DITCH THOSE FRAIL CHAINS AND WEAK EARRING BACKS!

Congrats!

You got jewelry for Christmas. But now it’s time to take a closer look…

For many pendants and earrings are accidents waiting to happen.

That’s because manufacturers like to push out frail jewelry to lower the cost and sell their pieces at better price points.

It all works well, until you break them or lose them.

So let’s look at pendants first…

Most pendants you find on the market come on tiny, thin, frail fine chains that will break in a heartbeat.

Those chains, tiny as they are, are not supposed to be worn on that pendant.

OH NO!

These chains are what I call “complementary” chains, and are only there to sell the pendant, and be able to display the pendant, but never to be worn. Truly. They’re too fine for that.

They keep cost down, sure. But that’s about it. Because if the pendant did have a heavier, more durable chain, the price would increase greatly (by a couple hundred dollars). So manufacturers (not the jewelers themselves) put on ultra-thin chains.

And it works (especially when the entire pendant only costs only $99). They have to cut the cost somewhere, and chains are the first to go.

I always, always, try to persuade customers into heavier chains. Something that will last and not break the first time you catch it on your sweater.

Not only do I Recommend Heavier Chains…

…And I’m not talking super heavy, just enough to give the chain a nice balance and protect your pendant or charm…

I’m also talking about the CLASP

Look for the lobster claw clasp (as shown on the chains below), instead of those super fragile spring-ring clasps. Put on a lobster and you’ll have yourself a nice pendant that you can wear and enjoy and have good peace-of-mind.

See what I mean below…

Thin chains versus thicker, heavier chains… Because when it comes to diamonds and gemstones, you don’t want to lose them!

Now let’s look at Earring Backs:

Manufacturers like to skimp on these as well. They put on such weak backs that your earrings will be lost down the drain. No kidding.

Often you’ll have a hard time putting these tiny backs on (they’ll push on sideways, pull apart, feel tiny and brittle), they really are. They’re so thin, so flimsy, so weak, that the earring post will just slide right through without gripping the post or being safe whatsoever. That’s SAD!

And Horrible!

So ditch them! Get yourself a nicer pair that will hold your earrings on your ears (and keep them from drooping). Ones that ‘SNAP‘ securely onto the post when you push them on. Often these better backs will have ridges, grooves, or just a more substantial base to hold your valuables (and look balanced with the earring and post).

Like these Earring Backs shown below…

Now those will hold!

And the best time to get these; is the day you buy them! If you’re looking at pendants or earrings in the jewelry store, ASK if they can swap out those frail chains or weak backs for better ones. Many times the jeweler will, or at the very least, work you out a deal on the more expensive items.

And that’s the best way to take care of your new Christmas goodies.

Cheers! :)