Securing Your Style: A Guide to Earring Closures
Earring closures play a critical role in keeping your favorite pairs securely in place. Understanding the different types of closures helps you choose the best option for comfort and reliability. Let’s explore the main earring closure styles so your jewels stay put perfectly.
Clip-On Earring Closures
Clip-on closures attach an earring directly to the earlobe with a hinged, spring-loaded clip.
Benefits
- Don’t require pierced ears
- Stay on securely
- Easy to put on and remove
Drawbacks
- Can pinch earlobes
- Not as comfortable for long wear
- Only suitable for small, lightweight earrings
These nostalgic closures work best for occasional earring wearers or unpierced ears.
Post and Friction Back Closures
This common closure has a post that fits through a pierced hole. A friction back secures the post against the back of the earlobe.
Benefits
- Secure and comfortable for daily wear
- Suitable for most earring types and weights
- Easy to put on and take off
Drawbacks
- Backs can loosen over time
- Possible to lose friction backs
Friction backs accommodate most earring needs making them a versatile option.
Threaded or Screw-On Backs
Threaded closures screw onto the post similar to a nut and bolt. These provide a tight, secure hold.
Benefits
Latches are a more complex style of earring back. A wire is threaded through the ear, and to hold it in place, it fits into a latch that opens and closes. Typically used for huggies or hoop-style earrings.
Drawbacks
- More difficult to put on
- Possible to overtighten
Threaded backs work well for heavy dangling or chandelier styles prone to slipping.
Lever Back Closures
A hinged lever lifts up to allow the post to slide through the piercing. Pushing the lever back down holds the earring in place.
Benefits
- Easy to put on and remove
- Secures earrings comfortably
- Sleek modern style
Drawbacks
- Not as secure for heavy earrings
- Lever can catch on hair and fabrics
Lever back closures offer convenient on and off while staying in place. Low profile hugs the ear.
Fishhook Earring Closures
A simple bent wire hooks through the piercing like a fishhook. These offer an open, wire look.
Benefits
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Give a casual, wire look
- Easy to insert and remove
Drawbacks
- Tend to fall out more easily
- Not secure for hanging earrings
- Can tug on piercings
Fishhook wires suit small, lightweight earrings for daily wear.
Consult Your Jeweler
Discuss your needs and lifestyle to select the best earring closures. With the right closure, you can wear your earrings in comfort and style.
FAQs about Types of Earring Closures
Leverback. Leverback earrings hook through a piercing and fasten by pushing the lever at the base of the earring closed.
Friction back. The friction back is also called the push back or post back.
Screw back.
La pousette back.
Latch back.
Omega back.
Fish hook back.
Closings for pierced ears. In this category, the following closings are push-back, kidney, fishhook, and endless closing. It only consists of earring closing types that physically have to go through the earlobe.
Also called “butterfly backs,” and sometimes “push backs.” These are undoubtedly the most common style of earring back. They work on earrings with posts, using friction to secure the earring in place–hence the name.
Stud Earrings.
Drop Earrings.
Cluster Earrings.
Dangle Earrings.
Hoop Earrings.
Huggie Earrings.
Chandelier Earrings.
Threader Earrings.