The short answer: screw backs are the most secure, and the right choice for diamonds worn daily or slept in. Push backs are the quickest to put on and suit lighter studs. Guardian backs lock without threading, which suits long nails and anyone who finds screw backs fiddly.
What is the difference between screw back, push back and guardian back?
| Screw back | Push back | Guardian back | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it holds | Threaded post; the back screws on | Friction; the back grips a notch | Locking clutch, no threads |
| Security | Highest | Adequate | High |
| Speed to put on | Slowest | Fastest | Fast |
| Long nails | Awkward | Easy | Easy |
| Safe to sleep in | Yes | Not recommended | Yes |
| Best for | 2 ct tw and above, daily wear | Lighter studs, occasional wear | Security without threads |
Which back is the most secure?
The screw back. Because the post is threaded and the back turns onto it, nothing short of unscrewing will release it. Almost every lost earring we hear about involved a push back, which is why we set screw backs as the default on anything above 2 ct tw.
Why do push backs come loose?
A push back holds by friction against a small notch in the post. That grip eases as the metal wears, and a back that has been pulled on and off daily for a year holds noticeably less well than a new one. If you wear push backs, pinch the back gently every few months to restore tension, and replace it when it slides on with no resistance at all.
Are screw backs worth the extra moment?
For anything you would be sorry to lose, yes. The trade-off is about fifteen seconds an ear. If that is the difference between wearing them every day and leaving them in a drawer, choose guardian backs instead: they lock securely and go on in a second.
Can I change the backs on studs I already own?
Within limits. A push back can be exchanged for a guardian back on the same smooth post. Converting to screw backs requires a threaded post, which means replacing the post itself. We do this at no charge for studs bought from us, and for a small fee on others.
What post thickness should studs have?
The standard is 0.8 mm, which fits a healed standard piercing. Older or stretched piercings sometimes need 1.0 mm so the stud does not tilt. If a stud has ever sat crooked no matter how you push it, post thickness rather than the setting is usually the reason.
All of our studs come with a screw back, push back or guardian back at the same price. Shop diamond studs.
