What is a lever-back earring?
A lever-back is an earring whose wire closes onto itself behind the lobe. The piece forms a single whole, with no separate back. It is a classic shape in jewelry making, chosen for an everyday pair or for a first pair of women's earrings. The lever-back earrings of the house range from the clean little ring to the model adorned with a dangle.
Silver or gold-plated lever-back earrings?
Most models are made entirely of 925 sterling silver. Several are coated with rhodium, like Adèle or Nebula, which gives the silver a brighter white. Nebula, with its platinum-tone rhodium plating, weighs a little over four grams and can be worn without a second thought. For a warm touch, the Médicis earrings come in 925 sterling silver or gold-plated with 18-karat gold, Kalista is plated in yellow gold and the Lizbeth earrings are gold-plated. A silver lever-back earring remains the easiest to match.
A plain lever-back or one with a stone?
Models without a stone go with everything. Those with a stone draw the eye toward the face. The Sissi line suspends a square faceted stone, offered in several shades, such as emerald green, Pacific blue or rose quartz. The La Pompadour line opts for black onyx or rose quartz, two stones that are easy to wear with black as well as with light tones.
How do you wear lever-back earrings every day?
A light pair can be kept on all day without a second thought. The Médicis earrings weigh less than five grams, while the bolder Nova earrings exceed sixteen grams and are best kept for an outfit where they are the only jewelry. For the office, a lever-back without a stone in rhodium-plated silver stays discreet, and in the evening a colored stone takes over. Several models have their necklace, bracelet or ring in the same line, like Sissi Rose Quartz, which also comes as a necklace and a ring, or Médicis, also found as a ring and a bangle bracelet. To put together a set without searching, see our jewelry sets.
How do you care for silver earrings?
925 sterling silver gradually tarnishes on contact with air, water and perfume, which is normal. Take off your lever-backs before the shower or the pool, put on your perfume before fastening them and store them away from moisture. Rhodium-plated models keep their shine longer but do not tolerate abrasive products. All the steps are gathered in the silver care guide.
