Most hoop earrings have a hinged closure, also called a click closure. You will also come across the threader closure of endless hoops, the lever back, the omega back and hoops with a loose butterfly back. Each closure feels different in your ear and works in its own way.
When you buy a new pair of hoops, you usually look at the shape and colour first. That makes sense, because that is what you see straight away. Yet it is the closure that decides how easily you put the hoop in and how securely it stays put. In this blog I walk you through every type, so you know exactly what to look for.
Why does the closure of a hoop earring matter so much?
The closure is the smallest part of a hoop, but the most important one for comfort.
Comfort and security in one tiny part
A good closure does two things at once. It keeps the hoop in place and it feels pleasant against your earlobe. If it is too stiff, you prick yourself. If it is too loose, the hoop slips out without you noticing.
That is why our founder looks at every design herself in the workshops in Italy, Bangkok and Hong Kong. She tests materials and checks the details, from the closure to the setting of a stone. For her, comfort is one of the three pillars of every piece, alongside quality and timeless design.
Which closures do you see most often on hoop earrings?
There are five closures you will see on hoops most of the time.
The hinged closure
This is the best known closure for small and medium hoops. A thin bar swings on a hinge and clicks into the front piece. You hear a soft click when it is closed. Our detailed blog explains step by step how a hoop earring opens and closes.
The advantage is clear. You put it in with one hand and the click gives you peace of mind. You will find this system on almost every model in our own hoop earrings.
The threader closure of endless hoops
An endless hoop is a thin, round ring. You slide one end into a small tube at the other end. Once closed, the ring looks like one continuous circle. Sleek and simple, but it takes a little patience, especially with fine wire.
The lever back
This closure has a small flap at the back. You open it, slide the wire through and press the flap shut again. You mostly find it on larger hoops and on drop earrings. It is very secure, but a little more visible.
The omega back
The omega back is named after the shape of the Greek letter omega. A curved bar clamps against the back of your earlobe. Jewellers often use it for heavier earrings, because the bar spreads the weight better.
Hoops with a butterfly back
Some hoops have a straight post with a loose back, just like a stud. That back is called a butterfly or scroll back. The principle is the same as with push back earrings. You can read exactly what that means in our blog what are push back earrings.
Which closure suits the way you wear jewellery?
Your daily routine decides which closure feels best for you.
For every day and for a second piercing
Do you wear your hoops almost every day? Then go for a hinged closure. You put it in quickly and the click tells you it sits right. It also works nicely in a second or third piercing, because the mechanism stays small and sits close to your earlobe. Not sure about the size? Read the difference between hoops and huggies first.
For large or heavy hoops
Do you love big statement hoops? Then a lever back or omega back is a sturdy choice. These closures spread the weight better. That way the hoop hangs nice and straight, even after a long evening.
For sensitive skin
With sensitive skin, the metal matters even more than the closure. After all, the post sits in your ear all day long. So choose a good base such as 925 sterling silver. You can read more in our blog about the best material for earrings.
How do you recognise a good hinged closure?
You can spot a good hinged closure by three small details that are easy to check yourself.
Check the click, the post and the finish
First, you hear or feel a clear click. Second, the post is straight and fits exactly into the opening. Third, the bar has a smooth finish, so nothing rubs in your ear.
The hoops in this blog are made of 925 sterling silver with a gold plated or rhodium plated finish. Sterling silver contains 92.5 percent silver and a small amount of copper. That mix makes the metal stronger than pure silver, and you notice it in the spring of the bar. If something goes wrong with the closure during normal use, it is covered by the two year warranty on manufacturing defects.
Frequently asked questions about hoop earring closures
I'm happy to answer a few frequently asked questions:
What is the closure on a hoop earring called?
The most common closure is called a hinged closure. You may also hear it called a click closure or a clicker hoop.
Which closure is the most secure?
A lever back and an omega back are very secure. For everyday wear, a good hinged closure is just as reliable, as long as you hear it click shut.
Are endless hoops hard to put in?
They take some practice, because you slide a thin wire into a small tube. Use a mirror and take your time. After a few tries it goes much faster.
Can you have the closure of a hoop replaced?
Sometimes, but with a broken hinged closure it is tricky, because the hinge is fixed to the front piece. If in doubt, contact the shop where you bought the hoops.
Want to know more, or have questions? The experts at Sparkling Jewels are happy to help.
