Hangs below the lobe as one line that swings when you move.
Also called: dangle, teardrop, linear drop
The basics
What to know about drop
A drop suspends a single element below the ear from a post, a hook or a lever back. Length is quoted from the top of the finding to the lowest point of the design, not from the lobe. That means a 2 inch drop hangs roughly 1.5 inches below your ear. Around 1 inch, 25 millimeters, reads as everyday; past 2.5 inches, 64 millimeters, the earring reaches the jawline.
One line is what separates a drop from a chandelier: a single articulated element falls straight down instead of branching into tiers. Because all the weight sits at the bottom of that line, the balance point is low. A heavy drop on a plain post tips forward and shows the back of the finding. Lever backs and hooks with a rear loop hold the angle much better.
Movement is both the appeal and the cost. A drop lengthens the neck visually and catches light as you turn, which is why it works with hair up and open necklines. It also catches hair, scarves and coat collars, and a French hook, the plain open wire, slides out of the ear more easily than any other finding. Look for a hook with a safety wire, or switch to lever backs for anything valuable.
Best for
When it works well
Updos and open necklines suit drops, because nothing blocks the space the earring needs to hang in.
The vertical line creates length at the neck, which helps balance a round face.
Occasion dressing without a necklace works here, as the drop carries sparkle at eye level.
Anyone who finds studs too quiet and hoops too round gets a middle answer from a slim linear drop.
