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Hooked on earrings
By: Crystal Flair
There are a multitude of earrings findings for the jeweller and beader to put to good use. This said you will find they usually fall into one of a couple of categories.
At your left you will see a small sample for earring findings and other findings that can be used to complete a pair of earrings.
a: is a ball post with loop, also known as a stud. The loop can face either front to back or side to side. Balls are like full round beads but you may also get half ball posts also known as dome posts and some lovely fancy shaped posts.
b: ear wires can come in a lot of fancy styles and often their labels are intermingled. The ones pictured are sometimes known as kidney wires and do come in decorative designs as well as very simple plain ones. Some do not have closure devices and then you may want to consider using earring backs. These are made from rubber and help prevent the loss of a ear hook while being worn or displayed on cards.
c: French ear wires/hooks are known by a few names and do come in several designs. You can get the hooks from a small size suitable for younger children and the delicate ear to large hooks that hang quite low. Earring hooks can come plain, with a bead, a coil or both. Sometimes the hook will be flattened a little as the one pictured and I do have to say these are my favourites.
d: leaver backs are also known as continental hooks, they have a hinged back that closes securely and can also come in some lovely decorative designs. At times instead of a hole for making dangle earrings they will come with a stone setting ready for you to add the gemstone of your choice.
e: an eye pin comes in many lengths and makes it possible to make double dangle earrings. It is possible to make eye pins quite easily either by cutting the head off a head pin or using some wire.
f & g: head pins also come in varying lengths and can have a flat head, a round ball head or the lovely fancy heads like those of Bali head pins.
not pictured is the variety of clipbacks available for non pierced ears.
All these earring findings can be found in different finishes from sterling silver and gold filled to nickel, plated base metals and niobium (a low allergenic non nickel element), but that is another article for another day.
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