You pull on your earring, it resists, your earlobe starts to burn and you feel panic rising? Don't worry, a stuck butterfly clasp (push-back) is common but easy to fix.
Warning : Do not pull it out suddenly! You risk injuring your earlobe.
⚡ Quick Summary: How to unjam a stuck clasp?
Disinfect Wash your hands and clean the sore earlobe.
Lubricate Apply a generous amount of oil (olive, almond) or petroleum jelly to the back of the clasp and the stem.
Turn : Rotate the clasp on itself (like a screw) while gently pulling backwards.
Massage Pinch the lobe lightly to help it pass through.
Why is my butterfly clasp stuck?
Understanding the cause will prevent this from happening again.
1. Fouling (Most frequent)
Soap, shampoo, and sebum accumulate between the post and the clasp, creating a natural "glue" that bonds the parts together. This is common if you leave your earrings on in the shower.
2. Oxidation (A sign of poor quality)
If your clasps are not 18k gold, they will oxidize. Verdigris or rust causes the metal to swell, seizing up the mechanism.
3. Deformation
A bent stem while sleeping or a butterfly accidentally crushed can block the mechanical system.
The Step-by-Step Method for Removing a Stuck Clasp
Here is the workshop technique for gently removing the clasp.
Step 1: Hygiene and Preparation
Wash your hands. If your ear is red or infected, disinfect the area. Sit in front of a well-lit mirror.
Step 2: Lubrication (The Key Tip)
That's the secret. You have to reduce friction.
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Products: Oil, Vaseline, Liquid soap.
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Action : Massage the back of the lobe and the visible shaft. Leave on for 1 minute to allow the product to penetrate the mechanism.
Step 3: The Technical Movement (Rotation + Pulling)
Don't shoot straight ahead!
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Hold the front of the earring firmly.
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Grasp the butterfly clasp.
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Turn it over on itself (as if unscrewing) while gently pulling backwards.
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Rotation breaks the adhesion of dirt or oxidation.
Still Not Working? Emergency Solutions
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Ask for help: A third person will have a better angle and more controlled force.
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The Pliers (With care): If your fingers slip, use tweezers to grasp the butterfly loops. Be careful not to pinch the skin!
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The Warm Bath: Soak the ear in warm soapy water for 5 minutes to soften the residue.
If the lobe is very swollen, painful or purulent, stop forcing it and consult a doctor.
After Removal: Should This Clasp Be Thrown Away?
Once freed, examine the culprit.
❌ Discard immediately if:
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There are green or black traces ( Oxidation It's low-grade metal that will cause allergies.
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It is twisted or crushed.
✅ The Sustainable Solution: 18-Carat Gold Clasps
To avoid ever experiencing this stress again, the solution is simple: the quality of the metal.
Why does 18 Carat (750) Gold never seize up?
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Stainless steel: It doesn't rust or turn verdigris. The mechanism stays clean.
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Hypoallergenic: No infection that causes the lobe to swell and jams the jewelry.
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Solid : The butterfly spring retains its shape without deforming.
It's a small investment (around €90 a pair) that saves your ears and your favorite earrings.
Don't risk getting stuck anymore.
💎 Replace your questionable fasteners with our certified 18k gold butterfly clasps