Why do my earring backs keep falling off?

If you secure your stud earrings in place with the common "butterfly" ear nut backs, you really expect them to be secure - naturally.

These earring backs generally look like the picture shown here.  (These are the titanium backs Pretty Sensitive Ears' titanium and niobium stud earrings come with.)  This style of earring back features a central "plate" with a hole which the post of the earring passes through and two "wings" on either side which curl up, over, and in on themselves, creating a scrolled or spiraled shape. 

Earring Backs 101

I remember a time when I thought it was the hole in the central plate which secured the earring post.  However, what truly secures the earring post are the wings which clutch the post (see the green arrows in the photo below).  They squeeze the post and that is what secures your earring!  

How to Keep Earring Backs in Place

If your earring backs are coming off easily or inadvertently, here is what you need to do to secure your stud earrings:

1. First, remember to wash your hands before handling your jewelry and / or your piercing.  I also like to swipe my earring posts and backs with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) too to make sure they are free from germs.

2. Before you put on your earrings, squeeze the scrolled wings inward toward each other.  (See the blue arrows on the photo below.)

3. When you place the backs onto the earring post, make sure they make it at least to the little divot on the post.  You may feel a little click as the scrolled wings slide into that groove.

If you notice that your earring backs don't make it to the groove on the post, you may want to special order longer earring posts on your stud earrings.  (Reach out to us and we can help you with this!)

4. Give the scrolled wings another little squeeze inwards so they really grip the post.

Note: if you decide to cinch the earring back further onto the earring post to tighten the earring on the ear lobe, give the scrolled wings another little squeeze inward to help them grip the post once again.  

And that's it!  This tiny habit can save your studs, your wallet, and your sanity! (Because, seriously, dropped stud earrings sometimes seem to disappear into thin air...where do they go?!)

Bonus Earring-Back Tip!

Here is another handy earring-back tip: 

If the face of your stud earrings are drooping downward, it is a sign that the studs need more support behind the ear lobe!

If you find you are constantly needing to cinch the earring backs tighter to the lobe, you may want to custom order a shorter post on your stud earrings.  (Reach out to us and we can help you with this!)

If this is only happening with a particular pair of stud earrings, it may be that the face of the studs is heavier than your standard earring backs can support.  In which case, a set of earring backs with a larger diameter may be what is needed instead.

Reach out if you have any questions - we are here to help!

Amanda

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