Thread Earrings

Shop thread earrings in rhodium-plated sterling silver, 14K gold-filled, or 18K gold-plated sterling silver. Styles include fine chains with bar ends, plus gemstone and charm options with round pearl, biwa pearl, amazonite, and motifs like circles, seashells, and starfish. Lengths range from 10 mm total length up to 25 mm front drop and 37 mm total length. Prices range from $39 to $109, with free shipping Australia-wide on orders over $129. Need help deciding? Get in touch at info@bowerbirdjewels.com.au.

FAQs

What are threader earrings?

Threader earrings are earrings with a fine chain or bar that you pull through a piercing instead of using a traditional post-and-butterfly or hinged hoop closure. The chain is designed to sit in place using balance and tension. In this collection, lengths range from a 10 mm minimum total length up to 25 mm visible at the front, with up to 37 mm total length.

What is the difference between threader earrings and chain earrings?

Threader earrings are a type of chain earring that must be pulled through the piercing to wear. Chain earrings is a broader category that can include stud-and-chain styles, chain drops with standard backs, or designs where the chain is decorative rather than the fastening method.

Can threader earrings be threaded through more than one piercing?

Yes, threaders can be worn through more than one healed piercing if the chain length allows it and the spacing feels comfortable. You can loop the chain through a second hole to change the drop length or create a draped look. Avoid forcing the chain through tight or irritated piercings.

When are threader earrings a bad idea?

Threader earrings are not a good choice for fresh piercings, irritated piercings, or situations where snagging is likely. If you are handling babies, brushing long hair, wearing high-neck knits, or putting on scarves, threaders can catch and pull. They are also best removed before sleep, sport, and any activity where the chain can be tugged.

What is the “cheese cutter effect”, and can it happen with threader earrings?

The “cheese cutter effect” is when very thin jewellery acts like a wire under tension and gradually cuts or stretches the piercing channel, especially if it is pulled, snagged, or worn in fragile tissue. It can happen with fine-gauge earrings, including threaders, because the chain is slender. To reduce risk, only wear threaders in fully healed piercings, avoid sleeping in them, remove them for activities that snag, and stop wearing them if you notice soreness, elongation of the hole, or the earring sitting lower than it used to.