Screwback earrings: To convert or not to convert?

[kTron]

Hello! My name is Kate - I'm new to the forum (first post!) and new to collecting vintage silver. Please let me know if this thread is in the right place, or if I should move it elsewhere.

I tried doing a search, but I didn't quite find what I was looking for on a particular topic. I have several smaller pair of screwback-style earrings that I wear fairly regularly and have no issues with; they stay on my ear, aren't too pinchy/heavy, etc. However, I am in the process of acquiring a pair of gorgeous MATL earrings, which are MUCH larger and heavier than the pairs I currently own.

There is no doubt that I want to wear these beauties, but I am worried about the weight and the screwbacks, and that they may slip off of the ear. I'm considering having them converted to posts, but wondered if there was an unwritten rule or consensus about conversion. The few pair I own now are hallmarked on the back, so I would never convert those, but the new pair are not, and converting them to posts would not ruin the hallmarks.

Is there a general preference about altering vintage earrings? Does it compromise the integrity of a piece, from a collectors standpoint, if the hallmarks are intact? I'd love to hear about your experiences/opinions on the subject. I'm not trying to change anything about the earring itself - I just want to be able to wear them and and not be afraid of losing them!

Again, thanks for your help. I'm looking forward to learning a lot from the forum!

[JLDoggett]

I tend to suggest that if a client likes the vintage look of the earrings then they should be left as-is. The heating needed to remove the screw backs, the smoothing of the solder pad then the re-heating to solder on the post will include several acid baths to remove firescale. The process will need to end with a polishing that is mechanical... never good if you want to keep that old, well loved patina. Unless you are very young, you might not live long enough to see their lovely patina return.

Also a precaution: some screw backs were attached with a lead based solder, if so be careful who you have do the conversion as an inexperienced repairman can irreparibly damage them.