Astra Clip-on Earrings Question

queen0ftheang3ls

queen0ftheang3ls

Registered Guest
Hello all!

So let me preface this post by saying that while I know next to nothing about vintage jewelry, I have zero resistance against sparkly and shiny things. Hence, these earrings.

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I picked them up at a thrift store about a week ago because they were blinging like the dickens. I thought that since I got them for super cheap, I would have them converted to a pierced back and end up with a great, wearable pair of sparkly earrings. Once I got them home, though, I realized they were stamped "Astra" on the back - I did a little research on the internet, and apparently Astra was a line by Joseph Wiesner in the 50s. They're not worth a fortune, but it would appear they at least have some collectible value. Here's the backs, with the Astra stamp (it's on the backs of both pieces, but for some reason it only showed up on one in the pic):

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Well, no problem, I think. I can wear a pair of clip-on earrings, and that way I don't have to get rid of the Astra mark. Except - the clips are tight. TIGHT tight. "Ouch, my earlobes" tight. I'm all for the whole "no beauty without a little pain" maxim, but holy cats - not this much!

So, does anyone have any suggestions on how to loosen them up so that they're wearable? Or, am I just wasting my time trying to preserve the hallmark, and should just have them converted to pierced backs?

Like I said, I have really limited knowledge of vintage jewelry, but I know there are some folks on here who are experts. Any advice would be appreciated!

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I think you can buy little soft pads that may help with the tightness. Other than that I would probably take them to a jeweler. But then again I have no experience with this kind of thing. Maybe someone else here has tackled this problem.

Beautiful earrings!
 
Originally posted by Linn
and when they get tight I take them off for a few minutes.
Click to expand...

oh, you're a brave one! if i do that, i get the same sort of reaction from my ear as i do if a take off a pair of (too tight) shoes

can't get em back on after takin em off...:rolleyes:
 
Thanks for all the replies!

Linn, thanks especially for the link to the Comfee Key - looks like a handy thing to have.

I thought I'd be brave and try to wear them to work yesterday; I only lasted for five minutes! Didn't even make it out the front door with them :P

Trell, I haven't decided if I'm going to sell these just yet! At any rate, I'm not a trade member with the VFG, so I don't think I'm allowed to advertise where I sell on here. If I decide to sell them, though, I'll be sure to send you a U2U and let you know! They really are gorgeous.
 
Gorgeous earrings! You could try the pads, and/or the Comfee Key--which I've never heard of but which sounds like a fabulous thing to have. These look as if they weren't worn much at all, and you may find that with wearing them often for short periods, they will "loosen" up a bit.
 
Okay, so I just ordered my Comfee Key! Hopefully it won't take too long to get here. I'll let you all know how it works when I get it.

Anne, I agree that they really haven't been worn much. The goldtone finish, etc., are all in beautiful condition. Only two of the little round rhinestones are missing on one of the earrings. Even then, the finish is still intact and super shiny where they were, so you can't hardly tell they're missing at all!
 
If you decided you would want to replace those rhinestones, and don't have any you can take out of a damaged piece that match, there's a guy who does replacement rhinestones on vintage & antique jewelry, and he's very reasonable, with fast turnaround. Can't rememember his website, but his name is Matthew Ribarick, and I think other folks here have used him.
 
Matthew's site is www.mrstones.com. The stones in your piece are aurora borealis. If you can measure them and determine what size you need, you can order the missing stones and some glue and fix them yourself. I do this type of repair, also, but since I'm in Hawaii, it might be more reasonable to send it to someone closer. Another person who does good repairs is Steph at www.prettysnazzy.com She sells replacement stones, too. Stone sizes are measured with a millimeter gauge.

Linn
 
Linn and Anne, thanks for the info and links! I'm going to look into having the stones replaced. I also have a few non-vintage pieces with missing rhinestones here and there (I was serious about the "no resistance to sparklies" thing!), so I'll have to see about getting replacements or having them repaired, too.
 
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