Screw back or tension backed studs?

[K+D=4]

Hello all,

We have decided to upgrade my studs.....whoop whoop!

I currently have .50tcw's and we are looking at right around 1.50tcw set in the 8 prong, or martini style studs from whiteflash.

Does anyone have the 8 prong studs? I've seen a lot of the martini but not the 8 prong. Also, would you recommend the screw back style backers, or the regular tension backers? I want to be able to snug the backs on my ear.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[amc80]

I had tension backs and ended up losing (and later finding) an earring. I returned them for screw backs and haven't had issues since.

 

[Andelain]

Hi there,

I was the first one to get the 8 prong martini's from WF, so I'll be happy to show you the pics. They're .41ct each, F-SI1's

As for your question, the tension backs are the only way to go IMHO. They're secure, I wear them 24/7 here in Iraq and they aren't going anywhere. I love these earrings.

 

[Venice]

When I got my last pair of diamond stud earrings I really wanted to go with the screw backs at the time. I "thought" that I would like to keep them in 24/7. I tested a pair of screw backs and I had such a difficult time screwing them on that I decided to go again with the tension backs. I made the right choice (for me) because I am not the type of person who keeps her earrings in 24/7. I do wear them every single day, though, and they are always freshly cleaned beforehand.

 

[Circe]

I vote for tension backs: I have exactly one pair of screw backs, and it's going to stay that way! They're kind of a pain in the neck to put on and take off, which is a pity, as they're lovely earrings otherwise. If you're worried about losing one, I hear good things about the La Pousset backings ....

 

[yssie]

I too thought screwbacks were safer when I got my first pair of studs.

My issues w/ screwbacks:


I have long hair, and on more than one occasion I found that my hair had become tangled with the backing, and the earring had come unscrewed - for me pushbacks are the safer choice from the perspective of losing the earring

The other issue is cleaning: thanks to the threading that serves as a collection site screwback posts get *filthy*, so cleaning often is that much more important, and the ribbing makes it that much harder and more time consuming to thoroughly clean - and since they take forever to put on and take off, cleaning screwbacks is not the 60second task it is with pushbacks

 

[elle_chris]

Another vote for tension.
I had screwbacks in my teens and remember what a pain it was putting them and taking them off. My ears always winded up irritated from all the work and like yssie, my hair would get caught on the backing and pull the earrings.

Now I have tension settings. So much easier and no irritation.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I had a pair of screw backs and didn't mind taking them on and off, but did find over time the screws striped out and one of the backs would slowly unscrew itself and I'd have to constantly tighten it back up. My current pair are tension and I love them. Wear them nearly 24/7.

 

[clgwli]

I prefer tension myself. I tried screw backs thinking I'd love them and I don't like them at all. I've stuck with tension since. I wear mine 24/7 without much issue and some earrings I have had over a decade and only lost one backing. I did lose two more since while cleaning and had them fly out of my hand in the bathroom. One went down the sink and the other I just never found again. But in general I find them to be wonderful and very secure.

 

[K+D=4]

Andelain, I have always enjoyed your posts, and I am forever grateful for your service. My own brother is in the Nat'l Guard and I have 3 uncles who have been on numerous tours of duty. My hat goes off to you, thank you thank you!

Also, I love love those 8 prong studs. love love love!!!


After reading the issues with screw backs I will probably go tension. I had my own worries about them coming screwed already and all the testimonials have helped me decide to stick with my gut!

I just found the "show me your studs" thread *Duh* lol, I'm off to drool at the beauties!

Thanks for the quick responses!!!

 

[bricklayer]

I have no idea why I should chime in here because I don't even have pierced ears, but I like the idea of the screwbacks. Are they comfortable in the ear? I would probably want something I could leave in and not worry about losing.

 

[Fly Girl]

I have no idea why I should chime in here because I don't even have pierced ears, but I like the idea of the screwbacks. Are they comfortable in the ear? I would probably want something I could leave in and not worry about losing.

It depends on the person, of course, but I find that screwbacks are extremely painful to put into my ear. Nice smooth posts for me, thank you very much.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I have no idea why I should chime in here because I don't even have pierced ears, but I like the idea of the screwbacks. Are they comfortable in the ear? I would probably want something I could leave in and not worry about losing.

They're fine in the ear. . .it's taking them in and out that hurts. Or at least mine hurt for about a month, then my ears became use to them.

 

[KaeKae]

I have no idea why I should chime in here because I don't even have pierced ears, but I like the idea of the screwbacks. Are they comfortable in the ear? I would probably want something I could leave in and not worry about losing.

They're fine in the ear. . .it's taking them in and out that hurts. Or at least mine hurt for about a month, then my ears became use to them.

I agree with MC. I've had my screwbacks for 22 years. Took a little while to get used to putting them on and off, but since then, not problem. I wear them 5-6 days a week, and always take them off at night. Yes it takes a few seconds more than the tension backs, but that doesn't bother me at all. I clean them maybe once a week, and mine never get caught in my long hair.

 

[TotalNewbie]

You've got the right idea -- go with tension backs. I have screw-backs and will get mine changed over. They are a huge pain to take on and off so I ended up sleeping with them on. And because my earring posts are a bit thick (thicker than average, I guess?), they started stretching my earring piercing on one side to the point that I needed to get the ear sewn up and re-pierced after it healed! Definitely tension, for the ease of putting them on and taking them off.

 

[LALove]

I too thought screwbacks were safer when I got my first pair of studs.

My issues w/ screwbacks:


I have long hair, and on more than one occasion I found that my hair had become tangled with the backing, and the earring had come unscrewed - for me pushbacks are the safer choice from the perspective of losing the earring

The other issue is cleaning: thanks to the threading that serves as a collection site screwback posts get *filthy*, so cleaning often is that much more important, and the ribbing makes it that much harder and more time consuming to thoroughly clean - and since they take forever to put on and take off, cleaning screwbacks is not the 60second task it is with pushbacks

I had all the same problems with my screw backs. I not only found the screw backs took forever to take off but also that when I took them off the threading would hurt my piercing and irritate my ears (they didn't just slide in or out easily and smoothly for me). I also sleep with my earrings in and with the screw backs, by the morning they'd be loose - from my hair getting caught and turning them.

I love the tension backs - easy to get on and off, easy to clean, feel comfy in my ears, feel secure.

 

[bricklayer]

That does not sound pleasant. I wouldn't want to have to 'get used to' the feeling of putting them in/pulling them out.
that sounds vulgar!

 

[K+D=4]

Yikes!!!

They are beginning to sound more and more like some evil, but blingtastic torture to a persons ears!!

It literally stretched your earring piercing to the point it needs to be sewn up? No way, no how will I ever consider screw backs now!!

Eeeeesh!

 

[junebug17]

I prefer tension backs...I tried screw backs, and it took me a long time to put them on, and hurt when I took them on and off...to the point that my earlobes got very sore. They just weren't for me.

 

[yssie]

Yikes!!!

They are beginning to sound more and more like some evil, but blingtastic torture to a persons ears!!

It literally stretched your earring piercing to the point it needs to be sewn up? No way, no how will I ever consider screw backs now!!

Eeeeesh!

In fairness the insertion of screwbacks by themselves is not going to tear one's lobe - it's the bling dangling from them that's the problem if someone routinely wears weighty earrings then something has to bear the load..or the holes stretch.

From that perspective it's actually better to wear heavy earrings with slightly thicker posts, as then there's more ear-surface to combat the downward force - very thin posts would lead to far worse stretching far sooner, this is why body piercings are usually of a certain max guage or lower

 

[Phoenix]

Another vote for tension backs. Screw backs are a pain (both literally and metaphorically) to put on and take off.

I think quite a few of us has 8-prong martini's. Bliss comes to mine. I love 'em. Love the ones Adelain has too.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Tension backs all the way. I actually had screwbacks that I reset into tension backs - the screwbacks chewed up my ears - ouch!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Aside from the ouch factor - I did a straw poll in a bar at a conference of jewllwers:

"put up you hand if you have had to match a lost diamond stud within the past few months?"

All hands up.

"Leave your hand up if they were screw backs"

Most hands remained.

They are not as safe as even bad tenson backs. They wear out and spin off from hair brusing or whatever.

Good oversized butterflys are best.

 

[WinkHPD]

Add me to the non fans of screw backs. The posts are thicker to accomodate the threads, the threads can irritate the piercing as they ratchet in rather than slide in, and the threads accumulate detritus such as skin sells, bacteria and dirt. Almost every time I see a client with infected ears it is with screw back style earrings.

If you are worried about the security of tension backs, go with one of the click stop style earring backs such as the protektor or La Pousette. These will give you more security, but without the added risk of infection that you have with the screw backs.

Wink

 

[allowingtoo]

Do you have to have a special post for the La Pousette backs?

 

[blueiris]

Another recommendation for tension backs. I tried screw backs and my ears bled every time I took them out. It also hurt and I was really worried about infection. I had the posts changed to regular posts with tension backs and no more problems.

 

[Andelain]

Andelain, I have always enjoyed your posts, and I am forever grateful for your service. My own brother is in the Nat'l Guard and I have 3 uncles who have been on numerous tours of duty. My hat goes off to you, thank you thank you!

Also, I love love those 8 prong studs. love love love!!!


After reading the issues with screw backs I will probably go tension. I had my own worries about them coming screwed already and all the testimonials have helped me decide to stick with my gut!

I just found the "show me your studs" thread *Duh* lol, I'm off to drool at the beauties!

Thanks for the quick responses!!!

Thank, K+D, and you're very welcome! Give my thanks to your brother and unlces if you would, please.

Glad you like the martinis, they're my favorites by far. Be sure to tell the folks at WF I said hello when you have them do yours. They'll remember my pair and me. Oh, and be sure to post pics when you get them!

 

[yennyfire]

I don't know what my backs are called, but the post has a couple of indentations on it and the back has two little "buttons" that you squeeze to get the back onto the post, then you slide it up til it locks in. I've had them for years and never had any problem. They are easy to get on/off and my long hair doesn't get tangled in them. Let us know what you decide to get.

 

[Lew Lew]

Aside from the ouch factor - I did a straw poll in a bar at a conference of jewllwers:

"put up you hand if you have had to match a lost diamond stud within the past few months?"

All hands up.

"Leave your hand up if they were screw backs"

Most hands remained.

They are not as safe as even bad tenson backs. They wear out and spin off from hair brusing or whatever.

Good oversized butterflys are best.

So butterfly backs are the same thing as tension backs?

 

[kittybean]

I think am one of the few who likes my screwback studs, but they are not particularly large (.5 ctw). I don't really have problems with them getting tangled in my long hair. However, I agree that they don't get cleaned particularly often because of the time it takes to remove them and put them back on. For my next pair of studs, I'll probably go with tension backs since the stones will be larger, and it'll be easier to clean them.