14kt gold became the standard choice in American fine jewelry in the early twentieth century because it balanced gold content with durability, a combination that remains unmatched to this day.
Industry Insight
The comfort back (named for what it does, nicknamed "butterfly" for its silhouette) is simply a larger clutch back with a broader grip surface that spreads earring weight across more of the earlobe. This eases the pressure of heavier styles during wear.
The Perfect Fit
Post gauge in fine jewelry is calibrated for healed piercings. Thinner gauges suit standard healed lobes and wear comfortably in long-healed piercings, while slightly heavier gauges provide the structural support needed to carry larger or heavier earring fronts without the post bending under load.