earring back dilemma - advice please?

[justjulia]

I'd like to know what the most secure earring stud post back is... I have explored this before but never changed from my screw backs. I'm tired of wearing the little plastic disks behind to close the gap and keep them (3ctw) upright. From what I've read during a search, friction backs = la poussette? But, would I be wise to keep the screw backs for security? (My screw backs don't hurt.) I'm a little worried about the screws undoing themselves- and I'm ocd about checking them-which is nerve wracking. Would LP/friction clicking backs stay put?

And I'm about to go with martini settings again, too (to help with the upright-ness). As a matter of fact, they go to the jeweler today for that...and while there, I was going to inquire about new backs... depending on what guidance you all can give me...

Thanks in advance...jj

 

[surfgirl]

I never wear screw backs because they make your ear holes bigger and I cant fit them in my ear as it is. So I used to always have La Pousette backs but to be honest, the spring function in them does wear out regularly so when I got my new studs I just went with plain posts with two security bands on them, and over sized butterfly backs. I''d do the same with larger earrings if I had them. I think they''re the easiest to use and as long as you check your backs regularly, and just pinch them tighter if they loosen up, you''re good. I dont think that La Pousette''s will be good for earrings as large as yours because you need a counter balance weight to hold your earrings upright so I''m thinking over sized butterfly backs are your only real option.

 

[justjulia]

Date: 5/29/2008 2:37:08 PM
Author: surfgirl
I never wear screw backs because they make your ear holes bigger and I cant fit them in my ear as it is. So I used to always have La Pousette backs but to be honest, the spring function in them does wear out regularly so when I got my new studs I just went with plain posts with two security bands on them, and over sized butterfly backs. I''d do the same with larger earrings if I had them. I think they''re the easiest to use and as long as you check your backs regularly, and just pinch them tighter if they loosen up, you''re good. I dont think that La Pousette''s will be good for earrings as large as yours because you need a counter balance weight to hold your earrings upright so I''m thinking over sized butterfly backs are your only real option.

Thank you so much, Surfgirl. My ear holes are older (I''m closer to 50 than 40)and easily accomodate the screwbacks

. Can I ask what security bands are? I feel so ignorant! With butterfly backs, do they pinch and click in on an engraved groove?

 

[surfgirl]

Date: 5/29/2008 2:48:15 PM
Author: justjulia

Date: 5/29/2008 2:37:08 PM

Author: surfgirl

I never wear screw backs because they make your ear holes bigger and I cant fit them in my ear as it is. So I used to always have La Pousette backs but to be honest, the spring function in them does wear out regularly so when I got my new studs I just went with plain posts with two security bands on them, and over sized butterfly backs. I''d do the same with larger earrings if I had them. I think they''re the easiest to use and as long as you check your backs regularly, and just pinch them tighter if they loosen up, you''re good. I dont think that La Pousette''s will be good for earrings as large as yours because you need a counter balance weight to hold your earrings upright so I''m thinking over sized butterfly backs are your only real option.

Thank you so much, Surfgirl. My ear holes are older (I''m closer to 50 than 40)and easily accomodate the screwbacks

. Can I ask what security bands are? I feel so ignorant! With butterfly backs, do they pinch and click in on an engraved groove?

Actually, when I said security bands what I meant was those grooves. So if the butterfly back slips over one, there''s one more to hold it on. You dont actually pinch them each time you put them on, but one a week or so, I push the backs onto the posts and see how easily I can pull them off over the grooves. If they come off a bit easily, I take the backs off and pinch the two ends together a little bit so they go on tighter. The larger the diamond stud, the larger your butterfly back should be to counter balance the weight of the diamond. My studs are by Kwiat and they make them quite large and they always make them on posts with a double groover and butterfly backs. I dont think they''d set them like that if they weren''t secure with those backings, you know...

 

[justjulia]

Date: 5/29/2008 3:35:09 PM
Author: surfgirl

Date: 5/29/2008 2:48:15 PM

Author: justjulia

Date: 5/29/2008 2:37:08 PM


Author: surfgirl


I never wear screw backs because they make your ear holes bigger and I cant fit them in my ear as it is. So I used to always have La Pousette backs but to be honest, the spring function in them does wear out regularly so when I got my new studs I just went with plain posts with two security bands on them, and over sized butterfly backs. I''d do the same with larger earrings if I had them. I think they''re the easiest to use and as long as you check your backs regularly, and just pinch them tighter if they loosen up, you''re good. I dont think that La Pousette''s will be good for earrings as large as yours because you need a counter balance weight to hold your earrings upright so I''m thinking over sized butterfly backs are your only real option.

Thank you so much, Surfgirl. My ear holes are older (I''m closer to 50 than 40)and easily accomodate the screwbacks

. Can I ask what security bands are? I feel so ignorant! With butterfly backs, do they pinch and click in on an engraved groove?

Actually, when I said security bands what I meant was those grooves. So if the butterfly back slips over one, there''s one more to hold it on. You dont actually pinch them each time you put them on, but one a week or so, I push the backs onto the posts and see how easily I can pull them off over the grooves. If they come off a bit easily, I take the backs off and pinch the two ends together a little bit so they go on tighter. The larger the diamond stud, the larger your butterfly back should be to counter balance the weight of the diamond. My studs are by Kwiat and they make them quite large and they always make them on posts with a double groover and butterfly backs. I dont think they''d set them like that if they weren''t secure with those backings, you know...

True... Okay, now I feel better equipped with the right lingo to walk in with. Larger butterfly backs it is. Another question--do the posts with butterfly backs sit any closer to the earlobe than screwbacks? Thanks!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Sorry I disagree. My old studs are screw back and I have the smallest holes. I don''t think they made them bigger. I did fine them painful for the first week or so but then they were fine. I did however opt not to get screw backs on my new pair b/c I wanted to be able to take them on and off easier. I am more nervous about the martini settings making my holes bigger than anything else.

 

[justjulia]

Date: 5/29/2008 4:45:31 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
Sorry I disagree. My old studs are screw back and I have the smallest holes. I don''t think they made them bigger. I did fine them painful for the first week or so but then they were fine. I did however opt not to get screw backs on my new pair b/c I wanted to be able to take them on and off easier. I am more nervous about the martini settings making my holes bigger than anything else.

My ear holes seemed to be fine with the screw backs I have from the beginning-they are not really that thick. I agree the holes becoming bigger is a concern, so we''ll see. I just really want these to sit more flush like on my ears. I also would like for them to go on and off easier--I hate it when my hair gets all entwined...

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Jamie at WF said none of her clients have lost an earring (in the ear) when I was debating what kind of backs to get. Not sure if that info helps

It made me feel better.

 

[justjulia]

Date: 5/29/2008 7:15:08 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
Jamie at WF said none of her clients have lost an earring (in the ear) when I was debating what kind of backs to get. Not sure if that info helps

It made me feel better.

Thanks for this. You know what? I chickened out. Actually, the only kind of martini they had was the pointed kind- not the bowl kind (if you can visualize my meaning). So, back home they came (actually dh did the deed on his way home from work). So the screw backs are staying. And...I opened your reply which has put me at great ease.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I have the pointed kind but mine are MUCH smaller than your beauties. Honestly Julia if I were you and had such large stones I would custom make settings. I bet Leon could make some stunning settings

 

[justjulia]

Date: 5/29/2008 8:24:46 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
I have the pointed kind but mine are MUCH smaller than your beauties. Honestly Julia if I were you and had such large stones I would custom make settings. I bet Leon could make some stunning settings

I think I saw a pic of yours and I''m thinking I remember they are a little less triangular than the ones my jeweler had--yours are better quality, too. Oh, yes, I would love to have something by Leon. I have to see two children through college first. ...Sigh ...Someday!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I am also your "age" JJ, and have no problem with screwbacks. Worn them for decades. Same with LP backs and plain butterflies. The LP backs are very secure IMHO--are a little fussy to place don''t seem to move once set.

cheers--Sharon

 

[Kaleigh]

I love my monster backs, they are over sized butterfly backs, my studs are the same size as yours. I just never got into the screw backs, too hard to take on and off... I can''t sleep with earrings on, so that''s part of it.

 

[justjulia]

Date: 5/29/2008 9:15:25 PM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:


I am also your ''age'' JJ, and have no problem with screwbacks. Worn them for decades. Same with LP backs and plain butterflies. The LP backs are very secure IMHO--are a little fussy to place don''t seem to move once set.


cheers--Sharon

Good-then I''m feeling better and better about these. They''ll be fine. I just figured I had a month or so to do anything about them and wanted to act on it while I had time (return policy). Thanks.

 

[justjulia]

Date: 5/29/2008 9:22:03 PM
Author: Kaleigh
I love my monster backs, they are over sized butterfly backs, my studs are the same size as yours. I just never got into the screw backs, too hard to take on and off... I can''t sleep with earrings on, so that''s part of it.

Yeah, that came to mind...I have been sleeping in mine but then when I go to clean them....zing...the hair gets in the way and I am afraid while unscrewing I''ll drop one somewhere. Oh well, they''ll do, for now. I guess I just didn''t want to pay what the butterflies were going to cost to switch to. I''m going to have to think on it some more. (Ironically, they offered to switch to the martinis at no charge, but not the backs.) Anyway, I''m glad to have them on again. Funny how you admire something differently after putting them out of sight for a while.