By Julie Livingston Few fashion accessories make as much of an impact as earrings. One of the earliest forms of jewelry, earrings were first designed by ancient cultures. Impressive examples of gold hoops and other more elaborate earring styles were found in the Egyptian king Tutankhamun's gold encrusted tomb. To this day, earrings remain in the forefront of fashion. Four Earring Essentials Like lipstick, earrings are a beauty basic that make you feel pulled together and "dressed," even when accenting the most casual attire. Because of their close proximity to the face, earrings can light up a woman's complexion, draw attention to her eyes or change the tone of an outfit almost single-handedly. Although the design options are literally endless, there are several core styles that are "workhorse pieces": the ones that take a woman from day to evening and are appropriate for a variety of outfits and occasions. Diamond or pearl studs: Quietly elegant, these fashion basics can be worn with other jewelry--a strand of pearls, diamond solitaire necklace, even a gold chain--or on their own. If you lean toward the classic, look for round diamond studs of a quarter carat or more. Updated shape and style variations include square princess cut diamonds, pearl studs with diamond accents or delicate diamond flowers and stars. Hoops: Depending on hoop size and style, you can look sexy--think: Jennifer Lopez--or sophisticated and stylish. Either way, today's hoops are definitely more glam than ever and include bold gemstone accents, such as narrow gold wires dotted with diamonds or white gold with diamond heart-shaped flat hoops that contour the ear. Also, check out the new crop of reversible hug-style designs, which change from yellow to white gold or platinum. Sometimes adorned with jewels or embellished with rich texture, huggies, like all hoops, dress up or down. Dangles: Dainty drops add a subtle romantic accent to any outfit. Petite Eurowires bedecked with diamonds graze the tip of the ear lobe with their antique look and feel while longer, more dramatic styles--a multistrand drop that dangles in front and behind the ear-- are made for dressier occasions. Colored gemstones: Colored gemstone earrings add a vibrant burst of color to a woman's jewelry wardrobe. Check out gemstone favorites, including blue topaz, pink or green tourmaline, citrine and amethyst which offer radiant color without a hefty price tag. When purchasing gemstone jewelry, it's wise to consider your favorite color, opting for hues that flatter your complexion and eyes. The Right Earrings For You Highly collectible, always desirable, it's important to buy earrings that complement your own individual beauty. Styles should be in proportion to your facial features and figure type. Any earring style, no matter how large or small, should sit properly on the ear without tipping. Here are some basic guidelines:   Petite women can wear big, airy shapes   Large-size earrings make the nose appear less prominent   Colorful gemstones brighten the complexion   Long faces benefit from wider width earrings   Full faces should avoid round shapes, but benefit from oval or angular designs   Drop earrings can accentuate a beautiful, long neck Style Report If you're looking to update your existing earring wardrobe, here's a list of the latest fashion styles available on Mondera.com: White: The cool, modern look of platinum or white gold embellished with diamonds. Color: Brilliant colored gems in simple, bezel set studs. Floral Designs: Feminine flowers like dogwood or lilies and leaf designs offset with pearls, diamonds and colored stones. Diamond accents: Versatile enough for day or night, diamond accents and pavé add a touch of brilliance to just about any earring style imaginable. Julie Livingston is a New York City-based jewelry and fashion expert who has written and reported on style and design trends. A former fashion editor, she is a passionate jewelry collector and enjoys communicating the romance and beauty of buying and wearing and building a jewelry wardrobe.