Ask the Experts Earwires Q&A

Can you make your own ear wires out of gold-filled wire? Or does work hardening and using a burr-cup tool on the end ruin it? I don't know how to get ready-made gold-filled earring wires & findings that are the same gold tone as my gold-filled wire.

Yes, you can absolutely make your own ear wires from gold-filled wire. When you cut filled wire, you are exposing the core to your skin, so make sure the wearer doesn’t have allergies to the metal at the core. Most people, even with allergies, can tolerate filled wire, because the tip touches the ear only momentarily, and the karat gold coating is what will stay against the skin.

- Patti