How to Repair Clip-on Earrings
Clip-on earrings used to be a relic of antique jewelry. But with the popularity of long, dangling
earring
styles, some wearers prefer the safety of a clip. Whether the clip is broken, too loose, or too tight, you can follow these tips to adjust the comfort of your clip-on earrings.
Things You'll Need:
Pliers
Needle-nosed pliers
Step
1
Examine the back of earring. If the back is paddle-shaped with a hinge at the bottom, follow these instructions. For other styles of earring, see the additional tips section.
Step
2
Separate the paddle from the hinge. Use needle-nose pliers to gently squeeze the outer prongs on the sides of the paddle just above the hinge. Squeeze just until the points that hold the paddle to the hinge are loose enough to come out.
Step
3
Tighten a loose earring back. Hold the top of the paddle with a flat-faced pair of pliers. Use the needle-nosed pliers to gently bend the center prong of metal until it is even with the two outer prongs.
Step
4
Loosen an earring back that pinches. Hold the top of the paddle with a flat-faced pair of pliers. Use the needle-nosed pliers to gently bend the center prong slightly further away from the two outer prongs. Making just a slight adjustment will have a big effect on the comfort of the
earrings
.
Step
5
Repair connection points that are bent. Holding the paddle with the flat-faced pliers, use the needle-nosed pliers to gently bend the connection points back into their original positions. They should be even with the prongs and not twisted.
Step
6
Replace an earring back that has a broken center prong or broken connection points. You can purchase replacement paddles, or salvage a paddle from an old, unwanted or mismatched pair. Make sure the color and style of the new back matches the old earring.
Step
7
Reassemble the earring back. Place the points on the outer prongs back into their holders. If the holders have spread slightly, then squeeze the holders slightly with the pliers to make them tight again.
Tips & Warnings
Earrings that have screws can be adjusted by turning the screw until it fits comfortably.
Simple lever-back earrings and earrings that use friction hinges will need professional alteration.
A standard U-clip, which has a U-shaped piece of metal that runs from the front of the earring to a lever on the back, can be gently spread or narrowed to adjust the fit.
If the earrings are painted, coated or plated, bending the metal may cause the outer layer to crack or peel off. Use gentle force or contact a professional.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2072894_repair-clipon-earrings.html
Clip-on earrings used to be a relic of antique jewelry. But with the popularity of long, dangling
earring
styles, some wearers prefer the safety of a clip. Whether the clip is broken, too loose, or too tight, you can follow these tips to adjust the comfort of your clip-on earrings.
Things You'll Need:
Pliers
Needle-nosed pliers
Step
1
Examine the back of earring. If the back is paddle-shaped with a hinge at the bottom, follow these instructions. For other styles of earring, see the additional tips section.
Step
2
Separate the paddle from the hinge. Use needle-nose pliers to gently squeeze the outer prongs on the sides of the paddle just above the hinge. Squeeze just until the points that hold the paddle to the hinge are loose enough to come out.
Step
3
Tighten a loose earring back. Hold the top of the paddle with a flat-faced pair of pliers. Use the needle-nosed pliers to gently bend the center prong of metal until it is even with the two outer prongs.
Step
4
Loosen an earring back that pinches. Hold the top of the paddle with a flat-faced pair of pliers. Use the needle-nosed pliers to gently bend the center prong slightly further away from the two outer prongs. Making just a slight adjustment will have a big effect on the comfort of the
earrings
.
Step
5
Repair connection points that are bent. Holding the paddle with the flat-faced pliers, use the needle-nosed pliers to gently bend the connection points back into their original positions. They should be even with the prongs and not twisted.
Step
6
Replace an earring back that has a broken center prong or broken connection points. You can purchase replacement paddles, or salvage a paddle from an old, unwanted or mismatched pair. Make sure the color and style of the new back matches the old earring.
Step
7
Reassemble the earring back. Place the points on the outer prongs back into their holders. If the holders have spread slightly, then squeeze the holders slightly with the pliers to make them tight again.
Tips & Warnings
Earrings that have screws can be adjusted by turning the screw until it fits comfortably.
Simple lever-back earrings and earrings that use friction hinges will need professional alteration.
A standard U-clip, which has a U-shaped piece of metal that runs from the front of the earring to a lever on the back, can be gently spread or narrowed to adjust the fit.
If the earrings are painted, coated or plated, bending the metal may cause the outer layer to crack or peel off. Use gentle force or contact a professional.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2072894_repair-clipon-earrings.html
