Why is a ball added to the ear wire on a French-style ear wire? Is it just decoration or is it functional?
It prevents the earring from slipping off of the earlobe.
It could be decorative. But mostly it’s functional. It prevents any dangles (held on with tiny jump rings) from sliding off. It’s a contact buffer (no sharp cut end to dig into skin or snap on clothing or hair). What it doesn’t do is stop the earring from falling out of the ear lobe.
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When I make my ear wires, I cut 2” of 20 gauge Argentium wire and the next step is to ball the ends with my PUK. It isn’t decorative, it is a way to quickly dull them so that they aren’t sharp. It is a lot faster than using a cup bur or grinding and polishing. I usually make 25 pair at a time and then tape 25 wires to a metal ruler and attach the ground strip to the ruler. Do it again and 5 minutes later they are all done…Rob
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