Electronic component earrings

I found myself with dozens of capacitors and resistors of different shapes and colors and decided to turn them into jewelry. Produce your own completely unique pieces of jewelry and show them off!

Step 1 Collect your materials

For this Instructable you'll need:

• Resistors, capacitors or other electronic components 
• Silver plated earring hooks
• Solder
• Soldering iron
• Soldering helping hand
• Clippers

Where to buy components and electronics supplies:

• I recommend Mouser to buy online or HSC Halted if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and can drive to their warehouse

Comments

[skittlespider]

Wow, great job on these!

I'm tempted to get my old motherboard out of the closet and make some jewelry. It finally has something useful to do!

(By the way, on the sample image for step 2 I thought you had on your moustache from your "Moustache Ride" Instructable. Until I clicked on step 2 of course.)

[zazenergy]

Thanks! You definitely should get out a motherboard and take it apart to make these!

I get so many compliments on this jewelry. It's also a very unique gift for that special person in your life!

[sgomes3]

This is so cool. Beautiful pictures too :))

[TXTCLA55]

Thanks for the idea! My girl loved these :)

[vishalapr]

What a creative and amazing use for waste electronic equipment!!!

[hanniballecter90]

Designs are extraordinarily beautiful, but raw material of semiconductor electronic elements that you have to wonder if the damage to health

[Build it and Fix it]

GOT ENOUGH RESISTORS THERE!?

[Frogzard101]

make sure to get Lead-free solder!

[zazenergy]

I prefer leaded solder because it's rosin core is non-toxic to breathe in. Apparently, the flux inside lead-free solder is toxic.

Just wash your hands immediately after touching lead and you should be A-OK.

[mr.frob]

I also prefer leaded solder because I think it just works better than lead-free. From my experience it takes more heat to get going and even then doesn't quite act right. Sweet instructable btw.

[xAxrules]

lead free doesn't bond the same and does take more heat. Also the fumes are worse for you. Leaded solder is easier to use, contains barely any lead anyway, bonds better and you can tell the difference between a dry joint and a good joint! All lead-free joints look like dry joints!

[mdog93]

I didn't think they were meant to sell leaded solder anymore... i'm sure i read that, not true?

[zazenergy]

It's still sold in the US, but I believe it may be banned/restricted in Europe.

[mdog93]

yes, although to day i checked the sort of solder they use at my school and it is 60/40 tin/lead alloy or is it lead/tin i can't remember

[xAxrules]

It is restricted, but you are able to buy leaded solder in the uk if you are a hobbyist, mass produced electronics have to use unleaded solder (unfortunately...)

[Bruno153]

Srry... but the soldering iron contains lead.... i don't think it's right using something so dangerous in earrings... i think that we can change it for something similar...

[PS118]

Next step: Combine with LED Throwie technology.

Ideally one red LED and one green, thus your 'lobes serve as port/starboard markers after dark! XD

[zazenergy]

ha! That's great.

[wobbler]

You could also try getting a couple of dil 8 ics (eg 741?) or even better, some miniature dils and cut the legs flush with the body. Then glue these to stud-type pins (non-dangly!) so that they become IC studs and should look like you have become cyborg woman! Would make a good geeky nose stud too if you used the small IC.

[zazenergy]

That's a great idea!