The earring backs meaning that we are most familiar with are the butterfly backs, but did you know that there are other earring backs that you can choose from?
It is important that you are able to select the best type of back for your ear. The earring back has to be comfortable and convenient to use, and should fit the type of earring that you have. Earring backs urban dictionary definition of a clasp is associated with “hoops,” so earrings are definitely in vogue right now.
The best type of clasp for your earrings will depend on what type of earrings you bought, the size of the earrings, and whether or not the earring poles have threading.
Your earlobes would also be a factor here, as those with thicker earlobes would have a harder time with smaller clasps, and may require a different variant to ensure that their earrings will stay in place throughout the day.
Knowing the different earring backs available in the market would also be useful in case you lose the ones that come with your old earrings, which usually happens within a year of purchasing earrings (we know, it’s unavoidable sometimes!)
Table of Contents
Types of Earring Backs
Butterfly or Friction Backs
Butterfly backs or friction backs are the most common in the world of earrings. Also called “push backs” because they are literally pushed into the pole of an earring, friction back is comprised of a flat plane with two curls that grab and secure the earring pole as it descends.
The scrolls or curls are important and actually determine how well friction back works. They are there to provide spring tension to the equation, which means the earrings will be tight and secure but can still be removed with ease after a long day.
Take note that friction backs do not come in a single size. If you have thick earlobes and heavy earrings, do not use the ones that come with studs as these will not be able to hold the weight of the earrings, or resist the force of your earlobes. Shop around for larger butterfly backs that have more mass and with heftier scrolls so there is sufficient spring tension to keep your earrings in place.The main advantage of using friction backs is they are very easy to maintain and use. You can just pop them in and out whenever you want to.However, as you continue using friction backs, the scrolls are going to wear out and open slightly, and this will usually be the cause of loose earrings. The bigger variants that are made with more expensive metals are going to be pricier, but they may be better choices as they will last longer.Some people adjust the scrolls so that the tension from when they were brand new is somewhat restored, but take note that metals do suffer from wear and tear, and eventually, these backs would have to be replaced if they are worn down sufficiently.
Screw Backs
As the name implies, screw backs make use of a “nut and bolt” system that has a small threading system that allows the nut to be locked onto the earring pole.
The nut is spun onto the earring post for a permanent lock for the day. This type of earring back is actually the best, but it will be harder to put onto your ear, and there will be times when it will be inconvenient especially if you have heavier stones set on your earrings.
On the upside, we love the security that screw backs provided especially for higher-priced earrings that you definitely would not want to lose. Just keep in mind that you need to be careful when screwing the nut onto the pole because if you do it badly, the angle is going to catch the thread and damage it. Damaged threading means the back is going to be either stuck or it won’t be able to latch itself onto the threading later on.
Stripped threads are definitely a headache to deal with as you would be damaging a huge part of the actual earring and not just the screw back.
La Pousette Backs
La Pousette Backs are admirable mechanical contraptions because your earrings will be firmly secured minus the usual pushing or threading required in the previous two backs.
With a La Pousette back, you simply pinch the two tabs on either side of the round clasp to open the entry point for the pole. The pole enters, and a small locking mechanism inside secures a length of the pole when the two tabs are released by the user.
To remove, you simply have to press the two tabs again and pull the La Pousette back away. Voila – the pole is free and you are done in a second. Obviously, this type of mechanism-led earring back is going to be more sensitive to wear and tear or repeated use, so you need to be careful when using it as well.
Jumbo friction backs
As the name implies, jumbo friction backs are just push backs that have extra size and heft. This is recommended for people who wear larger and heftier studs, so they will not sag or droop while you are wearing them.
The heavier the earring, the bigger and more stable the earring back should be. If you wear large studs with heavy stones, this may be a good option as it has a longer plane that will stabilize the weight on the other side. They are a bit costlier, but the advantages far outweigh the cost factor.
Added support: ear discs
In the event that the earring is still too heavy and the wearer doesn’t feel comfortable because of any amount of sagging, thin, plastic ear discs can be sandwiched between the earring back and the skin to add more tension to the pole, which will stabilize it.
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