Cuff ‘Em — Add an Edgy Twist to any Ensemble with these Ear Cuffs

Ear cuffs have been steadily gaining popularity since last year’s punk-themed Met Gala event, when Nicole Richie, Sienna Miller and Cara DeLevigne all sported these accessories with their respective ensembles (Richie opted for Dana Rebeca Designs ear cuffs whereas Miller and DeLevigne both wore Genevieve Jones designs). This punk-flavored jewelry item’s caché has been further bolstered by subsequent events — particularly the 2014 Golden Globe Awards, during which Rashida Jones wore Ana Khouri Patricia pearl ear cuffs to add an edgy vibe to her white Fausto Puglisi dress, with its golden tropical palm tree motifs, and Amber Heard flaunted futuristic Graziela Gems diamond ear cuffs with her navy blue Versace gown (one of our favorite looks of the evening). Like two-finger rings and body harnesses, ear cuffs give any look an aura of thrill-seeking, daredevilish dauntlessness, of playful irreverence. Below, we’ve amassed some of the hottest ear cuffs available — with prices ranging from $15 to $3000. Get ready to refresh your jewelry box for spring!

Sophie Bille Brahe 14K Gold Pearl Ear Cuff, $2850. Available at Net-a-Porter.com

Crafted out of six Akoya pearls graduated in size so that their diameters decrease as they climb along the side of the ear, this Sophie Bille Brahe cuff closely resembles the ear cuffs worn by Rashida Jones at the Golden Globes. Designed for pierced ears, each 1″-long ear cuff features an extended golden post that you can loop through your lobe, positioning the pearls so that they face upward, and then squeezing the golden bar along the inside of your ear to secure the cuff in place.

Ana Khouri Gold Wing Ear Cuff, $1075. Available at Barneys.com

Measuring 12mm in length, this Ana Khouri ear features V-shaped bands in 18k yellow gold arranged to resemble a shield, with three bands facing in one direction and three bands facing the opposite way. This cuff slips right onto the helix area of the ear, the curved rim of the auricula, and can then be squeezed to obtain the desired fit.

Maria Francisca Pepe Encrusted Triple Ring Ear Cuff, $88. Available at IntermixOnline.com

Who said three’s a crowd? This adjustable ear cuff, which can be worn anywhere along the ear, features three yellow gold-toned bands, each featuring round, faceted crystals, with one band featuring orange stones, another featuring magenta ones, and another incorporating black crystals.

BCBGMAXAZRIA Branch Ear Cuff for Left Ear, $18. Available at BCBG.com

Go out on a limb with this nature-inspired ear cuff, which has a bit of a Grecian feel thanks to its leafy branch motif. Made of gold-plated metal, this rounded ear cuff, measuring 2.75″ in length, features a post closure along the bottom, right at the lobe, and an adjustable cuff along the top  to secure it in place at the helix.

PL by Peter Lang Stone Ear Cuff, $55.56. Available at US.Asos.com

Art Deco colors and shapes converge with tribal motifs in this Bohemian-flavored ear cuff from Australian jewelry designer Peter Lang. Meant to be worn individually, this ear cuff features a cluster of resin stones — a prong-set, almond-shaped coral stone at the post; two round, faceted, prong-set stones above it (one a cornflower blue and another a bright lemon yellow); and a slightly smaller, clear, round cubic zirconia at the top of this rounded row. A row of rectangular orange crystal stones is positioned adjacently, the stones fanning out to create a shape reminiscent of a headdress or crest.  A long golden chain dangles loosely from one of the lower rectangular stones, grazing the shoulder, its end punctuated by an almond-shaped coral resin stone.

Eddie Borgo Pavé Lattice Ear Cuff, $340. Available at EddieBorgo.com

These dramatic silver and sapphire ear cuffs are as splashy as crystal cabaret headpieces. Each ear cuff features six pentagon-shaped pieces, crafted out of silver, some featuring hollow centers and others filled completely. Each pentagon shape features sapphire stones, either along its perimeter, or all along its surface. The hand-set sapphire stones transition from a deeper blue to a lighter shade along the top, creating a stunning ombré effect. Three strands of sapphire crystals, measuring 2″ in total length, create a playful bit of fringe, adding movement and cheer to the design.

Luv AJ Shark Tooth Ear Cuffs, $55. Available at MaxandChloe.com

These gunmetal-toned cuffs have plenty of bite — literally. Made of brass and oxidized silver, these 1″-long ear cuffs feature five gnarly shark teeth, each chomper overlapping the next and creating an arched shape. The cuffs feature a post closure for pierced ears and an adjustable ear cuff soldered at the top, which can be squeezed for a snug fit.

Nasty Gal Coiled Up Ear Cuff, $15. Available at NastyGal.com

This charmer wants to slither its way into your heart — and your jewelry box. Measuring 2.25″ in length, this slip-on ear cuff can be positioned right above the ear, so that the gold-and-black snake’s neck twists around the top of the ear, its head grazing the triangular fossa (that indentation or fold along the upper area of the outer ear). Two red crystals at the eyes compound the dangerous vibe of this statement piece.

Kismet by Milka Heroine Ear Cuff, £1500. Available at Shop.KismetbyMilka.com

Noir Jewelry Queen Bee Creeper Earring and Stud Set, $40. Available at NoirJewelry.com

Assert your HBIC status with this earring set, which features one ear cuff with the words “Queen Bee” in cursive letters and one pyramid-shaped stud earring.

LeiVanKash Dagger Ear Cuff in Gold, £187.50. Available at OxygenBoutique.com

Take a stab at the ear cuff trend with this LeiVanKash piece, handcrafted out of bronze and featuring a yellow gold finish. A row of four daggers curve around the ear, secured in place by a top clip and butterfly pin.

BCBGMAXAZRIA Spike Ear Cuff, $24. Available at BCBG.com

Give your ear a Mohawk with this silver-toned cuff, featuring triangular spikes with cut-outs along their centers. This easy-to-wear piece fits right over the ear like a Bluetooth device, hugging its natural curvature.

Nasty Gal Clear As A Crystal Ear Cuff, $15. Available at NastyGal.com

If, like me, you once pierced every available surface area along the outer rim of your ears, then you’ll appreciate the flavor of this slip-on ear cuff, which features four silver-toned rings, each encrusted with two rows of clear crystal stones.

Urban Outfitters Beaded Moon Cuff Earring, $20. Available at UrbanOutfitters.com

This silver-toned earring is shaped like an elongated crescent moon, with clear crystals encrusted all along its length. The 2.25″-long piece features a post backing at the lobe and a squeezable cuff along its upper area so that it can be positioned to look like it’s climbing along the edge of the ear.

Nissa Jewelry Carnaby Climbing Single Earring, $55. Available at NissaJewelry.com

This geometric earring does double duty — it can be worn as a standard dangle earring, with its three hollow diamond shapes hanging up to 1″ below the lobe, or it can be worn as an ear cuff by turning it upside down and squeezing the hook along the back your ear, securing it in place.

Love Rocks Swirl Rhinestone Ear Cuff, $46.30. Available at US.Asos.com

A little bit Las Vegas showgirl and a bit Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, this flashy ear cuff features gunmetal-toned strips with swirling shapes that, together resemble the curling feathers of a samba dancer’s headdress — but with a futuristic, space-aged twist. Each swirling shape features rhinestones in bright shades of fuchsia, hydrangea pink, or deep orange, with only a single curved line boasting clear, rectangular rhinestone embellishments.