Tight ear nut findings

Jewelry Discussion
1

I have some 18K gold ear nuts for post earrings. They are medium
weight ear nuts. They are the coordinating size for the posts I am
using but they are so tight when trying to push them on. I have some
on a pair of earrings of my own that I have worn frequently for a
year or so. Those have become easier to get on and off the posts over
time. Is there any way to loosen up the new ear nuts so my clients
won’t injure themselves trying to get the earrings backs on and off?
Thank you for any advice you can offer. -Carrie Nunes

2 
   I have some 18K gold ear nuts for post earrings. They are
medium weight ear nuts. They are the coordinating size for the
posts I am using but they are so tight when trying to push them on.

Hi Carrie. The coils on the earnut should be snug to grasp the post
securely at the indentation near the post end. Sometimes they are
quite tight when new.

There are a couple of ways you can “relax” the grip a bit. Place
the tips of small round nosed pliers in the coils and spread the tips
very gently or put the earnuts (coiled part up) on a firm flat
surface and insert a narrow probe or the earring post perpendicularly
between the coils from the back side to slightly spread the coils a
little. Check the fit.

By contrast, if the fit is too loose you can tighten the nuts using
parallel jaw pliers. Place them on the outside of the pair of coils
and squeeze gently to bring them a little closer together.

HTH
Pam Chott
Song of the Phoenix

3 
   I have some 18K gold ear nuts for post earrings. They are
medium weight ear nuts. They are the co-ordinating size for the
posts I am using but they are so tight when trying to push them
on......

G’day; The answer is to make a simple reamer. Find a sewing
needle just a little thicker than the earring post and hold it in a
good pair of pliers near the point. Now use another pair of flat
nosed pliers to snap off the point, and round the end off with a
stone or wet-'n’dry papers, Hold the needle in a bench vice with
the eye upwards, and tap a piece of dowel about 3" long on to the
needle. Now you have a useful reamer which will last. If it isn’t
quite the right size just do another one… You might find it
useful to sand or cut a flat on the wood close to the end and glue a
piece of velcro on it, A matching piece of velcro at your bench
side will enable it to be stored easily.

Cheers for now,
John Burgess; @John_Burgess2 of Mapua, Nelson NZ

4

Hello Carrie, Try inserting a large “T” pin point in the ear nut
opening. The point is tapered, so you can gently force it further
in the hole and slightly flare the hole. If the gold is hard, drop
the “gently” and use more force. Judy in Kansas, where it is finally
raining!

Judy M. Willingham, R.S.
Biological and Agricultural Engineering
237 Seaton Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan KS 66506
(785) 532-2936