I think they are some type of brass at the top. I haven't checked the two ear rings. Been a rough couple months for me lately and have to start 8 weeks of physical therapy next Wednesday for 3 times a week. I had to cancel this early in the year due to another family member's illness and hope to get it out of the way so I can take my certification dive in November. It was great getting out even for a little while and I've been trying to get out every day since this trip Sept-2nd, but it just don't work out some times. I had all my gear ready last night before I went to bed and got up and cooked Mama's breakfast and planned to be at my new spot before 8 am, but she wasn't feeling well. Maybe tomorrow. My home internet won't work and I decided to come on to the public library and do our church prayer list and hope I can hit this spot Friday or Saturday. Bow season starts Saturday and I'm concerned about hitting this wooded spot then. I don't know about the rest of you, but I will be wearing hunter orange this Saturday. I went ahead and cooked enough for Mama for the next two days and hope if she is feeling better, I can be at this new spot at daylight tomorrow. I made some repairs to my sifter and fixed a waterproof box up with black paper so nobody could see what kind of stuff I had in it for emergencies and put some paracord string on it and a carabiner to clip on my finds pouch like the sifter or clip it directly to one of the ties on my sifter. I'm primed and ready to go. GL & HH.