Fourteen: A, B, C, D, E, H, J, K, L, M, R, S, T and W. It is a curated set rather than a partial alphabet, weighted to the letters the most first names start with. Thirteen of the fourteen hold ten or more pairs on hand.

Every letter here has sold in the last twelve months. Among the well-stocked ones Initial A leads at 8 pairs, with Initial E and Initial C at 7 each and Initial K at 6.

All of them are built the same way: a micro letter in 18K gold plate over surgical-grade stainless steel, on a 20G (0.8mm), 7mm screw-on flat back post. All of them are waterproof and tarnish-resistant, all of them are lead, copper and nickel free, and all of them passed ASTM F2923-20, the US children's jewelry standard, at QIMA Testing Limited. One price across the set, $32 a pair.

The flat back is why initials work as a second or third piercing: nothing sits proud behind the lobe.

Also worth seeing: screw-on flatback studs is the full 314-style range these come from, and silver flat back stud earrings has 55 styles if gold is not your metal. For everything built on the same nickel-free post, see hypoallergenic waterproof jewelry.

Fourteen letters are: A, B, C, D, E, H, J, K, L, M, R, S, T and W. If yours is on that list it is here at $32 a pair.

Yes, and that is what the flat back is for. The post screws on and finishes flush behind the lobe, so there is nothing to dig in overnight.

All of them are surgical-grade stainless steel under the gold plate, and lead, copper and nickel free. Each passed ASTM F2923-20 at QIMA Testing Limited.

Yes. All of them are rated waterproof and tarnish-resistant.