge Flesh Tunnel Plug

Black Concave ear plugs, pair of concave ear gauges 12mm 14mm 15mm 16mm 18mm 20mm 22mm 24mm 26mm 28mm 30mm 32mm 34mm 35mm 36mm 38mm 40mm

Malachite Alien Skinz Dark Phthalo Green Emerald Silicone Ear Plugs Tunnels Gauge Eyelet 6g 4g 2g 0g 00g 1/2" 9/16" 5/8" 11/16" 3/4" 7/8" 1"

A Pair of Blackline Steel Double Flared Ear Gauge Flesh Tunnel Plug

Pyrite gauges Obsidian Wood Plugs, Geode Style Custom Wooden Plug 14mm-100mm, Real Stone Sapele Tunnel Gauge Street Fashion Jewelry

A Pair of Implant Grade Titanium Screw-Fit Tunnel Plug

Ear Stretching 50 pc Kit Multicolor Aftercare 14G-00G Ear Gauges Expander Set Acrylic Tapers Plugs Silicone Tunnels Body Jewelry Piercing

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

A Pair Of Soft Silicone Double Flared Plug-White

A Pair of Tiger Ebony Wood Double Flared Tunnel Plug

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

Gorilla Glass, Martele Simple Plugs with silicone O rings - per pair.

Aqua Glow custom wood plugs, 8mm - 65mm Glowing Quartz Natural Wood Plug, Earrings Cool Fashion Trendy Jewellery, Unique Ear Tunnels Gauges

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

Hollow Filigree Tunnels Double Flare Ear Plug Gauges- Sizes: 2g, 0g, 00g, 1/2", 9/16", 5/8"

Versatile Water drop Ear Plugs with Freshwater Pearl Dangle ,Sizes Available from 0g- 30mm, Wedding Ear Plugs ,Ear Gauges for Prom

Heart Ear Gauges,Flower Ear Plugs,2g-5/8''Ear Stretchers,Gauge & Plug Earrings,Ear Tunnels,Valentines Day,Mother's Day,Gift for her

Up To 2” Golden Age Hearts Gold Steel Flared Love Ear Plugs Gauges Tunnels Pair Earrings 0g 00g 1/2" 5/8" 7/8" 1" 28mm 30mm 36mm 40mm 45mm

A Pair of Concave Rosewood Double Flared Plug

Pairs Tear Drop Gauge Plug Earrings/V Shaped Ear Plugs/Stainless Steel Ear Tunnels/Vintage Gauge Earrings/Expander Stretchers/Tunnel Plugs

Brushed steel disk minimalist stud plugs 14g 12g 10g 8g 6g 4g

A Pair of Anemone Flower Organic Ear Gauge Tunnel Plug

Randy the Rainbow Pair, Dangle Gauge & Plug Earrings, Stretched Ears, Pierced Lobes, Cute Fun Kawaii, Wooden Jewelry, Single Flare Tunnels

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