They just snap to the lobe to hold it in place but do tend to slip off fairly easily when dangles are too heavy. The top arch is a finer gauge wire that goes through the lobe and then inserts into the open end of the tubing to create an 'endless' loop shape.Ĭlip-ons - are the most popular non-pierced earrings.

The larger surface area on the hoops allows for more ornate patterns, shapes and designs.Įndless Hoops - are primarily made from hollow tubing.

Hinged hoops are often made with hollow tubing or solid castings. These earrings have a hinge that securely latches it into place. Hinged Hoops - are a more expensive, premium type of earring findings. Or, they may have a circular loop at one end to receive the bent latch hook. Wire hoops usually have one end flattened and pierced so the hook end can latch into the hole. Wire Hoops - these lightweight and inexpensive hoops are ideal for beading or wirework additions. These findings have a hinged backing that securely snaps into place behind the ear lobe.Įar Harp - shaped like a harp, these findings consist of a post and hinge backing that snaps in place for a secure hold. Leverbacks - are premium earring findings. Current variations include larger wires that hang lower from the ear. Kidney wires are an inexpensive type of earring findings and more secure since they rarely push out of a piercing. Kidney Wires - are made from wire shaped like a kidney with a hook that latches the finding together. V-wires are typically larger than standard earwires and can support heavier dangles.Įar Threads - these long earrings thread through the ear and out the opposite side so dangles appear both in front and behind the lobe for an interesting illusion effect. V-wires or Marquise Wires - this type of earring findings is a popular variation on the standard hook shape. A rubber back stopper can help to secure these earrings in place to avoid losses. The drawback of earwires is that they often push forward out of the ear when the end-user wears certain hairstyles, scarves or turtlenecks. Many variations exist by changing the shape, altering the wire or adding ornaments to the hook itself. Post earrings stay in place using a clutch or butterfly backing.įrench or Shepherd Hooks - the most popular of all pierced earrings, hook earwires are inexpensive and easy to make by forming wire. Designs can be enhanced with drop rings for dangles. Post earrings consist of the post that goes through the piercing and embellishment that is fused or soldered to the front. Post or Stud EarringsĮarring Posts - These types of earrings create the illusion of floating on an earlobe, they are also the first earrings you wear after piercing your ears. However, this blog will focus on traditional earring findings. Piercings continue to evolve to this day with variations in body adornment. Eventually, ear-piercing guns were invented and improved sterilization techniques were used which promoted further adoption of fashion piercings. In the 1970s piercing reached new heights as nurses began attending ear piercing parties at department stores, alleviating the need for home piercings using a needle and a prayer that infections wouldn't occur. First popular with men dating back to the Persian Empire, it remained that way for centuries until eventually the tables turned and women began to dominate ear adornments. Earring findings are nothing new, but they have evolved over the years.