Choosing The Right Earring Fittings

Pierced or non-pierced ears

Many people have their ears pierced because:

they can not find earrings with unpierced fittings they find clip or screw fittings uncomfortable they find pierced earrings more secure. they choose the way it looks. For many, this works reasonably. Some people wear sleepers (when not wearing earrings) to keep the holes open.

However, some can not manage with piercings, either:

because the holes heal exceptionally quickly, or allergies imply that they have a reaction/infection when they are in intimate contact with various metals/finishes can not manage with many pierced fittings as they find them don't like pierced ears

Looking at earring fittings There are an incredible number of ear fittings about, some you see everywhere, some very common in particular areas, some are around but aren't always simple to find and some are about as rare as hens' teeth!

Options for pierced ears

Very common:

Fish Hook This is, is made in one piece with a loop at the front with coil and ball, then curves over in a 'u' shape and the long curved tail behind the ear. There are modified versions: Shepherds Cheat without the ball or coil, or Balian Hook (fantastic to dance in) which has a longer back wire. These are comfortable so long as the wire is not too thin and the drop is not too heavy. Some versions have a flattened area above the coil. These can be uncomfortable because of the weight is distributed at the top point of the curve, or insecure (badly designed weight-wise) - and need a butterfly/scroll/earnut to secure them. Ear Posts which come with a butterfly/scroll. These are a straight bar with a ball at the front and typically a loop hanging below the ball. They are considered by their devotees to be more comfortable because they are thicker wire and the weight is evenly distributed across the inside of the ear lobe, and secure because they come with the butterfly. Kidney Safety wires come with a loop at the front and a hook that wraps around the straight back wire. Very secure, but still have the pressure point from the weight at the top of the wire. Earhoops (which thread through the ear) - these are much favored by many, but can be challenging or unpleasant to thread if the end of the narrower wire is sharp. With the earhoops, particularly the larger ones, as with all 'big' earrings, there is the risk of clothes catching in them, and the earlobes getting ripped. Less common:

The Lever Back has a loop at the front with a lever behind it. The whole makes a fat oval shape the back coming down to fit inside the lever behind the ear - Not a quick job to put them in - very fiddly - but a very secure fitting and more comfortable than a fish hook. The Creole is a smaller heavier hoop with a thin top loop with a hinge at one side and a groove or hollow to fit into at the other side. A fiddly design to put on, not as comfortable as a Shepherds Cheat, but secure when on. The Ear chains or Ear threads, which are either: a fine chain, or a chain with a u' shaped wire attached to the middle of the chain, or a u' shaped wire attached to one end of the chain. All have a straight wire thread attached to one end and a loop to the other end. These thread from the straight end and rest with the 'u' wire, or chain, in the ear, and any drops on the loop. The threading wire can also go through several piercings with a bead hung from each piece of looped chain. For balance the drops or beads have to be light, hence the ear chain is comfortable, but a bit of a performance to insert.

Options for ears that are not pierced For those who desire non-pierced fittings it is important to have the fit secure and comfortable. If the adjustment is done correctly you can even bellydance in any of these fittings!

Ear clips are hinged at the base with a loop at the front and an angled back. They come in a range of forms and sizes. With a loop there are light small clips, clips with a small pressure point at both front and back, clips with a narrow pressure point at the front and a broad spread behind, and clips with large pressure points front and back earrings. The comfort of each of these varies dependent on the make, but the softer metal clips can be carefully eased or tightened with small pliers to get a comfortable fit. The hard metal clips are fine if immediately comfortable, but a pain (in some cases actually) if challenging or impossible to adjust. Try to discuss this with your store, it should be possible to get the clips sorted out. At our website designed for you (http://www.designed-4-you.com) we try to ensure that all clips are comfortable or adjusted for comfort. Without a loop are clips with a pad or claw fit for stones or cabochons to be fitted to. These can come in a range of styles, from plain modern to Victoriana, the former being the common versions to find. The comments above as to fit also apply to these. Ear Screws are an 'u' shaped fixed size into which the ear lobe is eased, then the screw is tightened behind the ear until a comfortable fit is found. Finding the comfortable fit takes practice, but is possible. Ear screws with a hinge are perhaps the best of the ear fittings for unpierced ears. The hinge is opened to fit the earring, closed then screwed to the best fit. The advantage of this fitting is that to take the earrings off the hinge is opened and the comfortable position is maintained for the next time the earrings are worn. These are as simple as clips to put on, and have the advantage of fine adjustment.

Earring fittings - what are they made of? Many countries, certainly all those in the EU are required to follow the EU Nickel directive which bans nickel from coming into intimate body contact including earrings for pierced ears.

So now, generally earwires and pierced fittings are made from silver or gold plated brass.

Some are given an antique finish Some are colored gunmetal or antique copper. For those who have difficulties with brass plated earrings there are other choices:

Sterling Silver (92.5 % Silver), Vermeil - 24 carat gold plated over Sterling Silver, 9 carat Gold - (37.5 % Gold), Rolled Gold - brass and gold pressed and rolled together at high heat, Surgical Steel - considered hypoallergenic, Titanium - for those intolerant to metal fittings, Which can be obtained at reasonable prices (some are only available as Shepherds Cheat fittings).

Less common and at more expense:

18 carat Gold 24 carat Gold Pure Silver can be found, and in some countries gold-filled ear wires are available.

There is typically less choice for non-pierced earring fittings.

Commonly available are:

Gold and silver plated brass fittings Nickel ear fittings (still available for non-pierced ears) Sterling silver ear screws can be found - at a price 9 carat gold ear screws are even more costly Sometimes antique silver plated and gold plated brass can be found. To date we have been unable to find more range for non-pierced ear fittings but we continue to look.

Conclusion

There is then a reasonable choice in ear fittings, and there are some of us around who try to make that choice available.