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.

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
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
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

Gauge & Plug Earrings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ECJ Custom Plug Board- Wood Plug Earring Organizer- 2g, 0g, 00g, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 7/8, 1"-Gauges Dangle Plugs

Brass Dipped in Gold Blanks With Loop Plug Gauges

Hannya/Oni plug 12-80mm

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

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

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"

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

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

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

Hoop gauges vintage ear weights gold silver earrings tribal body hangers jewelry unisex hippie 6g plugs unique gift expanders festival

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Molasses Alien Skinz Skin Tone Silicone Ear Plugs Tunnel Gauges Eyelets Thin Flesh Dark Brown 6g 4g 2g 0g 00g 1/2" 9/16" 5/8" 11/16" 7/8" 1"

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

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

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

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"

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

Hecate Black Steel Metal Ear Plugs Gauges Tunnels Pair 14g 12g 10g 8g 6g 4g 2g 0g 00g 1/2" 9/16" 5/8" 11/16" 3/4" 7/8" 1" 26mm 28mm 30mm

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

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

32PCS Silicone Tunnels/Soft Ear Gauges/2g-1''Silicone Gauges/Plugs and Tunnels/Silicone Plugs/Tunnel Earrings/Ear Stretcher/Ear Expander

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

8PCS Soft Silicone Ear Gauges/2g-1''Silicone Ear Plugs/Silicone Gauges/Flexible Ear Skin Tunnels/Plug Gauges/Valentines Gifts for her

Pairs Blue Super Spiral Earring Plugs/Acrylic Hanging Tapers/Plug Earrings/Expanders Stretchers/Spiral Hanger Plug/Unisex Ear Gauges 10g,6g

Wedding Gauges 8g 6g 4g 2g 0g 00g, 7/16", 1/2", 9/16", 5/8", 3/4", 7/8", 1" 25mm Bridal Plugs 10mm 12mm 14mm 16mm 19mm 22mm

Set of 2 Replacement Detachable Tunnel Hoops - Gold Silver Copper or Bronze - Hammered Hoops - 12G HOOPS - 2” 2.5” 3” - Ear Weights Hangers

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

The Random Awesome Bag of Plugs

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

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

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

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

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

Beige Alien Skinz Skin Tone Silicone Ear Plugs Tunnels Gauges Eyelets Thin Flesh Ear Skins 8g 6g 4g 2g 0g 00g 1/2" 9/16" 5/8" 11/16" 7/8" 1"

2g (6mm) - 1 3/16 (30mm) Gold Tone Plated Glass Saddles Hiders Drop Dangle Earrings Gauges/Earplugs Plugs

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

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

Up To 3" Black Alien Skinz Soft Silicone Ear Plugs Tunnels Gauges Eyelets Ear Skins 8g 6g 4g 2g 0g 00g 1/2" 9/16" 5/8" 3/4" 7/8" 1" 2" 3"

Up to 2" Beige Alien Plugz Soft Silicone Skin Tone Ear Plugs Tunnels Gauge Light Flesh 8g 6g 4g 2g 0g 00g 1/2" 9/16" 5/8" 3/4" 7/8" 1” 50mm

Crystal plugs Square CZ halo stud white gold silver wedding plugs for gauged or stretched ears: Sizes 12g 10g 8g 6g 4g 2g 1g 0g

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