What to do with a single earring

You lose one. The other sits in the dish for months. You keep it because throwing it out feels wrong, and it never gets worn.

Here are seven things to do with it.

1. Wear it on its own

One earring in one ear looks deliberate. It works best with a hoop, a drop or a pearl. Pair it with a plain stud in the other ear.

2. Mismatch it

Take two lone earrings from different pairs. Wear one in each ear. Keep the same metal colour or the same mood, such as pearl with pearl or stone with stone.

3. Turn it into a necklace

A drop earring with a hook is the easiest to convert. Open the hook with small pliers, thread it onto a fine chain and close it. This takes five minutes.

4. Pin it on

A stud can go on a jacket lapel, a denim collar or a tote strap. Put a back on the post so it holds and doesn't scratch.

5. Hang it on a bag

Anything with a loop can go on a zip pull, keyring or bag strap. A pearl or stone drop looks good there.

6. Put it in your hair

Slip a small drop onto a bobby pin or a plain hair clip. Add a dot of jewellery glue if it moves.

7. Keep a "wait for a match" dish

Sometimes the other one turns up in a coat pocket or the car. Give it a month, then use one of the ideas above.

How to lose fewer

Most lost earrings come from a loose back, not a broken post. Check the backs when you put them on. Switch to locking backs for pieces you love. Put them on and take them off over a towel or a tray, not over the sink. And when you take them off, put them straight into the same dish every time.

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