topic Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear. in Jewelry

Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

SahmIam — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 13:39:16 GMT

In the past year, I've been looking to purchase some white gold hoops. Every pair that I've purchase, no matter the size, have had posts that are too thick to fit through the piercing hole. A few looked ok, went through and in a few minutes, both ear holes were burning/stinking. When I hold up the posts to older gold hoops I have, there is a definite difference in the thickness of the posts. BTW, all the earrings that have caused pain have come from Italy.

I've also noticed that many hoops now have a tiny little ball at the very end of the post that goes through your ear. Sometimes, it hurts but the post itself is fine. What is up with that? The last pair I purchased (white gold, USA) had this design.

I don't see this with any of the diamond hoops I've looked at or own: they all have a straight bar that goes through the ear. The other simply gold hoops have a curved post that goes through the ear.

Am I the only one who is having issues, lol?

FYI: Every pair of gold hoops sold on QVC from Italy has the type of post I can't wear. Same at L & T and Nordstrom. This is NOT an issue with sterling silver, only gold. Sadly, sterling silver posts now make my earlobes swell so I have to stick to gold.

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

PinkyPetunia — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 13:51:15 GMT

You are not the only one. I haven't purhased hoop earrings in years so I can't comment on them. I like stud earrings and have had issues with the posts being too thick. I bought multiple sets of Honor Pearl studs (both silver and stainless steel posts). After wearing them for a few hours my ears are sore. They are hard to insert due to the thickness.

I went back to just wearing 14 kt. gold posts and my ears feel much better. The gold posts are much slimmer. I also can wear lever back earrings comfortably in any metal.

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

151949 — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 14:12:03 GMT

I have had the issue of overly fat posts, but I've not seen the ball at the end you are describing.I always return earrings where the post is uncomfortable.

I've had my piercings since infancy and I've never worn heavy or dangling earrings so my piercings are not at all stretched out.

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

hopi — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 14:16:47 GMT

@SahmIam

Only the earrings purchased from QVC have to be pushed thru my pierce due to the ridiculously large post. Who really wants to make bigger holes in their ear???

Don't want to be bashed but the earrings I purchase from Lisa Robertson's site she sells from Italy never have that problem.

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

Another new name Sue — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 15:09:26 GMT

I actually had to return a pair of earrings for this exact reason. No amount of lubrication would make them go through.

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

2blonde — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 15:29:42 GMT

The ones that give me trouble are usually the ones that have that "square" type post. I've had my piercings for 50 years and never have worn heavy earrings, so my holes aren't stretched. One of my ears is no problem for almost anything, but the other one is harder to get anything through except for a wire (leverback). I had an infected ear not too long ago from trying to force an earring through that hole (red, sore and swollen). I just don't do that anymore.

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

chrystaltree — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 17:35:46 GMT

I haven't notice that. However, the holes in my earlobes are over 40 years old and and big because I wear earrings everyday of my life.

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

Shanus — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 17:53:38 GMT

@SahmIam wrote:
In the past year, I've been looking to purchase some white gold hoops. Every pair that I've purchase, no matter the size, have had posts that are too thick to fit through the piercing hole. A few looked ok, went through and in a few minutes, both ear holes were burning/stinking. When I hold up the posts to older gold hoops I have, there is a definite difference in the thickness of the posts. BTW, all the earrings that have caused pain have come from Italy.

I've also noticed that many hoops now have a tiny little ball at the very end of the post that goes through your ear. Sometimes, it hurts but the post itself is fine. What is up with that? The last pair I purchased (white gold, USA) had this design.

I don't see this with any of the diamond hoops I've looked at or own: they all have a straight bar that goes through the ear. The other simply gold hoops have a curved post that goes through the ear.

Am I the only one who is having issues, lol?

FYI: Every pair of gold hoops sold on QVC from Italy has the type of post I can't wear. Same at L & T and Nordstrom. This is NOT an issue with sterling silver, only gold. Sadly, sterling silver posts now make my earlobes swell so I have to stick to gold.

@SahmIam The “standard” gauge for wire used for hoops or studs is 18g-21g. Some silver wire is coated to prevent tarnish (makes it thicker) & I’ve found w/ Italian jewelry, in general, their posts, wires are made thicker. I’d suggest finding a pr. you own that has a thicker wire hoop, coat it well w/ polysporin and carefully insert it. 2 or 3 times a day add more polysporin and turn the hoop or stud so it continues to glide easily. If possible, leave earrings in place for 2 wks. This is the same method like when they were first pierced. If all goes well, the piercing hole will slightly enlarge to accommodate the differences in sizes of posts/wires. Let me know how it goes for you. I did this 2 yrs. ago. I hated wearing the same earrings for 2 wks. (😜), but it worked. For comfort when sleeping, unless you sleep on your back, choose a hoop style. The back of a post will irritate behind your ear sleeping against it.

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

Shanus — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 18:02:05 GMT

Sometimes, through no fault of our own, the piercing hole can either develope scar tissue inside over many years or the “tunnel” from the front of ear to back becomes crooked causing us to wiggle earrings around to get them through.

If it’s really aggravating, a derm can use 1 stitch to close the existing piercing and re-pierce next to that one. The lobe is “deadened”...don’t feel a thing.

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

bridal_diva — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 18:10:07 GMT

This is a very interesting subject. I stopped buying earrings from QVC many years ago because the posts were too flimsy and the clutch so small it was hard to hang onto. My biggest gripe with their earrings was the findings were not substantial enough.

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

SahmIam — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 18:39:30 GMT

@Shanus Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow.

That's going to hurt, lololol. It's funny how I only have this problem with the curved posts that are often found on hoops but not the straight posts you find on hoops with DIAMONDS. Is there a reason why they can't all use the same style (and thickness) of posts? And, is this something recent? Never had this problem with any stud or hoop ever but suddenly, it's an issue. All my other earrings are fine, btw.

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

kitty_nina — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 22:10:22 GMT

@bridal_diva wrote:
This is a very interesting subject. I stopped buying earrings from QVC many years ago because the posts were too flimsy and the clutch so small it was hard to hang onto. My biggest gripe with their earrings was the findings were not substantial enough.

I feel exactly the same way. Most modern earrings have posts that are too thing, too short and butterfly backs too flimsy.

I usually only wear lever back or omega backs, and these hang nicely and the posts/wires are of good thickness. These are very hard to find and most of the earrings I see sold now are made to be lost.

I am over 40, and my piercings are not stretched out, however, I prefer medium thickness wire or post. That's what I always wore since I had my ears pierced and my mom alwyas said not to fall for flimsy post fashion earrings as later on my piercing would shring and it would be hurtful to go back to the "regular" earrings. Nowadays all earrings are skinny short posts. After my daughter wore some of the skinny 14K studs that were gifted to her she couldn't even put on her surgical steel posts that were used to pierce her ears!

So...I think my mom was right (LOL) and we both steer clear of tiny posts.

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

Lavenderjunkie — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 23:40:35 GMT

I have this problem on older 14K gold earrings I own. They didn't bother me years ago, but I wear earrings less often now, and my ears are more sensitive. If there is a pair of earrings I want to wear I coat the post with vaseline or neosporing or bacitracin so that my ear won't be irritated when putting on the earring. Usually, it's fine after that. But I find myself wearing only a few of my earring collection most of the time, those with thinner posts and those that are lighter weight.

Most of my silver earrings don't get worn at all because the posts are too thick....especially the artisan or designer earrings.

My ears are also much more sensitive to omega backs or larger disk and stainless steel backs.

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

Shanus — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 23:58:22 GMT

@SahmIam wrote:
@Shanus Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow.

That's going to hurt, lololol. It's funny how I only have this problem with the curved posts that are often found on hoops but not the straight posts you find on hoops with DIAMONDS. Is there a reason why they can't all use the same style (and thickness) of posts? And, is this something recent? Never had this problem with any stud or hoop ever but suddenly, it's an issue. All my other earrings are fine, btw.

@SahmIam Unfortunately, there are no regulations for jewelers other than stamping the metal used. It sure would make things easier. Many places do not allow trying on pierced earrings...health issues...I say, “Uh, cotton ball & alcohol?”.

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

Caaareful Shopper — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 11:48:59 GMT

I own so many pairs of earrings I cannot count them all (my favorite piece of jewelry). The only time I have purchased a pair with posts too thick to wear comfortably were a pair from Zulily. They were sterling silver; the brand no longer has items there (at least not currently). I guess I've been lucky.

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

cherry — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 14:32:36 GMT

I had mine done with a gun , not with a needle, and have never had any problems..My holes aren't stretched either, and I wear good earrings everyday. I sleep in them, and it never bothers me

You could get them done over, perhaps, with a gun, and see if that works

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

Glittergal — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 17:56:06 GMT

Earrings are my favorite jewelry and I have this problem too. For earrings that I really can't live without I take them to a local jeweler who puts new posts on for me. They can't always do it depending on the style, but I have had two pairs re-posted.

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

Kalli — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 19:12:45 GMT

I have the same problem. My ears were pierced with a needle and the holes are smaller. Once I realized what to look for, I stopped buying earrings that were too thick for my piercings. But I held onto a few with thicker wires, wear them once in a while and always put a generous dab of antibiotic ointment on each post before putting them in my ears.

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

BeccaLou — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 19:19:56 GMT

I sincerely hope you mailed them back as defective. That way you get a full refund.Because in my opinion they are defective.

Re: Earring posts that won't fit through your ear.

Q4u — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 19:32:40 GMT

I've only had problems with one type of earring.... the ones made with a flat post. It fits when I first put them in but they continue to broaden as it goes in. When I clip them closed they start to ache. This happened with a pair of 18k gold hoops I bought from QVC, and I've never had a problem wearing any other style in any of my 8 piercings (4 on each side).... but I've never purchased another pair without looking a the posts!