Position for clip-on earrings backs

I have only made a couple of pairs of clip-on earrings. I am
never sure where the should be positioned. I have used
sterling backs. Would nickel be better? I have already
searched the archives for this.

J. S. Ellington
jsellington@cs.com

Easy question – how do you know exactly where to solder the post
for an earring concerning weight distribution, etc. I have had the
occasion, especially on earrings with stones or heavier metal
designs where the customer tries them on and they droop. I do offer
the plastic washer backs to customers but usually if there is any
extra effort involved the sale is lost. Is there some way before
soldering to test out how the earring is going to hang??

Thanks, G. Cleveland

 I have only made a couple of pairs of clip-on earrings. I am
never sure where the  should be positioned. I have used sterling
backs. Would nickel be better? I have already searched the archives
for this.

Unless these clip earrings are for yourself, never, never, never use
nickel. Of all the metal allergies folks have, nickel is the most
prevalent and most uncomfortable. If even the tiniest part of the
nickel piece touches the ear, reactions can occur.

Good luck with the rest of your question. I’m interested in that
point as well.

Betty

Correction to my post - I am asking about soldered posts.

    Easy question --  how do you know exactly where to solder the
post for an earring concerning weight distribution, etc.  I have
had the occasion, especially on earrings with stones or heavier
metal designs where the customer tries them on and they droop. I do
offer the plastic washer backs to customers but usually if there is
any extra effort involved the sale is lost.  Is there some way
before soldering to test out how the earring is going to hang?? 

Grace

I have only made a couple of pairs of clip-on earrings. I am never
sure where the  should be positioned. I have used sterling backs.
Would nickel be better?

Not sure about the position, but nickel is never better if the metal
will be against skin. I have a bad, bad nickel allergy.

(If you do, too, and you’re having surgery that might involve screws
or pins, make sure to tell the surgeon you have a nickel allergy!)

Christine, in Littleton, Massachusetts

Hello Grace,

I don’t think there is a “one place fits all” for soldering on
posts. If the design is circular and rotation is not a problem, put
the post in the center. Offset the post toward the top of the
earring if you want it to always hang a certain way. Just don’t put
the post real close to the top edge - allow some coverage for those
whose pierces have stretched over the years.

An effective backing for heavy earrings are the 1/4" diameter
friction nuts in sterling or gold. They don’t look cheap like the
plastic discs, and are much easier to handle. I’ve had customers
who like them so much that they buy several pairs to use on other
earrings.

Hope this helps,
Judy in Kansas

Thanks for the comments Judy. I have not had the same experience with
the large friction nuts. I use large, good quality friction nuts and
still have earrings that droop. I agree the plastic washers although
effective, look cheap and are difficult to handle and very easily
lost when removing the earrings. I do wish there was a better way.

Grace

Grace,

If the design allows for it you may want to try the French back or
what is sometimes today referred to as the Omega back.

This items looks very much like one of the old clip on backs except
it is an open center wire. You still use a post that goes through
the hole in your ear and then clip the back in place. No clutch is
needed with this assembly.

This style was very popular in the mid 20th cent. and used by some
of the better Jewelers in the world. It works very well on heavier
earrings.

Good Luck
Greg DeMark
email: greg@demarkjewelry.com
Website: www.demarkjewelry.com
Custom Jewelry - Handmade Jewelry - Antique Jewelry