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For an everyday pair, first shortlist earrings with a suitable material and fit, then compare the delivered price of two complete pieces. Eliminate listings that leave those essentials unclear. A lower price does not help if it buys one earring, a decoration without a post, or a size you cannot wear.
1. Decide exactly what needs to arrive
For a matching pair, your basket needs two complete earrings. For a curated ear with different designs, singles may be exactly what you want. For a repair, an end or post is useful only if it connects to the piece you already own.
Cords Club’s Postage Stamp page shows why the selector matters: the text describes one stud and the page also displays Single/Pair options. Confirm the selected quantity in the cart. If it is still ambiguous, send the store the exact option and ask: “Does this include two complete studs, each with its post?”
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2. Treat material and color as separate choices
“Gold” in a color selector does not mean solid gold. The Postage Stamp listing describes titanium, with a gold-plated titanium option. The base metal and surface finish are separate parts of the purchase.
Use a material you know suits you as the starting point. If a listing only gives a color or a broad “hypoallergenic” description, ask for the underlying material before ordering. For a new or healing piercing, use a qualified piercer’s material and fit guidance.
3. Match the post before falling for the decoration
Post thickness and length decide whether a stud matches your fit requirements; front dimensions help you judge its appearance. An enlarged photograph cannot answer either question.
Start with the measurements of suitable jewelry you already wear or get a piercer’s fitting advice. Do not guess a new gauge from a close-up photo. When comparing designs, a ruler marked in millimeters is more useful than how large the product looks on a screen.
| If the listing says… | It tells you… | It does not tell you… |
|---|---|---|
| 18 gauge / 1 mm | The post thickness in this listing. | Whether that is the thickness you need. |
| 6 mm post | The listed post length. | The width of the decorative front. |
| 5.4 × 3 mm front | The decoration’s approximate dimensions. | How the complete earring fits your piercing. |
4. Compare the basket you will actually use
Put each option on the same basis: the same number of complete earrings, delivered to the same address. Include required posts and any shipping or taxes. You can then decide whether the design is worth the difference.
Skip a bundle if it adds pieces you would leave unworn. If you only want one stud, a promotion that requires several can increase what you spend without improving your purchase. Read return exclusions before treating an unfamiliar fit as something you can simply send back.
5. Buy, ask, or move on
| Your situation | Best next step |
|---|---|
| Material, fit, quantity and total are clear | Buy the design you prefer within your budget. |
| A required detail is missing but the item otherwise suits you | Ask one specific question about that exact variant. |
| The seller cannot identify the material or included pieces | Choose a clearer listing. |
| The only attraction is a discount on the wrong size or quantity | Skip it. |
| You are unsure what size your piercing needs | Get the fit established before ordering. |
When the order arrives
Before discarding packaging, compare the contents with your order: number of complete pieces, selected finish, and any separately purchased posts. Keep the order details while resolving a discrepancy.
Follow the maker’s handling instructions for the closure. If a component does not connect as expected, contact the seller rather than forcing it.
Help with a specific purchase
Continue with How to choose hoop earring size: inner diameter vs outer size, Gold-plated vs gold-alloy earrings: which should you buy?, How to choose earrings as a gift when you are unsure of their style.
Common questions
Should I buy one stud first or a pair?
Buy one if you need a single piercing filled or want to try that design before a larger set. Buy two complete studs if you specifically want a matching pair. The lowest single-stud price is only useful when one is what you need.
Is gold-plated titanium the same as solid gold?
No. Gold-plated titanium has a titanium base with a gold finish. Solid gold describes a different construction; do not treat a color option as proof of it.
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Should I add another item for free shipping?
Only if you want that item and the resulting total is worthwhile. Spending more on unwanted jewelry to remove a delivery fee still leaves you spending more.
Explore Cords Club
Cords Club is relevant if your shortlist includes decorative flat-back studs. Use the brand guide to compare its singles, post sizes and finishes before choosing a design. You do not need a bundle to make a sensible first purchase.
Shop Cords Club ↗Affiliate linkSources
This guide draws on published product information, not hands-on testing. Sources and check dates are listed below.
- Association of Professional Piercers: jewelry construction and fitSource checked Sep 19, 2026
- Cords Club: Postage Stamp Flat Back Stud listingSource checked Sep 19, 2026
- Cords Club: flat-back closures, sizing and quantitiesSource checked Sep 19, 2026
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