GRA Moissanite Hoop Earrings, 1.2mm to 2mm in s925

A small hoop with stones set around it is the most useful earring you can own. It closes against the lobe, has no post to pull on and does not swing about, so it can stay in through sleep, exercise and a full day at work. The huggie shape also stacks well, which means you can add a second or third pair higher up the ear later without the set looking cluttered or mismatched.

The stones are moissanite and the pair is GRA certified, so the quality is documented rather than assumed. Moissanite is silicon carbide, harder than most gems at 9.25 on the Mohs scale, so the stones resist the scratches that turn a daily earring grey and flat. Its refractive index of about 2.65, above a diamond's 2.42, gives it extra coloured fire even at very small sizes, which is where a lot of cheaper stones go dull. The hoop is s925 sterling silver, a safe choice for most ears.

Stone size is the only real decision. The 1.2mm is the finest option and the easiest to layer with other earrings. The 1.5mm is the balanced middle that looks right on almost every ear. The 2mm is the most visible and gives the hoop a bolder line when worn alone. All three suit women and men, and they work equally well in a first piercing or in a cartilage position. The size is listed per stone, so compare it to the hoop width before ordering.

• Stone: moissanite, GRA certified
• Stone sizes: 1.2mm, 1.5mm or 2mm each stone
• Metal: s925 sterling silver
• Type: huggie hoop
• Wear: daily, sleep friendly
• Suits: women and men