Are posts for la pousette backs generally thicker?

[LawmaLlama]

I've been wearing my new studs for over a week. They are Stuller 4 prong martinis in 18k white gold, with la pousette backs. I've noticed that it is more difficult to put the posts in my lobes than my mutt studs, and my lobe holes are somewhat sore after wear. The posts are thicker than my mutt studs with friction backs, and have 2 notches for the locking mechanism. Is the thicker post normal for these backs? Guessing the la pousette backs need more to latch onto? Has anyone else had sore lobes from this? Below is a comparison. Help?!

 

[elle_chris]

When I was deciding between friction vs screwbacks, someone mentioned la pousette and another poster said her posts was thicker and like yours, uncomfortable.
I don't know if it's normal, but it appears to be common.

 

[LawmaLlama]

When I was deciding between friction vs screwbacks, someone mentioned la pousette and another poster said her posts was thicker and like yours, uncomfortable.
I don't know if it's normal, but it appears to be common.

I guess I didnt research enough. I had no idea. I hoped to wear these everyday, but with the thicker posts, that isn't possible. I may have to reset. I really love BGD's truth settings, which are friction back, but I'm oing to have to make a trip to see them in person. I dont want to spend more on the settings only to have thick posts again. Arg!!!

 

[elle_chris]

I guess I didnt research enough. I had no idea. I hoped to wear these everyday, but with the thicker posts, that isn't possible. I may have to reset. I really love BGD's truth settings, which are friction back, but I'm oing to have to make a trip to see them in person. I dont want to spend more on the settings only to have thick posts again. Arg!!!

Mine are the 3 prong platinum martini setting (from Whiteflash) and I chose a friction back. They made them with "heavy friction backs." To this day I don't know the difference between heavy, and regular or if there even is one.
But I have extremely sensitive ears, can only wear platinum or a high carat yellow gold in my piercings, and I can't wear anything that's not easy to take on and off.
These are extremely comfortable. Have been wearing them for about 9 years now and they're still tight on the posts. No issues at all.

Just checked out the Truth setting, very pretty!

 

[Rockdiamond]

I've been wearing my new studs for over a week. They are Stuller 4 prong martinis in 18k white gold, with la pousette backs. I've noticed that it is more difficult to put the posts in my lobes than my mutt studs, and my lobe holes are somewhat sore after wear. The posts are thicker than my mutt studs with friction backs, and have 2 notches for the locking mechanism. Is the thicker post normal for these backs? Guessing the la pousette backs need more to latch onto? Has anyone else had sore lobes from this? Below is a comparison. Help?!

Hi LawmaLlama, We have had clients comment that the La Poussette posts are indeed thicker- some have complained about this aspect. So you're not alone

They made them with "heavy friction backs." To this day I don't know the difference between heavy, and regular or if there even is one.

I can't speak for any other company, but when we are talking about heavy duty backs, we are referring to the "nut" the part of the earring that you slide onto the post once it's in your ear. There are definitely big differences between a lightweight nut, and a heavy duty nut.
BTW- people have called me a "heavy duty nut" and I have no idea why

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I have the same "issue" with my Tiffany studs (my left ear is always tender)

cheers--Sharon

 

[LawmaLlama]

Hi LawmaLlama, We have had clients comment that the La Poussette posts are indeed thicker- some have complained about this aspect. So you're not alone

I can't speak for any other company, but when we are talking about heavy duty backs, we are referring to the "nut" the part of the earring that you slide onto the post once it's in your ear. There are definitely big differences between a lightweight nut, and a heavy duty nut.
BTW- people have called me a "heavy duty nut" and I have no idea why

ha, you crack me up. Thanks rockdiamond. It's helpful to know the thick posts are not an anomoly.

I like the safety of the la pousette, and that they help with droop. I will likely explore resetting with jumbo friction backs in the near future. Thanks!

 

[LawmaLlama]

HI:

I have the same "issue" with my Tiffany studs (my left ear is always tender)

cheers--Sharon

Hi Sharon, do you think your lobe hole is getting enlarged as a result? That is one of my concerns.

 

[WinkHPD]

I can say that the La Poussette back is a larger diameter than a normal back, not by a lot, but it is definitely thicker. I can probably check it tomorrow unless someone else posts it first. Most of my clients actually liked it better, but as I am seeing here, there is enough difference to bother some.

Wink

 

[jaaron]

I had that experience with the CER pair I ordered from Victor - he asked me about the posts and I said to go with the standard size and I literally could barely get them through my ears. I ended up having a local jeweller redo the settings to regular friction backs, but they're smallish earrings (around 1.3 total), so droop isn't an issue.

 

[LawmaLlama]

I can say that the La Poussette back is a larger diameter than a normal back, not by a lot, but it is definitely thicker. I can probably check it tomorrow unless someone else posts it first. Most of my clients actually liked it better, but as I am seeing here, there is enough difference to bother some.

Wink

Hi Wink
The post diameter is bothering my lobes, not the la pousette back itself.

 

[WillyDiamond]

I bought LaPousette back for my daughter a number of years ago, no complaint and she is a small person, so I would assume if they were bothering her she would have told me. She wears them many days during the week. Bought from BGD.

Edit: OP, another thought......you had studs with a different post, I am wondering if it has been some time, days or weeks from the time you removed your old studs to the new ones. If for example it has been a few weeks, then maybe the "hole" has closed up a bit and you are dealing with that discomfort (breaking through new skin) rather than the backs? Also, is it possible that the metal (gold vs. plat) is a different material on the new studs which may cause some irritation due to your bodies rejection of the metal type?

 

[Rockdiamond]

Excellent to hear some are having good experiences with them....unfortunately we did not.
One other aspect we have had issues with- the La Poussette backs can malfunction. There's a spring mechanism inside that sometimes fails. They can't be repaired.
A regular friction nut can easily be pushed back into shape if it loosens up.
I loved the idea when I first saw them years ago, but since the issues, we generally discourage use of them.

 

[canuk-gal]

Hi Sharon, do you think your lobe hole is getting enlarged as a result? That is one of my concerns.

I don't think so since they are tender every time I wear them! Luckily the discomfort doesn't last long.

 

[LawmaLlama]

I had that experience with the CER pair I ordered from Victor - he asked me about the posts and I said to go with the standard size and I literally could barely get them through my ears. I ended up having a local jeweller redo the settings to regular friction backs, but they're smallish earrings (around 1.3 total), so droop isn't an issue.

Thanks jaaron. Mine are 1.0 ctw and I am having trouble getting them through the hole. This is odd to me since Ive worn earrings of all kinds for the 35 (cough, cough) years since my ears were pierced. These studs also project out more than my old ones and droop slightly unless I push the la pousette back tight to my lobe. I can get them in the hole with effort, but then they are sore.
I'm used to a thinner post, so I think I'm going to have to see other settings in person and try them out for a reset.

 

[junebug17]

LL, I recently got studs from Blue Nile and I’ve been experiencing the same thing - the post is thicker than my previous studs, it’s hard to get the earring in, and my lobes feel sore and irritated. And initially I could feel the earring in my ear but that is definitely wearing off. The good news is the the discomfort seems to be lessening the more I wear them, so I’m hoping it’s just a matter of getting used to them. But yeah, I was kind of disappointed when I first put them in. I think the larger post probably is making my piercing a little bigger. I guess I could reset them, but the thought is overwhelming so I’m going to try to make these work.

I really don’t like the backs that came with the earrings so I’ve just been using regular jumbo backs. they seem to work fine and the earrings are secure.

 

[LawmaLlama]

I bought LaPousette back for my daughter a number of years ago, no complaint and she is a small person, so I would assume if they were bothering her she would have told me. She wears them many days during the week. Bought from BGD.

Edit: OP, another thought......you had studs with a different post, I am wondering if it has been some time, days or weeks from the time you removed your old studs to the new ones. If for example it has been a few weeks, then maybe the "hole" has closed up a bit and you are dealing with that discomfort (breaking through new skin) rather than the backs? Also, is it possible that the metal (gold vs. plat) is a different material on the new studs which may cause some irritation due to your bodies rejection of the metal type?

Nope, same metal, white gold. I did go from 14k to 18k. I didn't o without earrings before I got the new studs, so nope the hole didnt close. I do rotate my earring choices regularly, so I do wear other kinds. The thickness of these posts is quite noticeable in comparison to many other earrings I have. It is rather odd. Im going to have explore other settings.

 

[LawmaLlama]

LL, I recently got studs from Blue Nile and I’ve been experiencing the same thing - the post is thicker than my previous studs, it’s hard to get the earring in, and my lobes feel sore and irritated. And initially I could feel the earring in my ear but that is definitely wearing off. The good news is the the discomfort seems to be lessening the more I wear them, so I’m hoping it’s just a matter of getting used to them. But yeah, I was kind of disappointed when I first put them in. I think the larger post probably is making my piercing a little bigger. I guess I could reset them, but the thought is overwhelming so I’m going to try to make these work.

I really don’t like the backs that came with the earrings so I’ve just been using regular jumbo backs. they seem to work fine and the earrings are secure.

I feel the same, like I should try to make it work. I will probably not wear them everyday because of the soreness. It is overwheming to have to reset, but I hate to have something so nice that I dont use. I would rather spend the time and a little more money to make it right and useful.

 

[jenniann]

I think there are 2 different thickness of posts depending on the size of the backs. My 0.9ctw BGD studs had quite small la pousette backs and the posts were the same thickness as all of my other earrings. Never had any issues with discomfort.

When I upgraded to 1.6ctw I was worried about drooping so asked BE to make the settings with larger backs (7mm I think) and the posts are definitely thicker. Google-ing for them it looks like the post for the 7mm backs is 1.05mm and the 6mm backs is 0.89mm (I don;t have the BGD earrings anymore so can't measure the old back - but 6mm sounds about right).

I wear mine pretty much every day but found that even overnight my holes were shrinking back so it was uncomfortable to squeeze the post through in the morning. One ear definitely got irritated so swelled a little which made it even worse. I ended up buying a pair of 1mm body jewelery hoops and put those in overnight to stop the hole shrinking back. A bit of a pain but I concluded it was better than the discomfort or the cost and hassle of resetting. Haven't had any issues since but if I go a few days without wearing either the holes definitely start to shrink back again.

As it happens the weight of the larger backs (plus maybe because they are plat, the BGD ones were 18k) sometimes cause reverse droop (if that's a thing!) where the earring tilts upwards rather than drooping down - so if i was doing it again I would certianly ask for the smaller backs.

 

[WillyDiamond]

OP
I looked at your pictures again in your first post, and those posts do look really thick. I just don’t remember my daughters earrings to have a thick post like that, so if that is the case then the thickness of the post is vendor dependent.
Before you change the back and post you might want to check on the thickness, you don’t want the same thickness regardless of the back.
Good luck.

 

[junebug17]

I feel the same, like I should try to make it work. I will probably not wear them everyday because of the soreness. It is overwheming to have to reset, but I hate to have something so nice that I dont use. I would rather spend the time and a little more money to make it right and useful.

I hear you. If the posts are keeping you from wearing your earrings then resetting makes sense. I guess I’m just trying to avoid the hassle if I can lol. I don’t even know where I’d go, I don’t think BN could do anything for me so I guess I’d have to go to a local jeweler.

 

[Lookinagain]

I have some la pousette backs. I can use them with any of my studs, none of which have thick posts and which have stones from as small as .50 ctw to 1.9 ctw. So perhaps as jenniann says, there are different size backs for the different size posts. I don't think that the backs require the thicker posts, it's just that your settings have thicker backs and came with whatever size backs were necessary to fit them.

 

[WinkHPD]

In one of my mountings catalogs I am seeing friction back posts from 0.026 inches to 0.036 inches in diameter. The Protektor posts which many regard as synonymous with the La Pousette have posts that are 0.034 inches in diameter. The Guardian II, which are another similar style have a post that is 0.042 inches in diameter.

It is very easy for me to imagine that someone used to a 0.26 to 0.30 inch post would be uncomfortable with the larger size backs.

Wink

 

[LawmaLlama]

Thanks for looking at that catalog Wink!