If you’ve ever gone down the earring rabbit hole on Instagram or TikTok, you’ve probably seen flat back earrings pop up. They look sleek. They promise comfort. They get hyped as “better” for sensitive ears. But here’s the truth — I don’t make them, and there are a lot of good reasons why.
At Favor Jewelry, every piece is made by hand in my Portland studio using 14k gold fill and sterling silver — metals chosen for their quality, longevity, and beauty. And when it comes to earring backs, I stand by the classics: traditional butterfly backs. Here’s why.
1. Comfort You’ll Forget About
Metal backs are perfectly comfortable. Yes, they might feel “there” for a day or two, but after that? You’ll forget you’re even wearing them. No sharp edges, no constant poking — just secure comfort that blends into your day.
2. Security You Can Trust
Traditional metal backs are not only secure, they’re also easier to put on than flat backs. Push pin flat backs? They don’t lock, they just use friction. Which means you can lose the front of the earring (you know, the most valuable part). Screw-in styles are more secure, but they’re fiddly and annoying if you ever want to change up what you're wearing.
It's true that over time a butterfly back can loosen a bit—but if it ever slips, you lose the back, not the front of the earring (the part you actually care about!). For extra peace of mind, we also offer small rubber backs that fit over the post for a little extra hold.
3. Materials That Align With My Values
Here’s the big one: there’s no way to make flat backs in 14k gold fill or sterling silver. They just don’t exist in the supply chain, and custom-making them would require specialized machinery that’s far from handmade. The only options are:
- Titanium (great for hypoallergenic needs, but it doesn’t match the warm gold or bright silver I use)
- Solid 14k Gold (beautiful, but at over $3,000 an ounce, not exactly budget-friendly)
- Plated Gold (bad for the environment, bad for longevity — I’ll be writing a full post about this soon)
There’s a reason I use 14k gold fill — it’s durable, high-quality, and far more sustainable than plating.
4. Handmade Means I Make It
If I can’t make it in my own hands, I have to outsource it to a factory. Screw-back flat back earrings require specialized manufacturing and the factories that have those machines are overseas, which can mean unregulated labor standards, shipping delays, tariffs, and less control over the final product. That’s not what Favor is about. I want every piece to come directly from my studio to you without middlemen or no compromises.
The bottom line? Flat backs might promise ease, but traditional metal backs win in comfort, security, quality, and values every time. They’re part of why Favor Jewelry pieces are made to be worn — and loved — for years.