How to Remove Backings From Vintage Clip-On Earrings
Vintage clip-on earrings are often found in thrift stores and garage sales at very inexpensive prices. The clip-on device on the back of the earring may be worn out or broken but this is easy to update so long as both earrings are available. Removing old clip-on or screw-on backs can usually be done in a few short minutes and installing new backs will make your vintage pieces ready to wear.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Clip-on earrings
- Adhesive remover
- Q-tip
- Needle nose pliers
- Jeweler saw (optional)
- Padded vise (optional)
- Sandpaper
- E6000 jewelry glue (optional)
- Pierced earring post (optional)
Instructions
-
-
1
Position your earring face down. Soak a q-tip in adhesive remover and daub where the back of the earring and the clip-on are connected. Allow the earring to sit for 10 minutes to soften or dissolve the adhesive.
-
2
Hold your earring in one hand and use needle nose pliers in your other hand to try to pry the clip-on off. Many older earrings will separate easily.
-
-
3
Saw the clip-on off if your earring has been re-glued at some point or if it will not pull away from the backing. A jeweler's saw has a very thin, small blade that breaks easily. Clamp your earring in a padded vise and saw carefully between the clip-on and the backing.
-
4
Sand the back of your earring to remove any residual glues. Apply E6000 jeweler's glue to afix new pierced earring posts to the back of the vintage setting
-
1
Tips & Warnings
To replace a screw-on back, cut it off at the setting and glue on hook-shaped wires.
