Changing posts on antique earrings

[mixer_star]

Hello. I need some help with some antique earrings. These earrings have shorter, thicker posts than I am used to, with la poussette backs. They're platinum.

Will changing the posts on them change their value? In really thinking a longer post with an oversize push on back would make them so much easier to wear. Is this a good idea? The posts and backs on there now make my ears hurt to the point of bleeding.

For the stat nerds (like me), the drops are about 1.65ct each, VS, I color, old European. Another carat in the rest of the earrings. The only hallmarks I can find are on the backs, which say France and a few things I can't read with my loupe.

Any help would be appreciated. I have never had a piece altered before and I'm nervous!

 

[missy]

Lovely earrings
You want them to be comfortable to wear so even if it does change the value I don’t see an alternative. You wrote your ears bleed. That’s not OK. My suggestion is to find an experienced bench person to do this for you to preserve the earrings as carefully as possible. Where are you located?

Some experienced bench people.

CJD Sako

https://instagram.com/cjd_sako?igshid=ijt5liustu5

Adam from OWD has a great bench person for antique pieces too.

https://instagram.com/oldworlddiamonds?igshid=zahz7sr4nxhc

 

[JPie]

La Pousette backs couldn’t be original to an antique piece because the post and backing are proprietary and rather recent inventions. As such, I’d assume that changing the posts won’t change the value.

 

[SapphireLover]

What beautiful earrings! There’s no point in them languishing in a cupboard because they are uncomfortable

 

[mixer_star]

La Pousette backs couldn’t be original to an antique piece because the post and backing are proprietary and rather recent inventions. As such, I’d assume that changing the posts won’t change the value.

Is there another name for backs that attach like La Pousette? These are definitely older (maybe not as old as the earrings, I can't read the hallmarks) and well worn, and much more ornate than the backs in seeing in internet searches. They do attach with a spring mechanism. Maybe I have the wrong term.

 

[mixer_star]

Lovely earrings
You want them to be comfortable to wear so even if it does change the value I don’t see an alternative. You wrote your ears bleed. That’s not OK. My suggestion is to find an experienced bench person to do this for you to preserve the earrings as carefully as possible. Where are you located?

Some experienced bench people.

CJD Sako

https://instagram.com/cjd_sako?igshid=ijt5liustu5

Adam from OWD has a great bench person for antique pieces too.

https://instagram.com/oldworlddiamonds?igshid=zahz7sr4nxhc

I'm in Denver, Colorado, USA. Thanks!

 

[JPie]

Is there another name for backs that attach like La Pousette? These are definitely older (maybe not as old as the earrings, I can't read the hallmarks) and well worn, and much more ornate than the backs in seeing in internet searches. They do attach with a spring mechanism. Maybe I have the wrong term.

The La Pousette style of backing only works with its corresponding proprietary post. You can’t use a La Pousette-type backing on other posts because they’re not the correct diameter with notches for the locking mechanism.

The posts are most likely a modern modification to the earrings.

Edit: La Pousette’s patent seems to be from 1985 based on a Google search. I can see from your photo that the backing is basically the same type even if it’s not the La Pousette brand. The posts are modern, not old. That’s good news because you can modify them without worrying about altering the historical nature of the piece, because someone already beat you to it.

 

[Polyhex]

The description of thick posts makes me think at least the posts are antique, but I do not believe this modification will much change the value of the earrings. It's a conservative modification which preserves the structure of the earrings, and to the average collector it would improve them, making them wearable by people without gauged piercings. These earrings are from a time period and style where there are many examples still available, so you are not threatening history to modify them.

I think you should make the modifications without guilt, and I say this as someone who DID gauge her piercings to be able to wear antique jewelry without modifying it -- the pieces I did it for are very rare and at risk of disappearing completely. That is not the case here. Enjoy them!

 

[mixer_star]

The La Pousette style of backing only works with its corresponding proprietary post. You can’t use a La Pousette-type backing on other posts because they’re not the correct diameter with notches for the locking mechanism.

The posts are most likely a modern modification to the earrings.

Edit: La Pousette’s patent seems to be from 1985 based on a Google search. I can see from your photo that the backing is basically the same type even if it’s not the La Pousette brand. The posts are modern, not old. That’s good news because you can modify them without worrying about altering the historical nature of the piece, because someone already beat you to it.

Thank you! Your advice is so appreciated!

The description of thick posts makes me think at least the posts are antique, but I do not believe this modification will much change the value of the earrings. It's a conservative modification which preserves the structure of the earrings, and to the average collector it would improve them, making them wearable by people without gauged piercings. These earrings are from a time period and style where there are many examples still available, so you are not threatening history to modify them.

I think you should make the modifications without guilt, and I say this as someone who DID gauge her piercings to be able to wear antique jewelry without modifying it -- the pieces I did it for are very rare and at risk of disappearing completely. That is not the case here. Enjoy them!

Thanks so much!

 

[snowballs mom]

I'm in Denver, Colorado, USA. Thanks!

If you find someone good in the Denver area, please let us know. I have the same problem with the Guardian posts they used in my studs. Thanks!

 

[mixer_star]

If you find someone good in the Denver area, please let us know. I have the same problem with the Guardian posts they used in my studs. Thanks!

I take my antiques to Victoriana. They send it out, so I don’t know their bench jeweler. They are very good with antique jewelry, though.

Victoriana Antique & Fine Jewelry

Specializing in fine antique jewelry ranging in eras from georgian, victorian, art nouveau, edwardian, art deco, and retro. We also supply new semi-mountings from Beverley K, and Whitehouse Brothers.

www.victorianajewelry.com