when You Never Want To Take Them Off
Some earrings are so easy to wear they become a part of your everyday. They even make you wonder, “Do I ever need to take them off?” Who hasn’t slept in their favorite stud earrings upon occasion. Is that fine?
Your handmade earrings from my studio are likely stronger than machine made ones because I craft them carefully one by one. I give each one my close personal attention. I use high quality gold and silver. All of this flows from my intention that these earrings be part of your “forever pieces.” This is the sustainable approach to jewelry design.
And we must also consider the impact of physics….
Earrings and the pillow
An earring post is like a paper clip. What happens to a paper clip if you take one arm and bend it back and forth? It won’t be long before the arm snaps off. This familiar phenomenon is called “metal fatigue.”
Likewise, an earring post is firmly attached with metal solder to the earring body. Now think about what happens to the post when we put our heads down on that pillow to sleep. You will be resting but your earring post will be busy enduring “metal fatigue.”
- When you put your head down on the pillow, there is a high likelihood that your earring, along with its post, is going to receive some pressure or force.
- As you change positions during sleep, those forces may shift, effectively pressing the post away from its base, first one way and then another.
- Over time, these shifting pressures may cause the post to bend and, possibly, eventually snap.
- Earrings can get tangled in sheets and become lost in bedclothes.
- If you really love to sleep with earrings in your ears, consider some of the simple “sleeper” earrings made without posts, which try to minimize the metal fatigue issues.
Repairability = Sustainability
Objects that we mean to keep forever are deserving of our care. The fact that you are reading this article says that you are interested in knowing what kind of care brings the best results for your earrings. I suggest you simply avoid sleeping in your earrings.
And also remember that with all jewelry being worn on the body, life happens and repairs are to be expected from time to time. Just as your watch needs regular servicing, so may your earrings or other often worn pieces from your jewelry collection.
When it comes to repairs, you are in luck. This an area where handcrafted solid metal jewelry really shines. It is generally repairable, an underappreciated quality in modern life. It is wise to develop a relationship with a reputable jewelry repair shop near you or call us for information.
Repairability is a cornerstone of our Studio’s sustainability ethic and part of the beauty of “Handmade Forever Earrings.” So you can enjoy your handmade jewelry pieces in confidence.
Donna Weaver
Donna Weaver creates studio jewelry that is designed to become lifelong companions. Through her writing and metalwork, she explores how natural jewelry can enhance enjoyment and anchor us through the journeys and transitions of life.