I placed my order for some martini set 1/2 ctw earrings with Wink on Monday and ordered the standard tension backs. Was that a good choice? The protector backs sound nice, but a bit ouchy $$$. Its hard to tell the size of the tension backs on the website, any photos? Are they beefier than your everyday earring back? Any different recommendations? I can probably change the back since I just ordered if necessary. Thanks so much for the help!!

Jodie

I know a lot of people like the protector backs for the additional protection they give holding the earrings on the ear. Especially for those who loose earrings, find the earrings become lose in their ears &/or catch on clothes, etc. I think they also are good if you plan to wear the earrings nonstop for long periods of time.

I have mostly worn just the protector backs and find they are fine for me. But I am not really an earring girl, especially studs, so don't live in them like most women here.

I would probably just go with the regular backs and see how they work for you and if you find you want or need the additional protection, order the protector backs later from Winfields. You might also have a local jeweler with those type backs you can see and try out in person.

Usually we are big sparklie enablers around here, but why spend the money if it's a bit of a stretch, unless you know for sure it's what you need. You can always get them later!

I just got earring from Wink and they accidentally ordered the protector backs for them...I had never used them before so I said I would give them a shot...I don't care for them. I use regular backs from other earrings. HTH

I am one of those girls who wears her studs all the time, but it seemed silly to order $60 protector backs for $140 cz earrings. Do the protector backs work on the standard posts? I was under the impression that they needed different posts. I guess I will stick with my original thought for now... Any comments on Winks regular tension backs? I am hoping they are just a more stout version of the regular backs on "department store" earrings.

Funny about the big sparklie enablers...haha. I was actually planning on getting much larger Winfield Cz earrings, but after trying on some at the store, I must have the worlds smallest lobes, because anything bigger than 1/2 ct total weight looked too big. Maybe when shrinkage sets in...

Jodie

Protector backs have special posts from what I'm told. Tension backs are the regular backs on any earring you get.

The protector backs are La Pousette backs.. There are a lot of good reasons to use them, and just as many to not..

They usually have a steel spring in them to make the triggers work.. If you swim a lot with your earrings in, or even leave them in all the time when you shower, there may be some rust buildup etc.. The other issue is that if they get "gunky" they may not lock properly. When you squeeze the trigger they may not spring back in to place properly.

I really prefer oversized, quality, tension backs.. Like everything else, there are some incredibly cheap backs out there that are just a couple of steps short of worthless

I think that it's safe to assume that Wink doesn't use those

Thanks everyone! Im just gonna go with the flow and see what I think of the standard backs. Im sure they will be just fine. If not, Im sure Wink can hook me up later with some heavy duty backs.

Jodie

LOL! Thank you my friend, you are right, we do not use the light weight. We have found that the medium weigh backs are what most people prefer, we had too many complaints with the heavy weight backs and now use them only on request.

The protector backs are similar to the La Pousettes, but are slightly different in diameter and to the best of my knowledge, they do not work well with normal posts but do require the special post that they are made with to work properly.

I think it is a pretty safe bet that Steve does not use the light weight backs either!

Wink

I am betting you will be very happy with the normal backs. And yes, we can always hook you up later if you are not happy with the normal backs.

Wink

Thanks for the response Wink. I am sure I will be just fine with your standard medium backs. Cant wait to get the earrings. Hope you had a wonderful christmas. Love the avatar btw. We are practically neighbors. Hubby lived in Boise for a while and I have visited quite a few times. Love the path by the river and Lucky 13 pizza...

Jodie