Updated November 2026 · By Kovalya, a Canadian brand
Short answer: for name earrings worn every day, look at three things before the price: the base metal (stainless steel, sterling silver or gold-filled), how the gold colour is applied, and whether the posts themselves are nickel-free. Then check the name: most names fit beautifully in script, but very long names make wider studs. In our own orders, 8 in 10 names have 3 to 6 letters.
Transparency: we make KOVA Name Studs, so we are not neutral. The order data below is ours; the material notes apply to any brand.
1. The base metal
| Base metal | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel | Daily wear, water, sweat; does not darken like silver | Ask which grade (316L is a common one) |
| Sterling silver (925) | A classic precious metal | Tarnishes over time and needs polishing |
| Gold-filled | A thicker gold layer that lasts longer than plating | Usually more expensive |
| Plated brass or alloy | Low prices | The most likely to discolour |
2. The gold colour
Most name earrings under $100 are gold-plated. Plating over stainless steel holds up better than plating over brass, and any plating lasts longer if the earrings stay away from chlorine, perfume and harsh soaps.
3. “Waterproof” and “hypoallergenic”
- Waterproof is a seller's description, not a lab certification. It usually means showers and sweat are fine; pools and hot tubs are harder on any finish.
- Hypoallergenic: for sensitive ears, ask whether the post (the part in the ear) is nickel-free, not only the nameplate.
4. The name and the font
- Script fonts connect the letters into one piece, which looks elegant and is sturdier than separate letters.
- Length: in our latest 99 pairs, 8 in 10 names had 3 to 6 letters, and 5 letters was the most common length. Names up to 10 letters fit, but the stud gets wider.
- Capitals: in script, a capital first letter followed by lowercase reads best.
- Nicknames often look better than long full names: “Ellie” rather than “Eleanor”.
5. Gold or silver?
Over the last 90 days, about 2 in 3 pairs of KOVA Name Studs were ordered in gold. And in about 1 in 4 orders of two pairs, customers chose the same name twice, often one pair in gold and one in silver to match every outfit.
KOVA Name Studs
KOVA Name Studs are made to order with the name of your choice in a flowing script, up to 10 letters, in 18K gold plating or a polished silver finish over premium stainless steel. Designed to be waterproof, sweat-proof, hypoallergenic and tarnish-resistant. Sold as a pair.
Price (November 2026): US$49.90 in the United States, CA$69.90 in Canada, with a second pair free at the time of writing.
FAQ
Can I shower with name earrings?
With stainless steel earrings designed to be waterproof, like ours, yes. Take them off in chlorinated pools to protect the finish.
How long can the name be?
Up to 10 letters on KOVA Name Studs. Most names on our orders are 3 to 6 letters.
Are name studs good for sensitive ears?
Choose stainless steel with nickel-free posts, and ask the seller if you are unsure.
Is a name the only option?
Any word works, as long as it fits in 10 letters: a nickname, a pet's name, a short word that matters.
Shopping for a daughter? See our guide: personalized jewelry gifts for a daughter at every age.