Different Types of Earring Backs and When to Wear Them

Ever wondered why some earring backs don’t keep those heavy earrings in place, or why some don’t even go on the earring to begin with, or even worse, the kind that keeps sliding off? Whether you realize this or not, an earring is always designed to fit with a certain type of earring back. That said, there are earring backs that can suit a variety of earrings, but if you want to keep your ears as well as your earrings in the best shape possible, then it is important for you to know the different types of earring backs and when to wear them. From clear earring backs to ‘how to clean earring backs’ and more, this blog has everything you need to know. Scroll ahead!

What Is Natural Gemstone?

Clip Earrings: Clip earrings are a good option for those who do not have their ears pierced, although they can also be worn by people who do have an ear piercing. These types of earrings come with a clip that is attached to a hinge, which grips the earlobe and keeps the earring in place. Clip earrings are very popular in heavy costume jewelry, as with the clip style, the wearer does not have to worry about his or her earlobes being stretched or pulled.
French Clips: French clips, or also known as the Omega back earrings have a clasp that holds the earrings firmly in place. French clip earrings are an ideal option both for people who have earlobe piercings and those who do not have their ears pierced. Usually, french clip earrings are small and have a stud or gemstone that accentuates one’s overall look.
French Wires: French wires or also known as fish hooks, have hooks placed on the back. These are the most common earring backs, and whether it’s cool women’s hoop earrings or dainty drop earrings, French wires are the easiest to put on. The earrings have a small curved wire that you can use to insert through the piercing. The hooked section of the wire is long so you do not have to worry about losing a pair as the earrings are secured in place with the wire. If you are looking for elegant earrings with a similar back, then do check out these beautiful Pear-Shaped Rhodolite Drop Earrings with Diamond Halo that feature a shepherd hook, similar to that of a french wire.
Big Earring Backs: Usually made of metal or plastic, big-backed earrings are perfect for heavy gemstone earrings, and that includes ornate studs. With big earring backs, the front as well as the backside of the earring looks chic, and if you are stepping out for a formal dinner with a high bun, then big earring backs would be a great option as they will make the backs of your ears look just as glamorous as the front due to their fancy and elaborate design.
Latch Backs: Hinged backs or latch backs are common with hoop or gemstone dangle earrings. The latch keeps large-sized earrings in place. In this type of earring back, the metal latch is hinged to the earring, and these latches can be of different styles, ranging from the simplest to the most elaborate. The common shape of a latch back is that of a loop, and they give gemstone earrings a nice and elegant aesthetic.
Lever Backs: These backs are similar to latch back earrings, except the positioning of the latch is a little different and the crevice is also much bigger, which lends greater support to the earring as well as the ear. The hoop is generally in a U shape in the lever back earrings. These types of earring backs make the wearability of earrings comfortable on a daily basis.
Push-Backs: Push-backs are the most common type of earring backs. They are also known as butterfly backs. Regardless of the size or shape of the earring, push-backs go with every style and type. These backs keep the earrings in one place and provide great comfort. The push-back earring backs come in various different styles and finishes.

Metal backs are common with gold and silver colored earrings. If you choose to have push-backs on your earrings then you can also experiment with the type of metal you want to use. You can opt between 14k or 18k gold, silver, copper or any other metal that suits your skin and preference.
The plastic back or the clear earring backs is also a very common type. These earring backs often come with inexpensive metal earrings. The plastic backs are available in different styles and shapes and the quality of the plastic varies.
Similar to plastic or clear earring backs, another type of clear earring back is the kind made out of rubber. These types of earring backs are much smoother and sturdier than plastic backs. Because of the flexibility of the rubber, these backs can go with earrings of different shapes. However, these backs are common when it comes to earrings that are not as high end.

Screw Posts: Another common earring back is the screw post back. These are similar to pushbacks in terms of their design, but the way you wear them is different. Contrary to push-backs, you have to rotate in a circular fashion to wear the screw post earring back. The earrings have long bars that you can insert from your piercing followed by a tightening of the screw from the backside of the ear. The bars of the earrings are externally threaded providing slight friction to your earring backs, while holding them in place.
Flat Backs: When it comes to comfortable earring backs, Flat backs are the most common type of earring backs for cartilage earrings. These backs are extremely comfortable and let your new piercings heal without causing much resistance. The flat backs are available in different shapes like circle, oval, heart, triangle, so forth and so on; there are tons of options to choose from.

How to Clean Earring Backs

If you wear earrings every single day then this section of the blog is meant for you! Earrings tend to get icky and mucky over a period of time, if not cleaned regularly, hence it is important to follow some basic hygiene to avoid possible ear infections and skin rashes.

Here are some easy cleaning methods for earring backs that you can try at home:

Salt Water: If the piercing is new or if you feel strain or slight pain around the piercing, it is best to clean it with a saltwater solution. It will soothe the nerves around the piercing and you will feel much better. You do not have to take off your earrings while cleaning if it is a new piercing. However, if the piercing is old then you must take off the earrings first before soaking them in the saltwater solution.
Routine Cleaning: If you wear earrings regularly or every day, then it would be best to clean them once every 6 weeks. Use hydrogen peroxide as it is a great disinfectant for jewelry and for washing away any grime. Fill a small cup with hydrogen peroxide, and then immerse the earrings into the cup. Let the earrings sit in the solution for a few minutes before rinsing them with lukewarm water.
Microfiber Cloth: The microfiber cloth you use to clean sunglasses would work just as well for your precious earring backs. Since earring backs tend to be dainty, you need to use a soft cloth, hence a microfiber cloth is the best option as it is super smooth and does not scratch the surface of your metal earring backs. A regular towel is not advised as the earring backs can get stuck to the tiny fibers on a towel and could lead to them breaking or bending.
Ice: If you notice some swelling around the ear piercing, then ice is your best friend as it will instantly soothe any redness or swelling. Also, be sure to take the earrings off before applying any ice. If you cannot take them off because of the swelling, then ensure that your ears are completely dry before gently removing the earrings.
Toothpicks: This may seem like a funny or bizarre point, but toothpicks come handy when trying to pick the gunk out of tiny earring backs that are hard to clean with fingers. Also, if you want to clean elaborately designed earrings, then toothpicks will be able to get dirt out of the toughest areas. Get a toothpick for the hard-to-reach spots and be amazed with how new and dazzling your earrings look after a run of the good old toothpick.

Conclusion

Earring backs lay the foundation for our earrings, and without them we would not be able to wear or flaunt the beautiful hoops, danglers or studs that we adore and cherish. It is however important to know the different types of earring backs so that we can pair them with the right type of earring. Not wearing the right type of earring back can result in us losing a precious earring or getting an inflamed ear lobe, which does not make for a comfortable situation. Choose the right earring back when wearing your favorite pair of earrings and stay comfortable and fashionable all at the same time.

Different Types of Earring Backs and When to Wear Them

How to Clean Earring Backs

Conclusion

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