Do your ears hang low?
We used to sing that children's song,
"Do your ears hang low, do they wobble to and fro?
Can you tie 'em in a knot, can you tie 'em in a bow?
Can you throw 'em over your shoulder like a regimental soldier?..."
Not so funny now, is it?
Bunny, who writes La Sewista, which features her formidable sewing and craft skills, asked about earrings for two conditions: stretched holes from years of wearing heavy pierced earrings, and lobe droop, from just the years. I look at old photos of me in earrings that weighed more than a dinner knife and wonder how I endured them. Did you indulge?
For seriously stretched holes—some women split the lobe all the way— or pronounced sagging, the only remedial treatments are plastic surgeries; search "ear repair surgery" for torn holes, and "lobuloplasty", for reshaping. (Photo of damaged lobe and repair courtesy of FlatironsDermatology.com.)
Since the ear thins over time, another treatment, injectable fillers, temporarily plumps limp lobes, much like facial fillers. This is a strictly cosmetic treatment and does not strengthen the tissue.
So adios, Mexican silver chandeliers with eight plump amethysts on each, because healthier statement earrings abound.
What is too heavy now will be a matter of your anatomy and tolerance. Take several pairs you can wear all day without even thinking about them, and weigh each pair on your kitchen scale. Make that range your benchmark. Most jewellers do not list weight online but will provide it if you ask. I stick to earrings around 4 grams each.
But it’s not just about weight, it is how it is distributed. The larger the surface area covered by the earring on the front and back of the ear, the more the weight is spread out.
For stud (also called post) earrings, extra-large push backs will add supportt, but if you have short hair, the back view is of large plastic discs. The lever back (also called French clip) is a more secure backing but when the earring is mostly hanging off the ear, additional support is minimal.
Leave it to a pearl-loving jeweller to invent a better back: Judi McCormick’s Rabbit Ears (price, $US 17) are smart additions even if your piercing is still perky, because they keep stud earrings from tipping forward. (Shown on Judy's lust-worthy pearl Constellation earrings.)
Pearls, light
The Chinese freshwater variety called the "soufflé pearl" results in a strong but light pearl, perfect for glowy grownup studs.
In short, the nucleus is extracted when the pearl is drilled, resulting in considerably less weight. Therefore, a sizeable soufflé stud will be much lighter on the ear, and unlike its culinary namesake, never deflate.
The earrings shown are also from Judi McCormick, and show the magnificence; a large pearl that's light is a welcome innovation. Price, $US 595.
Drag and drop
If the earring is a drop, the longer the drop, the more drag on the hole: simple physics. You already know what designs are lightweight, such as fine-gauge wirework, and what materials to avoid: big glass or stone focal beads; elaborate, metal-intensive constructions.
If your holes have stretched somewhat, you may think that a stud is all you can have, but you can wear many other styles if they are well-designed.
Most hoops have a visible wire-latch closing which exposes stretched holes. Even huggie hoops, made to fit tightly against the piercing, will reveal a large hole. Look for a stud-to-hoop design (stoops?). These are yellow enamel with rock crystal, by Bea Bongiasca; price, $1, 149 at TwistOnline, but you can find stud-hoops at lower price points.
Dangles:
At least 80% of dangles use a fishhook or leverback closure, which fully reveals the hole. Look for the less-common alternative: a stud at the top, covering the hole, and a dangle that is not too heavy.
Below, a fine-jewellery example, Monaka green garnet and pink sapphire earrings set in 18k gold with a light chain dangle. You can wear them with the green garnet and pink sappphire, or just the sapphire. Price, $US 979 at TwistOnline.
Lobes, Schmobes
Camouflage longer lobes with button styles that cover the real estate; a generous size punches up a simple outfit.
If you want light weight but colour and interest, look for titanium, niobium, or anodized aluminum. You'll get size, comfort, and thrilling colours.
At left, a pair that hides elongated lobes, and comes in various colourways. By Etsy seller Glampourus; price, about $US 80. Shown in purple/pink and all-gold.
Stud-to-dangle
Another good style for longer lobes is the dangle that begins with a stud and includes dangle elements that cover most of the lobe.
I prefer a dangle to have at least one joint so the earring moves gracefully.
Lillian Von Trapp's recycled gold 14k Bonsai earrings show this artful approach. Everything is covered, but the earring still looks graceful. Price, $US 755 at TwistOnline.
Blissfully light on the budget, too
From Vancouver's Kaju Creations, a line of polymer earrings that are cool, very reasonable (free shipping to Canada!), and cover in style. All have surgical steel posts. Please contact seller for weight if you want to be sure.
Left to right, three Kaju Creations pieces:
Terrazo midi dangles, $CDN 35
Cleo earring in "opal", $CDN 31
Sue hoop dangles, $CDN 37
Reno for fishook styles
If you have favourite dangles but the fishhook wires don't please, it's worth converting the closing to post tops.
Match the metal and be sure the hook on the new bottom element is the right size to accommodate the dangle element neatly. The old and new elements should form a harmonious new design, not just get rid of the wires.
This pair of sterling silver post with hook from Etsy seller VDIJewelryFindings is about $10; if you''re handy with needle-nosed pliers, you could do it yourself. Silver yields fairly easily but once bent, the shape is not easy to recover; gold is finicky.
If your earrings are valuable or sentimental, ask a jeweller to do the work. Trust me, you don't want to learn respect for jewellery-making skills on your best pair!
I cannot resist: Happy New Ears!
"Do your ears hang low, do they wobble to and fro?
Can you tie 'em in a knot, can you tie 'em in a bow?
Can you throw 'em over your shoulder like a regimental soldier?..."
Not so funny now, is it?
Bunny, who writes La Sewista, which features her formidable sewing and craft skills, asked about earrings for two conditions: stretched holes from years of wearing heavy pierced earrings, and lobe droop, from just the years. I look at old photos of me in earrings that weighed more than a dinner knife and wonder how I endured them. Did you indulge?
For seriously stretched holes—some women split the lobe all the way— or pronounced sagging, the only remedial treatments are plastic surgeries; search "ear repair surgery" for torn holes, and "lobuloplasty", for reshaping. (Photo of damaged lobe and repair courtesy of FlatironsDermatology.com.)Since the ear thins over time, another treatment, injectable fillers, temporarily plumps limp lobes, much like facial fillers. This is a strictly cosmetic treatment and does not strengthen the tissue.
So adios, Mexican silver chandeliers with eight plump amethysts on each, because healthier statement earrings abound.
What is too heavy now will be a matter of your anatomy and tolerance. Take several pairs you can wear all day without even thinking about them, and weigh each pair on your kitchen scale. Make that range your benchmark. Most jewellers do not list weight online but will provide it if you ask. I stick to earrings around 4 grams each.
But it’s not just about weight, it is how it is distributed. The larger the surface area covered by the earring on the front and back of the ear, the more the weight is spread out.For stud (also called post) earrings, extra-large push backs will add supportt, but if you have short hair, the back view is of large plastic discs. The lever back (also called French clip) is a more secure backing but when the earring is mostly hanging off the ear, additional support is minimal.
Leave it to a pearl-loving jeweller to invent a better back: Judi McCormick’s Rabbit Ears (price, $US 17) are smart additions even if your piercing is still perky, because they keep stud earrings from tipping forward. (Shown on Judy's lust-worthy pearl Constellation earrings.)
 |
| Photo: Judimccormickjewelry.com |
Pearls, light
The Chinese freshwater variety called the "soufflé pearl" results in a strong but light pearl, perfect for glowy grownup studs.In short, the nucleus is extracted when the pearl is drilled, resulting in considerably less weight. Therefore, a sizeable soufflé stud will be much lighter on the ear, and unlike its culinary namesake, never deflate.
The earrings shown are also from Judi McCormick, and show the magnificence; a large pearl that's light is a welcome innovation. Price, $US 595.
Drag and drop
If the earring is a drop, the longer the drop, the more drag on the hole: simple physics. You already know what designs are lightweight, such as fine-gauge wirework, and what materials to avoid: big glass or stone focal beads; elaborate, metal-intensive constructions.
If your holes have stretched somewhat, you may think that a stud is all you can have, but you can wear many other styles if they are well-designed.
Dangles:
At least 80% of dangles use a fishhook or leverback closure, which fully reveals the hole. Look for the less-common alternative: a stud at the top, covering the hole, and a dangle that is not too heavy.
Below, a fine-jewellery example, Monaka green garnet and pink sapphire earrings set in 18k gold with a light chain dangle. You can wear them with the green garnet and pink sappphire, or just the sapphire. Price, $US 979 at TwistOnline.
Lobes, Schmobes
Camouflage longer lobes with button styles that cover the real estate; a generous size punches up a simple outfit.If you want light weight but colour and interest, look for titanium, niobium, or anodized aluminum. You'll get size, comfort, and thrilling colours.
At left, a pair that hides elongated lobes, and comes in various colourways. By Etsy seller Glampourus; price, about $US 80. Shown in purple/pink and all-gold.
Stud-to-dangle
Another good style for longer lobes is the dangle that begins with a stud and includes dangle elements that cover most of the lobe.
I prefer a dangle to have at least one joint so the earring moves gracefully.
Lillian Von Trapp's recycled gold 14k Bonsai earrings show this artful approach. Everything is covered, but the earring still looks graceful. Price, $US 755 at TwistOnline.
Blissfully light on the budget, too
From Vancouver's Kaju Creations, a line of polymer earrings that are cool, very reasonable (free shipping to Canada!), and cover in style. All have surgical steel posts. Please contact seller for weight if you want to be sure.
Left to right, three Kaju Creations pieces:
Terrazo midi dangles, $CDN 35
Cleo earring in "opal", $CDN 31
Sue hoop dangles, $CDN 37
Reno for fishook styles
Match the metal and be sure the hook on the new bottom element is the right size to accommodate the dangle element neatly. The old and new elements should form a harmonious new design, not just get rid of the wires.
This pair of sterling silver post with hook from Etsy seller VDIJewelryFindings is about $10; if you''re handy with needle-nosed pliers, you could do it yourself. Silver yields fairly easily but once bent, the shape is not easy to recover; gold is finicky.
If your earrings are valuable or sentimental, ask a jeweller to do the work. Trust me, you don't want to learn respect for jewellery-making skills on your best pair!
I cannot resist: Happy New Ears!
Comments
Jane: If you want to wear earrings, you might have a jeweller custom-make a pair with titanium findings (such as studs, hooks, butterfly backs) and see how that goes. At first I thought of suggesting you try out a titanium bracelet or ring, but the piercing can react even when the finger is happy. Sometimes the tolerance changes. n my 20s I was allergic to gold, even high-karat, but seemed to grow out of that.
Ms. Liz: I so appreciate hearing from someone who had this done. This would bug me, too—like a picture hung too high or low. Given that the procedure is low risk, why not?
I'm grateful that readers have given their account of this. One jeweller told me recently that so many of her middle aged and older customers were refusing to buy styles that showed the hole in the lobe that she had a lot of unsold inventory.