Types of fasteners on earrings and their features
When choosing earrings, you should pay attention not only to the model and appearance of the jewelry, but also to the clasp.
The clasp is one of the most important elements in jewelry.
After all, how well the clasp is made depends on how long you will wear the earrings and not lose them.
Will they cause you discomfort during use.
General product design
Earrings, like other jewelry, have their own design. The more secure the clasp of the earring, the more complex the mechanism that opens and closes it.
Components of the overall design:
- Shvenza is a fixed or moving part of an earring. In other words, this is a loop or bow that we insert into the ear.
For example, in the English lock, the fastener is made of a thin metal strip covering the earlobe from behind. It folds down at the bottom before fastening the earring.
- A pin is a straight fragment of a carnation or stud that is inserted into the puncture site.
For example, in an English lock, a pin or a hook is a fragment of an earring that must be put into the eyelet and snapped into place with a fastener.
- The base is a plane in a piece of jewelry that is decorated with precious or semi-precious stones, pearls or other elements.
- Inserts are elements that are used to decorate a piece of jewelry, such as stones, Swarovski crystals, pearls, and more.
- A cast is a fragment of an earring in which inserts, for example, pearls, are fixed.
- A pendant is a randomly descending decorative piece on the base of an earring.
When choosing earrings, you should pay special attention to the clasp, since the reliable fixation of the jewelry in your ears largely depends on its design.
Kinds
You can find different types of clasps depending on the model of earrings.
The most common types of clasps in earrings:
- English castle;
- french castle;
- Italian castle;
- American castle;
- loop closure;
- stud or stud;
- ring clasp.
English
The most common clasp model is the English lock. Due to its reliability and aesthetic appearance, jewelers prefer to use the English clasp for precious metal items that are adorned with large gems, as well as for earrings with pendants.
The pin is located at the puncture site in the earlobe and is in contact with the hole in the earring using a small mechanism in the form of a spring. Each time you fasten or unfasten your earring, you will hear a slight click. This is a sign that the lock is working correctly and you have fastened the earrings correctly.
Advantages:
- High reliability - earrings with such a lock are difficult to lose, for example, if you accidentally hook an earring.
- Comfortable and convenient design of the lock - the clasp does not come into contact with the area around the eyelet.
- Elegant castle - often jewelers make an English castle an element of decoration.
Flaws:
- Most of the time, the pin is quite thick, and if you have a small hole in your earlobe, it can injure your ear or cause discomfort when you put on earrings.
- You cannot change the length of the pin - if you have a thin earlobe, then the jewelry may hang down. And vice versa, if you have a thick earlobe, then the earrings will fit snugly against the ear, bringing discomfort.
When trying on English lock earrings, look at the distance between the lock and your eye - it should be large enough for you to be comfortable and comfortable in the earrings.
How to remove earrings with an English lock?
Hold the earring with your left hand. Place the index finger of your right hand on the top of the fastener. The thumb must rest against the protruding part of the pin and move it to the index finger. You will hear a click, indicating that the lock is open.
french
French clasps are most often found on jewelry for children. They are also popular for casual or business style earrings.
The French clasp consists of a large loop that resembles the shape of an earlobe and a small loop at the bottom of the earring. A large loop is passed through the hole in the earlobe and fastened with a small loop.
Advantages:
- These clasps add elegance and sophistication to jewelry.
- You won't feel uncomfortable when you wear French clasp earrings.
- The clasp is very light and you won't feel the weight of the earrings.
Flaws:
- The mechanism is quite fragile - it can be broken if you press the loop very hard. Therefore, you should not wear them if you are planning an active holiday. At night, it is also better to remove such earrings.
- If the French lock is used on heavy earrings, they will move back and look ugly. Therefore, small precious stones are used in earrings with such a clasp.
Italian
Most often, the Italian clasp is used for classic, festive and daily models of jewelry.
In its design, the Italian clasp resembles a clip. The pin of the earring is inserted into the hole in the earlobe and fixed with a large loop that wraps around the earlobe.
Advantages:
- This clasp model is convenient and comfortable to use due to the ability to change the compression force of the earlobe.
- The clasp is almost invisible.
- Suitable for ears with different earlobe thicknesses.
Flaws:
- Fragile mechanism, so at night it is recommended to remove the jewelry with an Italian clasp.
- A very expensive mechanism, as it requires high skill from the jeweler. Therefore, it is used on expensive jewelry.
Loop fastener
The loop fastener is used for earrings with pendants, shaped like geometric shapes.
In appearance, the loop fastener resembles a French fastener. The only difference is that the buttonhole does not have a small loop.
Advantages:
- These earrings are easy to put on and take off. It is enough to insert the fastener into the puncture site in the earlobe.
- Elegant appearance.
- Very light lock - thanks to which the weight of the jewelry is reduced.
Flaws:
- Such a lock is very unreliable - you can easily lose an earring.To avoid this, you can buy a silicone plug on the earring.
- Shwenza can be easily broken as it is fragile and thin.
- When purchasing earrings with such a clasp, make sure that the end of the earring is not very sharp. Since it can injure the neck and catch on clothes.
On stud earrings
Stud clasps are used on earrings for daily use and festive occasion. Also, this type of fasteners can be found on medical stud earrings, which are used to pierce the ears. Stud earrings are one of the most popular models, as they are suitable for all women, regardless of age and chosen style of clothing.
There are two types of clasps:
- Pin lock. To put on an earring with such a lock, it is necessary to insert the pin into the hole in the earlobe and secure it with a clip. Accordingly, in order to remove such an earring, it is necessary to hold the earring by the pebble with one hand, and pull the clip with the other hand.
- Screw lock. The pin in the stud earring with a screw lock must be inserted into the hole in the earlobe and tighten the clip. In order to remove such an earring, you need to hold the stud earring by the pebble with your right hand, and gently unscrew the clip with your right hand.
Advantages:
- Convenience - the clasp can be adjusted depending on the thickness of the earlobe.
- Usually stud earrings are inexpensive.
Flaws:
- Uncomfortable to fasten. The details of the earring are quite tiny, especially the clasp. For example, in order to put on a stud earring with a screw lock, you need to hold it evenly with one hand, and carefully screw the clip with the other.
- Stud earrings should be removed when you go to bed. Since the sharp end of the pin can press and cause you discomfort in your sleep.
- Over time, the clip in the pin lock of the stud can loosen, causing you to lose the earring. If you only lost the clip, you can replace it with a silicone retainer.
Ring clasp
The ring clasp is used for classic hoop earrings, which are also called congo earrings.
The model of the fastener is very simple - the fastener is inserted into the opposite end of the earring, thereby forming a ring.
Advantages:
- The clasp is not visible because the lock is hidden in the earring.
- This fastener design firmly connects the two parts of the ring.
The disadvantage of this clasp is Hoop earrings must be removed during sleep so as not to break the earring and harm yourself.
What is the most reliable?
The reliability of the lock on earrings also depends on some parameters. When purchasing earrings with various clasps, pay attention to some points:
- The pin of the earring should not be very thin, the minimum thickness is 1 mm.
- There should be a fairly large distance between the base of the earring and the earring. Otherwise, the lock will put pressure on the earlobe.
- The tip of the earring should be well polished so as not to injure or scratch your ear.
Interesting decorations
If you are tired of the usual earrings, and you want to diversify your look with interesting jewelry, then take a closer look at the unusual models of earrings.
They can be made in an unusual style or have an unusual clasp.
Here are some unusual jewelry that have been gaining popularity lately:
- Cuff Earrings - Earrings of this model are completely put on the ear. They can be made in the form of animals, cobwebs or dragons.
- Broaching earrings - these earrings do not have a clasp.They are made in the form of a thin chain, which is simply threaded into a hole in the earlobe. The broaches hang freely, so they are very comfortable to wear.
- Tunnels are earrings with a large diameter through hole. Typically, these earrings are worn in the earlobe.
- Pins are earrings that repeat the curve of the ear.
Unlike more massive ear cuffs, pins will give their owner charm and femininity.
Regardless of which earrings you choose, be it classic or trendy, be sure to try on the earrings and walk around in them for a while. You should be comfortable and comfortable, then the earrings will give you real pleasure. And most importantly - that both the decoration and the clasp are chosen correctly.