Making 7 Types of Earring Backs: A Silversmithing Tip

This beginner video tip shows 7 different ways to finish your earrings. This one shows French wires, kidney wires, bezel back hooks, hoop huggies, 3/4 hoop posts, and two different styles of posts. Ear wires and posts are generally 20 gauge sterling silver wire. I use My-T-Flux and hard silver solder. My second video on KZbin was about making French wires, but was basic and crude, so I thought it was time to do a proper one that included multiple types of findings. I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others, as I've taught people for most of my life. This hobby turned into a fun side gig for me for years while I taught public school. I love suggestions and hearing about others' experiences. What is your favorite project? What kind of tutorials would you find useful? Scroll down for information on my new Patreon!
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Making seven different earring findings

[@mawi1172]

Feel free to look us in the eye, Chad. We know you're kinda shy. But know that we're here out of CHOICE. We WANT TO hear what you have to say. We respect your talent! So don't be afraid to look straight into the camera for extended periods. That's what we're here for. To hear YOU! And your peaceful quiet manner kinda hinders you from being the bold and dynamic teacher you really are! Just remember, we're here to see you. To hear you. We're fans! Don't be embarrassed by that. Your soldering is top-notch! And the tidbits and pieces of info along the way are what helps us copy your work! I love you! If I ever do 'play with the fire' it will be because of your teaching me how. Look at us. Don't be shy. We love your show! 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Ma Wi:)

[@smokeydog67]

Thank you it’s hard to find a really good video on ear wires. Seems I’m always in need of some and at times they are hard to find and usually don’t have the style I want. I’m pretty sure I can tackle them now with no problem!

[@chadssilversmithing]

That's awesome Smokeydog! After you make a few, you can crank them out pretty quickly. Thanks for the nice comment!

[@nkaetchen]

Thanks so much!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Sure Nancy! Glad you liked it:)

[@mawi1172]

This video is PACKED with useful info. What you do, is give us more choices! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Thanks!

[@chadssilversmithing]

You are so welcome!

[@tammiehonican76]

Good job! More ideas!👍🖖

[@chadssilversmithing]

Glad you liked it!

[@annermel9121]

A great video. Thanks.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Ann! I appreciate the nice comment. Glad you found it useful:)

[@TofuDinoNugs]

I think the last one is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you

[@chadssilversmithing]

You're welcome TofuDinoNugs! I'm really glad it was helpful:)

[@judyirwig2835]

Thanks Chad. One of the many things I like about your tutorials (besides your clear and detailed instruction) is your warm and gracious manner. I would join your class if you weren’t so far from Sydney! 😅 I’ve been attending weekly workshops here with a fantastic tutor for many years, and she and I have become great friends. ❤

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you Judy! That is very kind. It’s only an 8000 mile commute:)

[@bavariangirl123]

Great video as always! I have found that 20 gauge half-hard Argentium works better than sterling. If you ball the wire for French hooks, the balls are nice and smooth. It is also hypoallergenic.

[@chadssilversmithing]

I still have never messed with Argentium. Probably should try that sometime:)

[@bavariangirl123]

@@chadssilversmithing I think you will love it!

[@SP-fy4fx]

Chad, Thanks for your great information! I always learn something helpful from your channel. My favorite was the final ear wire setup. No ear nuts or backs with little chance of losing. 20 gauge great suggestion for the kidney wires.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks S P! Just thought I needed to make a better earring video:)

[@josephgraham319]

Love your channel, I started 20 years ago to save money going to Clairs with my daughters. Your technique lines up soooo close to what I did. Great, proper amd clean. You are inspiring to get back to the table. Your comments about sales are inspirational.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Joseph! Maybe you should:)

[@CherylAnn2222]

I realy love the last one you made, These were very helpful tips! Thanks Chad!!!

[@chadssilversmithing]

I’m really glad you found them so Ms.C2222! Thanks for the nice comment:)

[@suethompson6399]

Cool, thank you.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Of course Sue!

[@whoffywolf]

I learn something, even little thing by watching you thru your making jewelry. Thanks . Twist wire to make it stronger

[@chadssilversmithing]

Glad you got something good out of it Blake! Thanks for the comment:)

[@flyingcheff]

LOVED this one, Chad! Also, I can't wait for the tube bending episode. That can be a challenge, I'm so curious how YOU do it. Delightfully, you seem to do many things differently (than my training), and that is really interesting to me, I want to learn it all! 😀

[@chadssilversmithing]

I’ve yet to find a foolproof easy way for larger tubes, so I usually buy little silver curved beads for tube bails, but thin tubes like the kind I use for hinges are easy. You just insert a piece of wire that fills the tube, bend it, and then pull the wire out. I’m interested in how you curve bigger ones:). Thanks for the nice comment!

[@flyingcheff]

@Chad’s Silversmithing Yes, I've heard that technique, but to make, for example, a pair of tube hoops, it is very difficult to remove the inside wire. For larger tubes, I've been advised to soak in alum after you use steel wire as the inside forming wire. Also, I've seen a tutorial in an old Lapidary Journal Jewelery Artist magazine where a bottle was used as a mandrel (any mandrel could work, I imagine it doesn't have to be a bottle) and a well annealed tube was bent in one confident move, pushing around the mandrel. Soaking out steel inside wire with alum sounds tedious and time-consuming...

[@bjones4097]

Thanks Chad! Another very informative and thorough video. So helpful for those just starting out!

[@chadssilversmithing]

You’re welcome:). Thanks for the nice comment!

[@mawi1172]

THANK YOU!!!!! 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄. I have wanted to make them forever! Kidney shaped? Is that what you call regular ear wires? Whatever! I'm sooo glad to know how to make the hook. I can't figure simple things out like that. I NEED instruction. 🙄. There you go again, teaching me things I didn't know I needed to know! 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@chadssilversmithing]

I didn’t know they were called that either until I started prepping for this video, even though I’ve made those on and off for years:). You’re welcome Ma Wi!

[@lenastiward8657]

Always enjoy you and your videos and I always learn lots of techniques and tips! Thank you ❤

[@chadssilversmithing]

You’re welcome Lena!

[@ksan7144]

Thanks so much. Liked the different styles of ear wires.

[@chadssilversmithing]

You’re welcome 😊

[@Wishingwell688]

I absolutely love your videos! I’m a newbie and have learned so much from you. Thank you!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Wishing Well! Nothing is better than hearing that you've helped someone. I'm really glad you are finding these useful:)

[@catzkeet4860]

Great info. It's good to go over these basic things. Many yt jewelers are all about the fancy designs, but never cover the basic foundation pieces. Oh, and when I make French hooks, I hammer them on my steel block to harden. Just be careful not to make the wire edges sharp, and keep the bit that goes thru the ear, round for comfort.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Catz! Good information. Thank you for sharing!

[@erizabesu87]

Hello! All videos are very useful! It would be nice to see more videos about bracelet locks, shaping metal(creating interesting shape and texture) especially about different texture! Thanks a lot 🤗

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you Nawar. Just posted this one:). kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXyyinapnM15m8k. Likely some texture stuff in the future!

[@paulinemegson8519]

Oh wow, I can’t believe I missed this video. Always up for another earwire technique. And can I also say, if a little late, that it’s nice to see a silver worker using a wrapped loop.it’s weird but many silversmiths seem to look down on the wrapped loop “it’s a wire wrapping technique” like it’s not “real” silver work. It’s secure tho and personally I think it has its place. Such a handy video, thank you Chad.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Sure Pauline. Glad it was useful!

[@BeetleBuns]

fr, it can add to the piece in many scenarios. Heck, you can even chuck some solder on the wrap if it makes you feel better xD I don't get why someone would prefer one method over another because they think that method is somehow beneath them, rather than whether or not it fits the piece they're making

[@garypryor6473]

Thank you for sharing this. Has a newbie it was really interesting to see the options.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Of course Gary! I’m glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching!

[@patredden4557]

Lots of great information, I’m going to try some soon. Thanks for sharing.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Glad you liked it Pat!

[@tamaraadams9317]

Very informative tutorial, Chad! Thanks! Question: For the last closure. After you make the earring back, how would you set the stone without damaging the earring back? I would love to try that one, but I'm not sure how I would set the stone. Thanks for your help. Great video!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Tamara! I usually just hold it in my hands while I set it, but you could try to secure it in a ring vise or some other type of vise maybe.

[@tamaraadams9317]

@@chadssilversmithing Oh, okay. Wondering when you'll be making that demo on forming tubing into earrings without crimping the tubing. You mentioned it in your video and look forward to seeing it. Thanks, Chad! 🙂

[@andreamarkovic6314]

Where do you purchase your rubber backs and rubber earring backs? Thanks for the video!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Usually Rio Grande. I may have gotten some from Amazon at some point too. Thanks for the comment Andrea!

[@nkaetchen]

What size jeweler’s file are you using? And what kind of cutters are you using? Thanks!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Kaetchable. I think it is a German #2. As far as cutters, I use Xuron wire cutters that leave a flat(ish) cut on one side. For sheet metal I generally use Fiskars craft shears unless it’s really thick, in which case I will switch to tin snips or sawing the piece. Hope this helps.

[@nkaetchen]

Thanks, Chad!

[@eleanorjentas798]

How do u bend tube would love to know

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Eleanor! Good question that's hard to answer well in a comment. For thin tube like I use for hinges, I just put wire that fits in the tube completely, bend it, and then remove the wire. For thicker tubes there are a number of ways to do it, which are mostly cumbersome, so it's a topic that probably merits a video itself. I will do some research on best practices and probably make a video in the near future. I bet there are a lot of videos on that already, so you might do a little searching around KZbin:)

[@sarahowens4458]

Do you make studs, I just need the backs I would set the stone. How much would you charge for them?

[@chadssilversmithing]

Unfortunately Sarah, I’ve made myself a pretty busy schedule getting this KZbin channel going, and I don’t think I have enough hours in the day to take that on right now. Sorry about that! Thanks for the comment!

[@sarahowens4458]

That's alright, thanx for letting me know. I love watching your KZbin channel, even though it's not the way I do my Art it's still inspirational. I tried to show you some of my pieces however when I went to your Instagram page it would not load. I tried several times. I wanted to let you know in case it was happening for other people. Have a blessed day.

[@chadssilversmithing]

@@sarahowens4458 Maybe the Internet was just glitching. Try again later. I’d love to see your work:)

[@flyingcheff]

Sarah, check online for settings. You can buy them ready for stone setting in literally thousands of designs - and I expensive. And believe me, Rio Grande is NOT the only source. In fact, they are pretty much the lowest bar after Asian cheap imports. I'm sure Asia aso has great products, but its rare to find them outside Asia. Best of luck.

[@Gazz_R]

This a real handy vid Chad, think i'll be returning to this one a few times. Thanks for sharing and have a fantastic week.

[@chadssilversmithing]

You too Gazz!