Features and Benefits
The main advantage of cuffs is the ease of attachment, thanks to which it is not necessary to pierce the earlobe to put on the jewelry. Often these ear accessories are confused with clips, which are also worn without piercings.
But cuffs have distinctive advantages:
- They hold better thanks to the fastening that covers the entire ear. If the jewelry is worn correctly, it will not cause discomfort when worn.
- The fastening does not exert pressure due to the even distribution of the weight of the earrings throughout the ear.
- Heavy, massive jewelry will not spoil or pull down the earlobe, since the weight is not concentrated in one area of the ear.
- The fastening not only helps to securely fasten the jewelry, but also puts emphasis on the entire ear. And some models decorate their hair, temples, and neck.
Cuff earrings may differ in the method of fastening:
- The most convenient one is with the help of a bow behind the ear (you can choose a suitable option depending on the structure of your ears).
- The simplest one is using a clamp. Such models do not require a piercing in the earlobe; they are attached to the upper or middle part of the ear. The fastening consists of special cuff rings, which allows you to wear earrings at any age.
- The most reliable is using a bow behind the ear, simultaneously with a puncture for the lobe. The stud earring fits into the hole of the earlobe, and the top of the earrings rests on the top of the ear. Double fastening allows you to more securely fix the earring on your ear.
Cuffs in everyday life
The popularity of cuffs is due to their unusual design, and the light weight is evenly distributed throughout the ear, making wearing such earrings quite comfortable. These decorations open the way for a wide variety of fashion experiments. If you want to appear with them at a party or in a social gathering, wear ear cuffs with sparkling rhinestones. If you prefer the Gothic style or other fashion trends, choose the appropriate version of this jewelry with decorative chains.
Elegant and discreet models that at the same time decorate a woman, you can easily wear every day to work. Choose jewelry for every day - they will be able to reflect your mood and add originality. In order to be changeable and different every day, it is not at all necessary to spend money on changing your wardrobe - it is enough to change just one detail. Cuffs will look appropriate on both a young lady and a respectable lady of respectable age - they do not look vulgar, but remain very unusual.
As for the variations of cuffs, there are a huge number of them. It all depends on the imagination of the manufacturing companies or craftsmen who make these jewelry by hand. You can see people wearing ear cuffs everywhere - in the corridors of schools and universities, on red carpets, at fashion shows, while traveling or in company offices.
Pay attention to the conditions under which you will wear this type of jewelry. So, if you purchased an original model of earrings, then it is better to make sure that they are visible to others. If you have long hair, it is better to tie it up.
Everything for making cuffs
Our online store offers a range of accessories for cuffs. On our website you can purchase accessories for jewelry, which will subsequently allow you to create original cuffs. There can be many ideas for their forms. Masters offer such incredible patterns that are very difficult to repeat later. This ensures the uniqueness and originality of the product. If you want to assemble your own cuffs, we recommend starting with a simple universal mount, which can be purchased in the cuff basics section of our online store.
Kinds
Earrings have gained recognition among various representatives of subcultures, due to their variety of types. Designers and fashion designers have developed many types of these earrings. Each one is distinguished by its originality of ornament; it can be decorated with stones, flowers and is made of various metals.
When choosing cuffs, it is advisable to give preference to noble metals and stones. This decoration will retain its appearance longer.
Pearl models will help you create a strict, discreet style. For business and office looks, cuffs in the style of minimalism in the form of miniature clips have been developed. There are also spectacular images that decorate the ear and hair with a chain at the same time. You can also find ear cuffs in the form of images of various animals: birds, snakes, butterflies, lizards and others.
Among punks, rockers, and goths, ear cuffs are popular in the form of spikes, skulls, and crosses. Representatives of ethnic subcultures choose in the form of elf ears, plants, insects.
Feather ear cuffs were created in the likeness of Indian culture. These earrings are more often used in ethnic outfits. Not only women, but also men showed interest in ear cuffs. The ease of use without the need for ear piercing was immediately appreciated.
Cuff decorated with beads
To make the idea of creating a cuff successful for you, you may need special tools - round nose pliers, 1 millimeter thick wire, several beads and wire cutters. Be patient and do all the manipulations to create a cuff very slowly without rushing anywhere, you will definitely succeed.
Thread the bead onto a pre-prepared wire, then you need to use special round-nose pliers, carefully bend the end of the wire into a small ring with a diameter of 7 millimeters, you can bend the tip one more time so that you end up with a small curl.
Then you need to attach the wire to the ruler and measure 1.5 centimeters from the curl itself, make a bend, carefully drawing the wire parallel to the part that has the curl. From the curl itself, you need to set aside the same number of centimeters, after which you need to bend the wire in the other direction.
This way you have prepared a place for the clamp. You must pay attention to the point that the wire should never break during operation.
Then you need to make several more of the same wave-like bends, but they should be of shorter length. Bring the bead to this place and secure it with wire. To prevent the bead from moving, carefully cut the wire.
The place where you set aside 1.5 centimeters on all sides of the curl, you need to bend the wire in the form of a paw inward, so that as a result you get a clip that you will attach to your ear in the future. Your cuff is completely ready! This is a very simple cuff that you won't have to work too hard on. It is advisable to make yourself two of these decorations at once.
Product material
Cuff earrings can be made of any metal. Ideally they will help to emphasize the luxury of jewelry, status, and brightness of the owner of a cuff made of gold, silver or platinum. Due to their composition, such jewelry can be stored for many years, cannot be changed, and does not cause allergies to alloys made from costume jewelry.
Material | Advantages | Flaws | |
Base metals | Jewelry steel | Combine with silver or gold jewelry. Low price. Suitable for any age. | The composition should not contain lead or nickel, which is hazardous to health. |
Gold plated jewelry alloy | Gold plating | Spraying helps protect against environmental influences. The cost of such earrings is much lower, but they look no less beautiful. | Limited service life. Time, frequency of use, and the thickness of gold applied can lead to wear, dullness, and oxidation. |
Electroplating | Coating one metal with another metal using electric current | Protects jewelry from mechanical influences, corrosion and preserves its beauty. Maintains service life longer | The service life of the cuffs will depend on the thickness of the coated layer. |
Who is it suitable for?
In order not to make a mistake in your choice, you definitely need to try it on and understand how, with the help of jewelry, you can emphasize the advantages and hide the disadvantages. You need to choose such jewelry not only based on social status, you also need to take into account the traditional way of life of a person.
How well cafs fit depends on your face shape. Any type of jewelry is suitable for an oval face. You should take a closer look at choosing ear cuffs for people with square or triangular faces. It is better to choose models for the earlobe. Long and voluminous ones can emphasize the angularity of face shapes.
It is recommended to choose cuffs with special structures of the face and neck with caution. In this case, it is better to choose discreet jewelry without drawing much attention to these parts of the body. They will stand out unfavorably against the background of the heads of miniature persons. Massive jewelry is suitable for those with large facial features.
It is also beneficial to choose earring cuffs by color. All shades of blue, purple, gold and orange are suitable for blue-eyed people. Malachite, turquoise and garnet colors will look beautiful with green and gray eyes. For dark eyes, earrings decorated with pearls, amber and rock crystal are suitable.
There is no need to choose ear cuffs that are similar in hair color, this way the earrings will remain invisible and will not have the desired effect. It is not necessary for children to undergo a painful procedure of piercing their ears. Bright, original decorations are suitable for children of any age. For older people, it is advisable to choose products made from precious metals and stones.
Which ear to wear kafas on?
There is no strict rule in choosing an ear for this accessory. Basically, ear cuffs are created for one ear. Manufacturers often create universal models that will fit the right or left ear. For those who are not ready for such a “zest” in the image, paired cuffs are produced.
It is advisable to wear large, voluminous models on only one ear. In exceptional cases, for special occasions, you can wear a pair model. For lovers of asymmetry, you can wear a discreet stud earring on the other ear. This image will not look best on ears with pronounced asymmetry.
Small cuffs look more modest; they can be worn on both ears or combined with regular earrings.
Most men, in order to avoid notoriety, do not dare to wear such decoration. However, those who use cuffs try to keep track of which ear is best to use. An earring in the right ear means gay, and an earring in the left is considered a sign of style. And earrings in both ears can indicate bisexuality. But more often this also refers to complementing the image.
How cuffs appeared, history and development
The first prototypes of modern ear cuffs were found during excavations. Jewelry similar to cuffs has been found on the bodies of people who lived 2300 BC. The fact that cuffs were worn in ancient times is also evidenced by modern film adaptations. So, in many historical feature films, characters wear these wonderful jewelry on their ears. It should be noted that over a long period of history they have not changed much - the fastening methods used then are still relevant now.
In modern years, cuffs began to gain popularity in the 50s. Already in the 60s of the 20th century, these jewelry became a full-fledged attribute in the bohemian social circle. In our century, both show business stars and ordinary people wear cuffs. Therefore, the question of what cuffs are and how to wear them began to be addressed much less frequently - this fashion accessory has become known to all people. Even amateurs can make it using wire or other accessories.
What hairstyle to wear
The purpose of decoration is to highlight and attract the attention of others. Therefore, these earrings are designed for short haircuts. There is no need to worry about styling. It is enough to choose a decoration for the occasion.
It is advisable to wear long hair in any high hairstyle to open up the ears and face. Gathered in a ponytail or a shell, the jewelry will be clearly visible and there will be no tangles in the hair. Voluminous and bright earrings will look great with a strict hairstyle.
For everyday wear, where you need to comply with a dress code, it is advisable to choose discreet options or symmetrical cuffs. Earrings with patterns or braiding will create a romantic look with a French braid hairstyle.
If you choose an image with loose hair, then it would be more correct to collect the hair behind the ear to one side. It is better to do this with the help of special styling products. With such a hairstyle, cuffs of an asymmetrical model will look impressive. Cafes that are attached on one side to the ear and on the other side with a comb to the hair will look original.
What clothes to wear with kafas
Stylists advise carefully thinking through your look before purchasing an unusual accessory. Cuffs can emphasize the uniqueness of the style or, on the contrary, create a sign of bad taste for the owner. And when choosing these jewelry, it is advisable to avoid large bracelets or necklaces, so as not to “overload” the image.
Cuff earrings with precious stones, massive and voluminous, are ideal for evening wear. Pendants with feathers, rhinestones, and chains will add a little glamor to your cocktail outfit. In a business style and with classic clothes, cuffs can also be appropriate. To do this, just choose small-sized earrings with discreet decorations made of silver.
Skulls, spiders, snakes or dragons made of metal will suit brutal images. Leather outfits and clothes in black tones will complement the look.
Cuffs are suitable for use in everyday life. Depending on your mood, it is better to choose models made of base metals. The creators tried to diversify the shapes and types to brighten up everyday life.
In the cold season, when wearing a sweater, scarf or hood, it is recommended to wear cuffs with a combined fastening. It is worth abandoning such decoration in places of increased activity. For example, in nightclubs or gyms there is a risk of losing jewelry. Also, with careless movements, the ear cuffs can get caught or damage part of the ear.
DIY cuff combination clasp
Some products combine several types of fastening. The decoration becomes massive - it allows you to decorate the entire ear. In addition to the types already listed, you can add a standard mount for earrings here. There are also additional pendants on long chains in the form of small combs or hairpins that can be woven into the hair.
It is quite difficult to classify cuff earrings by appearance or style because they can be combined with almost any look. Moreover, you can make the kind of decoration with your own hands that you want.
And it should still be noted that fantasy lovers really like this type of ear decoration - for example, they can be an excellent addition to a themed necklace made of beads, woven by hand.
How to wear
Thanks to simple metals, the earrings are easy to put on and bend. The cuffs allow you to attach them to any part of the ear, bend easily and are comfortable to wear both on the top and in the middle of the ear. It is recommended to wear heavy earrings before a long event to avoid fatigue.
You only need to fold the decoration once:
- With the help of a bow , this mount is not noticeable to others. It looks like the earring is glued to the ear. A special hook-arc allows you to attach the jewelry to any ear structure. This type of earrings should be put on from the earlobe, lift the jewelry up and secure the clip to the cartilage.
- Using a clip - this type does not require ear piercing; the earrings hold securely both on the top of the ear and in the middle. In order to find the optimal position, you can slightly bend the earring wider. Once a comfortable position is found, you need to squeeze the ring. In this case, the ear cuff should not press or fall off the ear. To remove it, you need to carefully remove it from the cartilage without unbending it.
- Using a combined fastening - such ear cuffs are secured in the hole of the earlobe using an additional fastening - “nails”, then placed behind the ear and placed in the optimal position.
The variety of models allows you to wear these jewelry for almost any event. It also wouldn’t hurt to wear a hat, beret, voluminous scarf, glasses or headphones, but it’s better to choose models with reliable fastenings. However, you should not choose models that the cuffs can get caught on. Wearing these earrings is like putting your hair behind your ear.
To make sure the fastening is secure, just shake your head. It is recommended to remove jewelry before going to bed or before playing sports to avoid damage to the skin or breakage of the jewelry. For long-term use of cuffs, it is better to protect them from contact with water and store them in a box.
What types of cuff fastening exist?
Cuffs do not always have the fastening described above and other types are also found:
- Clip at the top of the sink and a classic nail;
- A ring mount that completely surrounds the ear, which can have a classic stud or go without it;
- The fastening is a chain that is fixed on the hair.
Interesting models
The ear cuffs themselves add originality to the look. And if they are done unusually, they immediately become a trend.
Famous jewelry brands create unique jewelry for true fashionistas:
- Astrological cuffs from Louis Vuitton. Each zodiac sign is included in. The original LV & ME series from the Fortune Earrings collection are made of thin gold wire. Of all the models, the most original is the sign of Aquarius, which consists of flowing chains descending from the curl of the cuff. This is how streams of water were depicted.
- Betsey Johnson created jewelry in the form of kisses, animals and flowers, which emphasize natural femininity and add lightness to the image. Also, these models are chosen by extravagant women who are not afraid to attract attention.
- Minimalism from Dior. Jewelry in the form of 2 balls, made of gold plated, crystals and semi-precious stones, looks elegant and rich.
- Wedding collection from Oscar De La Renta. They released earrings that decorate the entire ear in the form of branches, studded with stones of various colors and stars. Each cuff comes complete with a stud earring for the other ear.
- Givenchy presented huge cafes decorated with rhinestones. Such massive jewelry resembles the size of compact discs. Thanks to the lightness of these jewelry, the earlobe does not pull back.
- Lanvin presented a collection of cuffs for men, made in a simple style, secured with a clip on a chain.
- Balenciaga created huge earrings in the form of snowflakes, large pearls and stars, attached behind the ear.
- Yoko London - this brand creates handmade earrings in the shape of pearls. Each piece of jewelry is created by hand, which is why the work can take more than a year.
- Elise Dray - they create designer cuffs from all shades of gold with various additions in the form of diamonds, sapphires and other precious stones. The models are easy to read mystical, historical and modern models.
How to do it yourself, master class
Externally, the design of cuffs may seem complicated, but this is a deceptive feeling and making them yourself is not difficult. You can make earrings from scrap materials and even from paper clips, since the thickness of such wire allows you to create jewelry, and you may not have special wire at hand.
Earring cuffs are designed in advance. The model is determined and on which ear they plan to wear it, since for some categories of people this is an important point. It is also recommended to start with simple models, since massive models are more difficult to make. Molds consisting of two layers of wire can complicate the creation process. The wire should not break anywhere.
To create, you will need materials for every taste: wire, beads, chains, feathers, pendants. Original jewelry will be created from them. Tools that will be useful are round nose pliers and pliers. With their help, the wire will be bent and cut, and loops will be created. To create a rounded shape, you can use a pen, pencil, or any round object that allows you to wrap the wire around it.
Wire cuffs
To make it you will need 13-15 cm of wire, pliers and a handle.
- Cut the required length of wire and make a loop at one end using pliers.
- Bend the wire in a zigzag pattern twice.
- Make a curl at the free end of the wire.
- Wrap the cuff around the handle.
- Make a small ring from the wire and secure it to a small curl.
Cuffs with beads
You will need 18 cm of wire, beads and pliers.
- Cut the wire, bend 5 cm and press it to the main part.
- Bend the wire again by 3 cm, forming a zigzag. On one side the zigzag protrudes by 2 cm, and on the other side by 10 cm.
- Find the middle of the zigzag and wrap the long part of the wire in 3-4 tight turns.
- Bend the short part at an angle of 45 degrees to the opposite side.
- Repeat the fold on the opposite side.
Step-by-step making of cuff earrings with your own hands.
- Place beads on both sides and make a ring on the short part of the wire.
- Bend the long part in a zigzag, the sides should be equal in size to the beads.
- Place more beads on the top of the resulting zigzag.
- Finish the zigzag with a ring made using pliers.
- Bend the free ends with a pen or pencil.
Cuffs with feathers
Prepare materials: thick wire 15 cm and thin wire, beads, 1 large feather and small feathers, chain, superglue, 5 rings for jewelry. Tools you will need: round nose pliers and pliers.
- bend the wire into the shape of an ear;
- bend the edges into rings;
- attach rings with thin wire;
- drop glue onto a large feather and attach a smaller feather to it;
- take 5 cm of thin wire and bend it into a loop at one end;
- wrap the second end of the wire around the feathers where they are glued together;
- Make 10 pieces of thin wire, each 7 cm long;
- make a loop, put on a bead, thread the last link of the chain and bend the wire;
- from the rest, do the same for the base of the feathers.
Cuffs made of polymer clay or plastic
Products made of plastic help the product remain flexible and when using these earrings, the attachment to the ear is adjustable. For this you will need: wire, black plastic, gray eye shadow and varnish.
- Fit the frame of the dragon's body and wing to the ear.
- Use plastic to mold the body frame and the wing frame.
- Connect the body and wing.
- Using a needle, cut out small parts to form a wing and fragments of the dragon.
- Using shadows, add color and shine to the future product.
- Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
- Cover with varnish.
Thus, thanks to imagination, every woman will be able to create her own unique style with the help of cuff earrings.
Author: Rita Aleksandrovskaya
DIY paperclip decoration
Making ear cuff earrings is actually very simple - you don’t even have to master any special creative techniques or types of needlework. Expensive materials are also not needed - an ordinary paper clip will be enough!
- Prepare a standard-sized paper clip in the color you like best - now they make yellow, red, blue, and striped.
- Wrap the edges of the blank around a writing pen or pencil with a smooth surface. Your DIY decoration is ready!
Try the cuff earrings on your ears and adjust the size with finger pressure. Make several of these blanks in different colors at once - you can change them for different looks or wear several at a time, creating a fun rainbow effect.
The second version of the product is more delicate, but it is somewhat more complicated - to perform it you will need pliers. It’s better to take a colorless paperclip and paint it in the desired color when you’re done—the paint may crumble during the process of bending the material.
- Place the paperclip in front of you so that its inner coil is facing down and the outer end of the wire is on the right side - bend it about 45 degrees.
- Approximately the same angle needs to be made using the next straight segment.
- Bend the outer end in the opposite direction.
- Following the instructions, use pliers to form a beautiful piece with curls around the edges and long rounded “handles.”
- Bend the “handles”, giving them the shape of a ring, but not all the way, so that the wire jewelry can be placed on the ear.
The finished cuff earrings resemble a cute little snake wrapped around your ear.
The wire from which paper clips are made is similar to that which is sold in creative stores specifically for creating such things - and the cost of a set of stationery is several times less than one coil of wire.
These two master classes will help beginning needlewomen practice working with wire and understand whether they like making jewelry with their own hands, without spending money on expensive accessories and materials.