French hook earrings are a drop-earring classic: a hook with a hinged loop closes behind the earlobe in a single movement and holds securely all day. The collection features ‘medical gold’ earrings with pearls, Swarovski crystals and cubic zirconia, for both day and evening wear.
How a French hook works
When you close the earring, the loop locks behind the end of the hook, so the earring cannot slip out. The weight rests on the loop instead of pulling on the earlobe, which is why this fastening is used for drop and long styles, such as our long heart earrings or drop earrings without stones. The fastening is designed for pierced ears; if yours aren't pierced, see our clip-on earrings. A leverback clasp with its locking lever closes even more tightly, but French hook earrings are quicker to put on, so choose whichever matters more to you.
Stones and motifs
Pearls (including black ones), Swarovski crystals and cubic zirconia bring the shine here, in designs ranging from a single white stone and a sparkling clover to an infinity symbol and graphic lines; for a pop of colour, there are green crystal and purple heart designs. If you are looking specifically for pearls or crystals, see our pearl earrings and Swarovski crystal earrings. For every day, choose minimal styles with a smooth ball accent; for special occasions, evening earrings; and for a gift, a matching set from our jewellery sets, such as the Greek Infinity set.
Materials and plating
The gold-tone styles are ‘medical gold’ earrings; we explain what medical gold is in a separate article, and you'll find all our gold-plated jewellery in one place. The collection includes 24K gold plating in the colour of pure gold, 18K gold plating in a pale or reddish tone, and platinum plating for a cool shine, as on our platinum-plated French hook earrings. Some styles are made of nickel-free 316L surgical steel.
Delivery is free on orders of €30 or more, and every order comes with gift packaging. Thousands of completed orders and hundreds of reviews show you can buy with confidence. You'll find other fastenings and shapes in our full earrings catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
Can a French hook earring open by accident?
No — once closed, the loop locks the hook, and the earring won't open with everyday movement. If you want a fully enclosed fastening with a spring-loaded lever, choose leverback earrings.
What are French hook earrings made of?
The gold-tone styles are ‘medical gold’ earrings with 24K or 18K gold plating; there are also platinum-plated styles and styles in nickel-free 316L surgical steel.
Are French hook earrings suitable for sensitive ears?
Yes — the materials contain no nickel, the most common cause of metal allergy, so you can wear these earrings every day even if other jewellery has irritated your skin in the past.
How do I care for gold-plated earrings so the plating lasts longer?
Put your earrings on after perfume and hairspray, wipe them with a soft cloth after wearing and store them separately from other jewellery. More tips are in our jewellery care guide.