Editing Earring (section)

{{Short description|Type of jewelry and body piercing}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox Piercing
| name = Earrings
| nicknames    =
| image        = Positions of earrings.jpg
| image_capt   = Common terminology for ear piercing locations: 1: helix; 2: industrial; 3: rook; 4: daith; 5: tragus; 6: snug; 7: conch; 8: antitragus; 9: lobe
| location     = [[Ear]]
| jewelry      = [[Captive bead ring]], [[barbell (piercing)|barbell]], [[barbell (piercing)|circular barbell]], [[flesh plug]]
| healing time = 6–12 months
}}

'''Earrings''' are [[jewelry]] that can be worn on one's [[ears]]. Earrings are commonly worn in a [[piercing]] in the earlobe<ref>{{Cite web |title=Definition of earring |url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/earring |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=[[Dictionary.com]] |language=en}}</ref> or another external part of the ear, or by [[#Clip-on and other non-pierced earrings|some other means]], such as stickers or clip-ons. Earrings have been worn across multiple civilizations and historic periods, often carrying a cultural significance.

Locations for piercings other than the earlobe include the [[Rook (piercing)|rook]], [[Tragus piercing|tragus]], and across the [[Helix (ear)|helix]] (see image in the [[infobox]]). The simple term "ear piercing" usually refers to an earlobe piercing, whereas piercings in the upper part of the [[Pinna (anatomy)|external ear]] are often referred to as "[[cartilage]] piercings". Cartilage piercings are more complex to perform than earlobe piercings and take longer to heal.<ref name="Piercing? Stick to the Earlobe">{{cite web |last=Davis |first=Jeanie |title=Piercing? Stick to Earlobe |url=http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20021024/piercing-stick-to-earlobe |publisher=[[WebMD]] |access-date=5 January 2014}}</ref>

Earring components may be made of any number of materials, including [[metal]], [[plastic]], [[glass]], [[gemstone|precious stone]], [[bead]]s, [[wood]], [[bone]], and other materials. Designs range from small hoops and studs to large plates and dangling items. The size is ultimately limited by the physical capacity of the earlobe to hold the earring without tearing. However, heavy earrings worn over extended periods of time can lead to stretching of the piercing; [[ear stretching]] can also be done intentionally.