Ear cuffs are pieces of jewelry that are designed to hug the upper portion of the ear. An individual wearing an ear cuff does not need to have pierced ears, because the earring is designed in a curved shape which fits snugly around the folds of the outer ear. They are widely used in many cultures as decorative jewelry, and come in a variety of metals and designs to serve as accessories for a wide range of personal styles. Many jewelry stores carry or will order ear cuffs, and people interested in purchasing them can also use Internet resources.

A very basic ear cuff may be little more than a plain band of curved metal or wire. Wire ear cuffs are very common, and are usually made by twisting several pieces of wire together into swirling, curvy patterns which can cover a small portion of the upper ear, or a large area. Plain metal bands are often decorated with etched designs such as stripes, dots, or spirals.

More commonly, ear cuffs are designed with decorative features like earrings which dangle from them, or gemstones. Strings of beads can be suspended from ear cuffs, as can decoratively shaped wire, bone, wood, and metal ornaments. In some cases, these decorative pieces may be designed to detach from the ear cuffs, while in others, the jewelry takes the form of a solid piece. Gemstones are usually set into the side of the ear cuff which is designed to face out, so that they can be clearly seen.

Some ear cuffs are designed in the form of specific, rather than abstract, shapes. Ear cuffs may take the form of a clinging female body, a leaf, or a type of animal such as a frog. Usually these ear cuffs are cast as a solid piece of metal, and they may also be ornamented with small gemstones. Although they are commonly very simple, in some cases, these designs may allow for dangling ornaments to be attached.

The metals used to make ear cuffs vary widely. Common choices are silver and gold, although titanium, copper, and other metals can be used as well. The potential for allergic reaction is less of a concern than with earrings, because the ear cuff does not penetrate the body, although some metals may cause the skin to change color. If you know that you are sensitive to a particular metal when it is used in necklaces, bracelets, and other fully external jewelry, you should also avoid it in ear cuffs.