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Clasp Types

Endless

Endless hoops, also called continuous hoops and infinity hoops, are notoriously difficult to put on and take off. That "perfect circle" look has its price - a pretty challenging clasp. You have to actually twist the hoop slightly out of shape to get the wire into your lobe, which can be difficult and painful, and then twist it back to slide the wire into the earring's tube, also difficult and painful. And if you're not careful, you can deform the hoop - or your ear! People tend to put in continuous hoops and leave them in for days, weeks, even months at a time, both for their prized look and because they are so difficult to get in and out. People love the look of the endless hoop - usually the smaller and more difficult to put on, the better - they just don't love putting them on. Beauty hurts. (Video)


EasyOn Hinged Endless


Our EasyOn endless hoops address the age-old Endless Hoop Dilemma with a nearly-invisible hinge, which allows them to be more easily inserted and taken off than the classic endless hoop. And once they are in, they largely look just like an endless hoop. All the look of the traditional endless hoop without all the bent metal, pinched lobes, and muttered expletives. Customers who struggle with traditional endless hoops find our EasyOns much easier to manage. (Video)

Click-Down


Click-downs are pretty easy to put in and probably the most durable hinge out there. If the "claw" that catches and holds the wire becomes loose (and it might), it is very easy to gently squeeze it back into a firmer grip, such as with needle-nose pliers or even pinching it gently with your fingers. (Video)

Hinged / Huggie



Hinged hoops, most commonly seen in the Huggie Hoop, are much easier to put on. Over time, however, the hinge (which in huggie hoops is located at the bottom of the hoop, rather than at the top with the wire/post), can become loose and the "fastening" may become less tight and firm. But if you tend to leave them in for extended periods of time, you may not find the hinge loosening at all. (Video)

Wire Hook


Hook hinges, also called French hooks and fish hooks, are similar in shape to fish hooks or the hooks with which you hang Christmas ornaments. Perhaps the simplest "hinge," the hook simply slips into your ear, and you're done - there is no clasp, per se, no moving parts. The length of the hook itself, and of course gravity, are what prevent the earring from coming loose. Perhaps if you were hung upside-down by your ankles and shaken vigorously, the earring might come out. Just avoid dealings with the Russian mob, and you'll be fine.

Post-Back


The post hinge is most commonly seen in the stud earring, although it is also used in other earring types. You slide the straight post through your ear, and then slip the "nut" over the end of the post, so the earring doesn't slide back forward and out.

Omega-Back


Less common are omega back hinges (also known as lever-back), which, like a post hinge, have a solid post that slides into you ear, but on the back-side a spring-loaded hinge then snaps down over the end of the post, fastening it to your ear.