Earring Findings for Different Ages
Earring comfort and style needs can change over time, especially as earlobes naturally thin and elongate with age. By understanding how different findings affect both comfort and wearability, you can choose (or offer your customers) options that keep earrings looking beautiful without causing irritation or strain. In this tip, Judy Larson shares her own journey of adapting earring findings for different stages of life.
Instructions
Why Offer Different Earring Findings?
Why is it a good idea to have different options for earring findings for your customers?As people age, collagen and skin elasticity decrease. This natural process is one reason earlobes thin and elongate over time.
Wearing large or heavy earrings regularly can speed up this permanent elongation.
Having different earring findings available lets you meet a variety of client needs, which can also help boost sales.
And remember, not everyone prefers the same style of earring findings.
The First Pair: Gold-Plated Ear Wires
These earrings were made with gold-colored silver-plated copper craft wire for class demonstrations almost 15 years ago, back when my earlobes were still thicker.The original gold-plated purchased ear wires lasted only about a year before they began changing color and causing irritation.
I replaced them with hand-made gold-filled ear wires, which were a perfect color match for the craft wire and caused no irritation.
The hoops did swing slightly on the ear wires, but since they were lightweight, it was never a problem.
Finding Comfort with Age: Lever Backs to Ball Studs
About five years ago, the plastic and silicone ear nuts became harder to slip onto the ear wires. Dexterity issues can also come with aging, making them even more difficult to manage.I switched to gold-filled lever back earrings, which I loved because there was no more hunting for tiny ear nuts.
As my earlobes thinned, the swinging hoops began to pull uncomfortably. It was time for a final switch to gold-filled ball studs secured with large gold-filled ear nuts.
These larger ear nuts help distribute weight, so even when heavier elements are attached, they pull less on the earlobe.
Who knows, I may change them again by adding small gold beads to the sweep of gems, tying them into the ball stud design.
Note: Some people get filler injections in their earlobes, similar to lip fillers, to make them fuller. But this doesn't fix stretched-out holes, which happen alongside elongated lobes from wearing heavy earrings.
Materials
Sterling Silver Earwires 21mm w/ 1.5mm Bead - Pack of 2
K19-50
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $2.40
- Gold Club Price: $1.80
Sterling Silver Earwires 26mm - Pack of 2
K19-54
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $6.52
- Gold Club Price: $4.89
Sterling Silver Earwires 19mm - Pack of 2
K19-48
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $6.44
- Gold Club Price: $4.83
Sterling Silver Earwires Semi-Circle 23.5mm w/ 3mm Bead - Pack of 2
K19-64
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $2.72
- Gold Club Price: $2.04
Gold Filled Earnuts Jumbo 9.5mm - Pack of 2
J19-42
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $6.08
- Gold Club Price: $4.56
Sterling Silver Earnuts Jumbo 9.5mm w/.95mm Hole - Pack of 4
K19-31
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $5.56
- Gold Club Price: $4.17
Tools
Wire Jewelry Tool Kit
G15-1
- G15-1
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $49.97
- Gold Club Price: $37.48
Supply Detail
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- Category: Findings
- Technique(s): General Education
Judy Larson
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