I think if it has to do with the tension of the clip then I believe that you can. In
@BigAkoya post, I believe that she has the clip set at a certain distance in the resting state and her tension adjusted. My SA was very specific with me in asking when I found the earrings to be uncomfortable, immediately or later and how long later. After 30 minutes I told him that I find my earrings to be uncomfortable, he said that would be a minimal reduction in the tension set and start from there, adjusting further if needed. I think when the post is soldered, moving it in the other spot or getting it changed to a longer one may be less feasible but I assume not completely impossible. I had frivole minis with a fixed post which somehow got thinned since it felt too large for my piercings. I just got an email that they are done, 1 1/2 weeks turnaround time for the adjustment and 3 weeks for the other. I agree with her assessment that they really want the earrings to be comfortable because they know that you will buy more. My SA knows that if I find these clips comfortable, I plan to buy 2 more. I am really picky about my earrings and I don’t like to notice them on. If I do, I find that I never reach for them.
Hi
@A bottle of Red !
@Hiker4life is correct that even if the post is soldered, you can easily adjust the tension. The tension adjustment is adjusted through the hinge which is the part that opens and closes.
What you cannot do once the post is soldered is:
- Move the post up or down between the two holes
- Change the post thickness
- Lengthen the post (The post can still be shortened as the jeweler can just file down the soldered post to shorten).
If the post is soldered and you want to change the post thickness or lengthen the post using the same hole...
The jeweler will need to first remove the current post. This means the jeweler needs to clip off the current post, drill a hole again, and put in a new post (e.g. thinner or longer). Since the jeweler is creating a new hole, you can decide if you want the post soldered again or if you want the jeweler to put it back to the original threaded screw post design.
If the post is soldered and you want to move the post to the other hole, it's as bit more steps...
The jeweler will need to clip off the current post. For the new post in the new hole, you can decide if you want to solder the new post or use a threaded screw post. If you want to use the the threaded screw post which is the original design, the jeweler can simply screw it in as the integrity of the threads in other hole is intact for the post to be screwed in.
However... note that the original hole where the soldered post used to be is now closed. The jeweler will most likely just buff it to smooth/polish the surface. This means though your earring back will now have only one hole vs. the original standard of two holes. Hence, it will look a bit off aesthetically, so think if that will bug you (yes, it would bug me as I am all about keeping things pure.
).
Also...
If you ever want to resell, some buyers may think it's not an authentic earring even though there is paperwork. Or, they may think the earring has been altered too much and may just pass. In this case, you could ask the jeweler to re-create the original hole for aesthetics (it's just a an easy drill to get a screw hole). If you decided to solder your new post again, this would be for aesthetics only as the buyer cannot actually move the posts given it's soldered. So... you have to ask why even do it if the hole is not functional. However, if you decided to use the original threaded screw post, then yes, the buyer could move the posts to the other hole.
But..
If you are even thinking resell, why even solder the post to begin with? A soldered post will for sure turn some buyers away because their ears may not work with the height, post thickness, or length of the current soldered post.
I am probably way over detailing, but I do want to share my thoughts...
To solder or not...
It's 100% what a person feels comfortable with. The decision to solder is more than just the "safety" aspect.
One should also consider the aesthetic and resell aspects, especially if you are the type of person who resells your pieces.
For me...I buy jewelry for my own enjoyment so I never think about resell. However, a top priority of mine is to have the piece stay true to the original design. As I mentioned earlier, I'm a purist. Hence, I do not like to do extra ajustments to alter the design. My posts are not soldered.
Again though, it's 100% preference based on your priorities as to why you want to solder or not.
Just my two cents. Hope this helps.
ETA: I want to add... if you live in NYC or can visit there and need your earring tension adjusted often, it would be worth it to go to VCA NYC to get them "measured" using the micrometer tool I mentioned in an earlier post. This way, when you buy new earrings, your SA can write down the exact tension spacing (in mms) needed for adjustment so there's no back and forth. The tool may now be in other cities, so check with your local SA first before taking the hike to NYC (I don't live near a VCA).
I love mine! It goes with everything. Just have to remember to be a little more careful with it.
