Would you choose tension back or screw backs for studs?

[innerkitten]

Just wondering. I REALLY want a pair of diamond studs ( don''t know exactly when I''ll get them though ) and was wondering which most people had chosen and why.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I''ve recently read many of the threads on diamond studs and at least 90% or more prefer the regular tension backs. Reasons were quicker to take on and off and the threads on the screwback posts can wear out over time.

 

[Kaleigh]

I don''t like the screw backs as the threads on them can become worn over time. Plus I don''t like the hassle of taking them off and putting them on. JMHO.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think we were posting the same thing at the same time again, Kaleigh!

 

[WTNLVR]

I just went thru this whole dilemma when deciding on my x-mas gift (1.5 ctw studs) I went for regular backs. I take my studs off each night so I can clean them in the am. Having used screwbacks in the past, they are a pain to take on and off every night. I have a pair of screwbacks I use for travel, which are nice as I know I can''t lose them. For everyday wear, they aren''t worth it and some people are bothered by the posts. I also heard they lead to more infections due to the nooks and cranies that can house bacteria (ick!).

 

[Sundial]

A good friend of mine has screwbacks and hates them. She says the posts are fatter and they are hard to get on and off. I have fairly large studs (1.25 carats each) with regular push backs and I have had no problem with them at all.

 

[Gothgrrl]

I like push backs. I had a pair of earrings with screwbacks and one of them actually came loose and fell on the floor. I didn''t even know they came off until my husband said he found this tiny screw. I immediately check and thank goodness my earring was still in my ear! From then on no more screwbacks.

 

[Cehrabehra]

tension - because while it would be awful to lose an earring, I would MUCH rather lose it than my ear! I''ve pulled my earring out before and it hurt but good news, no ear injury!!!

 

[asscherisme]

NEITHER! I have the stuller brand protektor (not a typo, thats how they spell it) back. Its their brand of lapousette.

I love it. Its the comfort of a friction back in your ear but the security of a screw back because the little disk locks onto the post.

Many others here have it as well and I highly recommend it. I had the posts custom ordered because they standard carried only screw back and fricttion back. But when I asked for the stuller version of these they had no problem ordering.

I don''t sleep in earings and like to clean each morning before I wear them and they are super easy to put on and take off once you get use to it. No pain.

I had screwbacks years ago and I won''t bore you with the details but lets just say they tore up my ears so badly I could not wear earrings for a long long time. Then I figured putting on and taking off earings should not involve blood!

 

[lisaC]

I opted for friction backs because screw backs would have been sheer torture (my father pierced my ears at 5 with a suturing needle- think teeny holes). Plus I take them out regularly to clean them as earings sure do attract grease fast

 

[DBM]

Date: 11/18/2006 9:51:58 PM
Author: asscherisme
NEITHER! I have the stuller brand protektor (not a typo, thats how they spell it) back. Its their brand of lapousette.

I love it. Its the comfort of a friction back in your ear but the security of a screw back because the little disk locks onto the post.

Interesting. I just looked it up. Is this it?

Wouldn''t this also eventually wear down over time and come loose. Granted it''s much better than a pushback but more secure than screwbacks even?...

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 11/18/2006 8:38:03 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I think we were posting the same thing at the same time again, Kaleigh!

Great minds, hehe!!! I should just let you speak for me,

 

[Ellen]

I had screw back, got my new ones with heavy friction (from WF), they''re not going anywhere, tight fit. And much less hassle than the screws.

 

[partgypsy]

I''ve had both and recommend the friction backs for all the reasons mentioned above.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I have screw backs on my little studs. I have had them for four years and the treads look like they did when they were new. I think it is a personal choice.

 

[ladykemma]

tension backs. trust me you will be aware that you are walking around with 1000 -2000 bucks in each ear, and you will be careful!

 

[asscherisme]

Yes, thats what the post looks like. but the part that clutches it is like a little disk thingy that snaps into place and can only be released by pressing both sides at the same time.

So when you are wearing it or putting it in, it feels JUST like my friction back earrings. ONly difference is instead of a butterfly type back, its a disk thingy. I don''t know how to copy photos, but I know the stuller website has photos of them.

There is a pair of earrings for sale at signed pieces right now by tiffany and those phtotos show the same type of system I''m talking about.

I suppose it could wear out over time as well, but you would know it when you put the earring on because the back would not snap on. You can feel and hear a nice snap when it goes on.

 

[Cind11]

I''m with asscherisme, I like the la pousette backs too. Very secure, but easy to take on and off. Mine have never made a snapping noise though.

 

[Mara]

i used to have screw backs but when i got my earrings at WF...they'd have to special order the screw backs. i wanted the earrings so i was like hmmm well do i really need screwbacks. in the past they seemed to take a while to get on and off and it drove me nuts. lesley mentioned while i was trying to decide that she couldn't recall people having issues with regular push-on backs, not tension or screw just regular backs. i thought hmm that seems risky for diamonds. but i went for it just to get the earrings shipped, and i have had them for almost 3 years now and i have not had a problem. i check them periodically during the day and never have found them remotely close to falling off. *knock on wood*. whereas with the screws, actually i had one earring unscrew itself partway one day...totally random.

 

[MustangGal]

The couple times I''ve put on screw backs, they hurt. It really irritated my ears putting them in, and it was worse getting them out. And I don''t think I have enough patientce to try to get the screw thing right.

 

[WinkHPD]

If you want to see what the Protecktor backs look like go to www.stuller.com and enter 22260 in the search box.

Personally I do not like the screw backs. The posts are thicker and the detritus that accumulates in them (dead skin cells, bacteria, etc) can cause infections and the "ratcheting" of pushing the threads through your ears can irritate your ears. I do not like the ideas of putting yesterdays dead cells and the bacteria from the decay of those cells back into your ears.

I have many clients who do like the screw backs, but the few that I have ever had that had problems with infections were those with screw backs.

Wink

 

[starryeyed]

Inner Kitten, it''s hard to tell how long your hair is from the avatar picture, but if your hair AT ALL covers your ears, opt for LA POUSETTE backings. For me, this is almost a NO BRAINER. Here is a link that describes the backing:

http://www.betterthandiamond.com/diamonds/jewelry/earrings/stud.tiff.round.php

The backing is spring-loaded whereby you squeeze backing, which is disk-shaped and keeps the earring from flopping forward on your ear (bonus!), in order to remove it or put it on. When it sits on your ear, grooves in the post prevent the backing from coming off. The design is brilliant!

I had a pair of screwbacks and they actually came UNSCREWED!! I LOST a stud at the gym/spa and it was devastating. I think what happened was my hair got caught and helped to UNSCREW the stud. Fortunately, this happened at the Peninsula Spa in Chicago and a member found the diamond and turned it in to the desk. Unfortunately, the front desk at the spa "lost" the diamond, but because they admitted that it was in their possession, their insurance paid to replace my diamond. Kudos to the honesty of the Peninsula!!! But the moral is that even though you think a screwback is secure, it may not be!

Subsequent to the loss, I replaced the diamonds (actually upgraded after adding some $$$), and had the backings switched to the LA POUSETTE backings. I wear the studs everyday and sometimes don''t t take them out for a week straight. Sounds gross, but it happens. I have never had a problem, and it''s been about 4 years.

My new studs are 1+ carat each, G VS2, GIA certified diamonds and losing an old one, even though it was a little smaller, was TOTALLY STRESSFUL. I wound up re-tracing my steps and making a bunch of phone calls - it was very disruptive to my life. I would hate for anyone to go through the stress and aggravation that I went through. If the studs aren''t insured, it could be even worse! Get La Pousette backings!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

for security alone screw backs are a nightmare.

They wear loose and spin when ladies brush their hair.

No way are they as safe as good quality tension backs or butterflys.
Some of the fancy clips are good too - but big good quality butterflys win hands doewn for me