Earring Closures Explained: How Every Type Works

Earring Closures Explained: How Every Type Works

You've found the perfect piece, but how does it actually go in? The closure is the part nobody talks about, and it decides how secure your jewellery feels, how easy it is to change, and how comfortable it is to wear.

Push pin (threadless)

How it works: A pin on the decorative top has a slight bend. You push it into the hollow post, and the tension holds it in place. To remove, you pull the top and post apart.

Why people love it: No screwing, no threads rubbing through your piercing. Easy to swap tops once you get the hang of it.

Good to know: The bend creates the grip. If a top feels loose, a very slight, gentle bend of the pin tightens it. Ask your piercer if you're unsure.

Fitting it: Our piercing pieces are finely made, so take your time when inserting. Go gently and never force the post, as fine posts can bend under pressure. The slight bend in the pin is intentional, not a fault: push-pin jewellery works by tension, and the gentle bend holds the top securely in place.

Best for: Flat, tragus, helix and conch studs.

Internally threaded

How it works: The screw thread is on the decorative top, and it twists into the post. The post itself is smooth.

Why people love it: Because the smooth post is what passes through your piercing, there are no threads to catch or irritate on the way in. It's widely considered a high-quality option for body jewellery.

Good to know: Twist gently until snug. Over-tightening can make it tricky to remove later.

Best for: Cartilage piercings and anyone with sensitive ears.

Externally threaded

How it works: The thread is on the end of the post itself, and the top or ball screws onto it.

Good to know: Because the threads pass through your piercing when you put it in, they can scratch or irritate. Many piercers avoid externally threaded jewellery, especially for fresh piercings.

Best for: Healed piercings only, if at all.

Hinged (clicker)

How it works: A section of the hoop swings open on a small hinge and clicks shut.

Why people love it: The easiest closure to use. One hand, no fiddly parts, no pieces to drop.

Good to know: Open and close gently. Forcing the hinge sideways can loosen it over time.

Best for: Lobes, helix and anywhere you want a secure, easy hoop.

Seamless ring (twist to open)

How it works: A continuous ring with no visible closure. To open it, twist the ends sideways in opposite directions, never pull them apart. Insert, then twist back until the ends meet.

Why people love it: A clean, uninterrupted look.

Good to know: Pulling the ends apart can bend the ring out of shape. Twist, don't pull.

Best for: Minimal hoops in lobe and cartilage.

Which Elmaiye piercing pieces use which closure?

 

Not sure what to wear where? Read our guide to every ear piercing type or our beginner's guide to building an ear stack. And if sensitive ears are your worry, here's why the metal matters.

FAQ

What is the most secure earring closure?

Hinged hoops and well-fitted push pin or internally threaded studs are all very secure when fitted properly.

What's the difference between internally and externally threaded?

Internally threaded jewellery has the thread on the top, which screws into a smooth post. Externally threaded has the thread on the post itself, which passes through your piercing.

Why does my push pin top keep falling out?

The pin probably needs a very slight, gentle bend to create more tension.

Is the pin on my push-pin earring supposed to be bent?

Yes. The slight bend is intentional, not a fault. Push-pin jewellery works by tension: the gentle bend holds the top securely in place inside the post.

How do I open a seamless hoop?

Twist the ends sideways in opposite directions. Don't pull them apart, as it can distort the ring.

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