How to Convert Vintage Clip-Ons to Pierced Earrings
The clips on vintage clip-on earrings come in two basic types: the flat-back clip-on and the screw-back clip-on. Both of these earring types are designed for women who don't have pierced ears. The flat-back clip-on catches the earlobe in a small clamp, while the screw-back tightens onto the earlobe by means of a little screw. Removing the clamps and screws is often quite easy, and repurposing the jewelry with modern pierced-ear fittings is inexpensive and simple.
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Things You'll Need
- Clip-on earrings
- Cotton swab
- Adhesive remover
- Needle-nose pliers
- Wire cutters
- Sandpaper
- E6000 jewelry glue
- Pierced earring ear posts
Instructions
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1
Soak a cotton swab in adhesive remover and daub the liquid along the edges of the clip-on attachment on the back side of the vintage earring. Leave the earring, face down, for 10 minutes to allow the remover to loosen the old glue.
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2
Hold the earring in one hand and grip the clip-on attachment using needle-nose pliers. Firmly twist and pull the clip-on to see if it will release. Be careful not to pull hard enough to bend the back of the earring. If the edge of the clip-on lifts, try to peel it away. Often the clip-on will dislodge easily.
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3
Open the wire cutters if the clip-on did not dislodge. Place the opened jaws of the wire cutters on either side of the clip-on where it attaches to the back of the earring. Catch the clip-on in the jaws of the cutter and slowly close the jaws. You can often break loose the connection this way. However if it still has not broken loose, see if any area of the clip-on lifts at all and daub more adhesive remover in the gap, let it sit another 10 minutes and try your pliers again.
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4
Clean the back of the earring with a bit of sandpaper once the clip-on attachment is removed. This will scuff up the back of the earring a bit and allow the adhesive to stick better.
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5
Apply a bead of E6000 jewelry glue to the back of a pierced earring ear post, sometimes called an ear stud, and press the mount of the ear post against the back of the earring. Center the ear post. Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours before wearing the earring.
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Tips & Warnings
Snip the hook wire on flip-out or screw-back earrings. Sand any rough spot and glue your new back into position.
