How to Build an Ear Stack With Cords Club: Placements, Gauges and Hoop Sizes (As Listed)

An ear stack is simply a planned mix of studs and hoops across several piercings, and Cords Club sells most of its pieces singly so you can build one hole at a time. The catch is that every spot on the ear has its own fit: post thickness, post length, hoop diameter and the size of the front all matter. This guide walks through how to plan a stack using what Cords Club's own listings and piercing guide say about placements, gauges and hoop sizes. It is a planning guide based on the product pages, not a fitting service, so a piercer's measurement of your own ear always comes first. For prices, shipping and the brand overall, see our full Cords Club review.

Map your piercings before you shop

Cords Club's "Piercing 101" guide describes each placement and the kind of jewelry it suggests. In summary, as the brand puts it:

• Lobe and upper lobe: lobes take "literally everything," and second and third lobe piercings are "great for stacking."
• Helix and forward helix: flat back studs or dainty hoops for the outer rim; tiny flat backs for the forward helix near the face.
• Flat: the flat cartilage between the helix and rook, which the guide calls good "real estate" for statement flat back studs.
• Conch: a stud or a hoop; the brand says its flat backs "hug this area."
• Tragus: flat back studs that will not snag.
• Daith and rook: small hoops or curved pieces for the daith, and dainty pieces for the rook.

Write down each piercing you have, whether it is fully healed, and what gauge it was pierced at if you know it. The brand's own advice is to "stack with intention" by mixing studs and hoops. A practical approach is to put your boldest piece in one spot, usually the first lobe or the flat, and keep the pieces around it smaller.

Gauges and posts: match each piece to each hole

Gauge is post thickness, and Cords Club uses three across its range:

• 18 gauge (1.0mm): the default for flat back studs, according to the FAQ, and for the plain Clicker Hoop and Gem Clicker Hoops.
• 20 gauge (0.8mm): most fashion huggies such as the Essential Hoops and Titanium Solitaire Hoops, plus enamel dangle studs such as the Carousel Horse.
• 16 gauge (1.2mm): daith hoops and the Maris Pearl Clicker Hoop.

Stud fronts are threadless, and several listings say they are "compatible with most 16 or 20 gauge threadless labret posts." Each stud ships with a 6mm (1/4 inch) post with a disc of 3mm or 4mm, depending on the design. Spare 18 gauge titanium posts cost $9 each in 5mm, 6mm, 8mm or 10mm, which is useful when a cartilage piercing or a thicker lobe needs more length. A 16 gauge post is also sold at $9, but its listing gives the thickness as 1.0mm, the same figure used for 18 gauge, so confirm with the brand if the difference matters for your piercing.

Hoop sizes: diameters for lobe, helix, conch and daith

Hoop sizes are given as the interior diameter. Small hoops sit snug against the ear; larger ones hang lower and leave room for charms. Sizes as listed:

• Clicker Hoop: $16 each, 18 gauge titanium, in 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 10mm and 12mm. The listing says it suits lobe or cartilage piercings, though its description mentions only 6mm, 8mm and 10mm.
• Gem Clicker Hoops: $18 (6mm), $20 (8mm) or $22 (10mm) each, 18 gauge, lined with clear, garnet-toned or black stones. One listing says the three sizes let you "build your perfect stack."
• Carbonation Clicker Hoop: $17 each, 18 gauge, 10mm, described for cartilage such as a conch, or for lobes.
• Essential Hoops: sold as a pair, 20 gauge, from 8mm ($22) to 40mm ($42), the widest size range in this list.
• Daith hoops: 16 gauge hinged clickers in 8mm or 10mm, sold singly, such as the Chain-Link ($38 or $40), I Bite Back ($40 or $42) and Deco Onyx ($52 or $54). The listings say they suit daith or septum piercings.

Every clicker listing carries the same fit tip: the post can shift slightly, so test the closure and adjust it until you hear a secure click before wearing. Hoops sold "individually" mean one earring, so add two to the cart if you want a matching pair.

Choosing studs by placement and front size

Each stud listing gives the approximate size of the front, which is what decides whether it fits a tight spot. Examples from the listings:

• Micro Love Triangle ($23): about 3.4mm, described for "a lobe or cartilage." The listing notes that prong settings can catch on hair or fibers.
• Opal 4mm ($28): a 4mm stone, described as great in a first or second piercing and possibly a tragus "depending on your anatomy."
• Selene Pearl Climber ($30): an arc about 2.6 x 6.3mm, described for a conch, helix or disconnected third. Its faux pearls are not waterproof.
• Deco Marquise Fan ($41): about 8.9 x 4.5mm, a larger statement piece for "cartilage, lobes, or wherever your anatomy allows."

Small round or bezel-set fronts tend to sit flatter, while dangles and long climbers need more space. As a rough cost guide, one ear with a Gem Clicker in the first lobe (8mm, $20), a Star stud in the second lobe ($15), a plain Clicker Hoop in the helix ($16), a Carbonation Clicker in the conch ($17) and a Micro Love Triangle in the flat ($23) comes to $91 at single prices, which clears the $75 US free-shipping threshold.

Materials across a stack: titanium and stainless steel

Mixing pieces means mixing materials, so read each listing's materials line:

• ASTM F136 titanium (as listed): the plain Clicker Hoop, Gem Clicker Hoops, Carbonation Clicker, the daith hoops above, Titanium Solitaire Hoops, spare posts and the studs named in this guide.
• Stainless or surgical steel, not titanium: Essential Hoops, Esme and Lucent hoops, the Micro Pearl Flat Back Stud (316L surgical steel) and the Maris Pearl Clicker Hoop. The Maris Pearl and Capri hoop listings offer a variant named "Titanium," but their materials lines say stainless steel, so treat the name as a color.

The FAQ calls implant grade titanium "the most hypoallergenic metal available," which is the brand's claim; if you have a known metal sensitivity, check the materials line on every piece. Returns are accepted within 30 days of the order date for unworn items in original packaging, and refunds carry a 4% processing fee. Any working offers we find are listed on our Cords Club coupons page.

Frequently asked questions

What size hoop should I get for a helix or conch?

Cords Club's titanium clicker hoops come in 6mm to 12mm, and the Carbonation Clicker is 10mm for a conch or lobe. The right size depends on your anatomy, so measure or ask a piercer before ordering.

Can I put Cords Club fronts on a 16 gauge post?

Listings say the fronts are compatible with most 16 or 20 gauge threadless labret posts. Studs ship on an 18 gauge, 6mm post.

Are all Cords Club hoops titanium?

No. Essential, Esme, Lucent and Maris Pearl hoops list stainless steel. Check the materials line on each listing.

The bottom line

Cords Club gives you the parts list for an ear stack: 18 gauge studs with 6mm posts, $9 spare posts from 5mm to 10mm, 18 gauge clickers from 6mm to 12mm, 20 gauge fashion hoops up to 40mm and 16 gauge daith hoops. Map your piercings, match gauge and length to each hole, pick front sizes that fit the space, and check materials piece by piece, since several hoops are steel rather than titanium.

Shop studs and hoops at Cords Club

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