Earring Metals, Explained
A 925 stamp means sterling silver, at least 92.5 percent pure; karats count gold in 24ths, so 18k has more gold than 14k, and nickel often causes allergy.
By Elliana SmithContributing writer.
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The short answer
The stamp on an earring tells you what it is made of, and in the US those stamps follow the Federal Trade Commission's guides for the jewelry industry:
- 925 or sterling: at least 92.5 percent pure silver.
- 14k, 18k and similar: solid gold alloy, with the number giving the gold content in 24ths.
- Gold plated, gold filled or vermeil: a gold layer over another metal.
If your ears itch or turn red, nickel is a common cause, so the metal matters more than the style.
What does 925 mean on jewelry?
Under the FTC guides, an item may be called sterling, sterling silver or solid silver only if it is at least 925 parts per thousand pure silver, which is where the 925 stamp comes from. A plain "silver" label without a number is not allowed by the guides; a fineness figure in parts per thousand should come right before the word, such as "925 silver".
Silver-plated items should not be stamped "sterling" at all, a rule that comes from the National Stamping Act.
14k vs 18k gold
Pure gold is 24 karat. A lower karat number means the gold is mixed with other metals, and the FTC guides say such an alloy should be marked with its karat, such as "14 Karat Gold" or "14K".
| Stamp | Gold content |
|---|---|
| 24k | 24 of 24 parts (fine gold) |
| 18k | 18 of 24 parts, or 75 percent |
| 14k | 14 of 24 parts, or about 58 percent |
| 10k | 10 of 24 parts, or about 42 percent |
So 18k holds more gold than 14k, and 14k holds more of the other metals in the alloy. For sensitive ears, those other metals are the point: the American Academy of Dermatology lists 18, 22 and 24 karat yellow gold among its safer choices, and does not list 14k.
Plated and filled gold
- Gold plated / electroplated: a gold layer of at least 10 karat over a base metal, durable enough to last, with its karat stated.
- Gold filled: a mechanically bonded gold layer making up at least 1/20th of the metal's weight.
- Vermeil: sterling silver coated with gold of at least 10 karat.
Once a thin layer wears, the metal beneath touches your skin.
Hypoallergenic earrings for sensitive ears
The American Academy of Dermatology says nickel allergy often starts with jewelry, and names earrings and earring backs among the biggest culprits. Its advice is to wear only jewelry that is nickel-free, hypoallergenic, or made of:
- surgical-grade stainless steel
- 18, 22 or 24 karat yellow gold
- pure sterling silver
- platinum
Check what the backs, posts and hooks are made of too, not only the front.
Earrings on Wiki Shopping
Of the 214 earrings listed on Wiki Shopping on October 26, 2026, 142 state a type: 77 studs, 39 hoops and 26 drop and dangle styles. By material, 38 list stainless steel and 18 list sterling silver. Browse them under clothing, shoes and jewelry.
How we count
Types and materials are read from each store listing. Earrings without a stated value, or in a value with too few listings for its own page, are left out. The counts change as listings are added or removed.