Your Essential Guide to Earring Posts and Backs

Written By Allie Perry January 3, 2025

When you go to buy a pair of earrings, you probably consider the basic style of the earring itself, like whether it's a stud or a drop earring, and then you focus on the design on the front. That makes sense since it’s the only part you ever see! But the posts and backs—the unseen components of every pair of earrings—are just as important for comfort, durability, ease of use, and security. 

I’m going to teach you all about the most common varieties of earring posts and backs so you can learn their pros and cons and make the best choices for your jewelry collection!

What are the different types of earring posts and backs?

1. Friction Posts and Backs

Friction Posts (Push Backs) If you own stud earrings, they probably have friction posts. These are the most common type of posts and are typically used with small to medium-sized stud earrings.

• Pros: Simple to use, affordable, and widely available. They’ll give you a secure fit when paired with the correct friction back.
• Cons: Small sizes may not be suitable for heavier earrings, and you may find them uncomfortable if the posts are too long for you.

Butterfly (Friction) Backs These are paired with friction posts and feature a small metal piece shaped like a butterfly.

• Pros: Easy for you to use and adjust. Widely available and cost-effective.
• Cons: Prone to loosening over time. Can be uncomfortable if too tight against the ear. If the wrong size friction back is selected, it may contribute to the earring drooping in the front.

What to keep in mind: Friction posts should have at least one noticeable groove close to the end of the post- if there’s no groove, there’s a good chance your back will slide right off without you knowing about it. All friction backs will eventually need adjustment over time to make sure they maintain the appropriate tension for the circles on the earring back to click into the groove on the earring post.

Stabilizer (Friction) Backs These are similar to traditional friction backs but have a larger disc or pad that provides extra support.

• Pros: Excellent for supporting large or heavy earrings, preventing sagging, and distributing weight more evenly.
• Cons: Can be more noticeable behind the ear and slightly bulkier than standard friction backs. They’re also more expensive.

What to keep in mind: While stabilizer backs are a great option if you wear larger earrings, they do add weight to the overall feel of whatever earrings you wear them with.

2. La Pousette, Guardian, or Protektor Posts and Backs 

These have a spring mechanism that grips the grooves in specialty posts and can only be released by squeezing small tabs on the sides.

• Pros: Highly secure and less likely to fall off accidentally.
• Cons: More expensive and harder to find than other types. Hard to use if you have dexterity issues. The post may be replaceable, but the backs are difficult or impossible to repair.

What to keep in mind: These backs and posts are only designed to work with matching posts. They’re not interchangeable across friction post earrings like regular friction backs are.

3. Screw-Back or Threaded

Screw-Back Posts Screw-back posts have ridges that allow the earring back to twist onto the post for a more secure hold.

• Pros: Excellent security, making them ideal for valuable or sentimental pieces. They are less likely to fall off accidentally since they can’t be pulled off.
• Cons: Inconvenient to put on and take off, especially if you are in a hurry. The ridged design can cause discomfort if not properly aligned. Damaged screw posts and backs cannot be cost-effectively repaired- only replaced.

Screw Backs Designed to match screw-back posts, these backs twist onto the post.

• Pros: Superior security for valuable earrings.
• Cons: Time-consuming to use and can wear down threads over time. If the threading on the post gets damaged, the back will no longer stay on securely. Screwing the back on crooked can cause cross-threading and render the back and post ineffective, requiring both to be replaced.

What to keep in mind: Screw backs can also slowly become unscrewed while you wear them, leading you to think your earrings are safer than they actually are. Check them frequently to make sure the backs are screwed on all the way up to the back of your earlobe, particularly if you’re wearing them every day.

Push-On Screw-Off Backs A hybrid style, these backs push onto a grooved post but require unscrewing to remove.

• Pros: Easier to put on than traditional screw backs but still offer superior security. Ideal for those who want a balance of convenience and safety, particularly for children’s earrings
• Cons: Can be more expensive than friction backs. The grooves on the post may cause wear over time. The tabs that make this style of back function can be bent out of alignment.

What to keep in mind: This style of back is good for children who tend to lose their earrings or accidentally pull friction backs off. I personally don’t recommend them for adults- if you want screw backs, go with the kind that screw on and off.

4. Hinged or Latch Posts (Hoop Earrings) 

Commonly found on hoop earrings, the post is inserted into a latch or hinged clasp and clicks closed.

• Pros: Easy to use, secure, and designed to keep hoops in place. No separate back to worry about.
• Cons: If the clasp becomes worn, it may not stay closed, leading to the potential loss of the earring.

What to keep in mind: You need to check the alignment frequently to make sure the post says in the right orientation to click securely into the back. If you stop hearing a click when you latch the earrings closed, take them off and get them checked by a jeweler.

5. Leverback Posts and Backs

Leverbacks feature a curved wire that clasps securely into place over a curved ear wire, commonly seen on dangle earrings.

• Pros: Stylish and secure. They are easy to fasten and great for all-day wear. All of the parts are integrated, so they’re harder to lose.
• Cons: More intricate designs can be more expensive. The clasp mechanism may loosen over time.

What to keep in mind: Make sure the ear wire and lever back stay aligned with one another so they function properly together. Sometimes, damaged lever backs can be adjusted or repaired, but oftentimes once they’re damaged, the backs need to be replaced.

6. Omega Backs 

Omega backs have a hinged, omega-shaped clasp that snaps onto the post.

• Pros: Provide excellent security and support for heavier earrings. They are easier to handle than screw-backs and offer a comfortable fit. This is another style where all of the parts are integrated, so you don’t have to worry about losing the backs.
• Cons: More expensive and may require precise fitting to ensure comfort and security.

What to keep in mind: If the shape of the omega back is altered, it will affect the overall tension on the piece and cause the back to flop down instead of staying up securely. If this happens, have your local jeweler adjust the shape and correct the tension.

7. Rubber or Silicone Backs 

Soft rubber backs are commonly used with lightweight or costume jewelry.

• Pros: Comfortable, hypoallergenic, and inexpensive.
• Cons: Less durable and prone to stretching or wear. Some clear varieties will yellow over time.

What to keep in mind: Instead of using this style on stud earrings, you should use them on earrings with French hooks! They’ll prevent the earring from working up and out of your ear and falling out from the front.

9. Clip-On Backs 

Clip-on backs are designed for non-pierced ears and clamp onto the earlobe.

• Pros: Ideal for those without pierced ears. Easy to put on and take off.
• Cons: Can cause discomfort or pinching if worn for extended periods. They may slip off if not properly adjusted.

What to keep in mind: If you need to use clip-on backs, ask your jewelry about the pads that are available to make them more comfortable.

10. Screw-On Clip Backs 

Screw-on clip backs combine the clamp mechanism of clip-ons with an adjustable screw to control tension.

• Pros: Highly customizable fit for non-pierced ears. The screw allows for fine-tuned pressure, reducing discomfort.
• Cons: Can be tricky to adjust correctly and may require frequent tightening. More expensive than standard clip-ons.

What to keep in mind: Similar to threaded backs, the threaded portion of the clip can slowly loosen over time while being worn. Be sure to check them frequently.

11. Threader Posts 

Threader earrings feature a thin, flexible chain or bar that is inserted through the earlobe and dangles freely.

• Pros: Lightweight, elegant, and versatile. They can create a dramatic look with minimal weight and are adjustable in length depending on how much is threaded through the ear. There's no back to adjust or lose.
• Cons: Less secure than other types of posts. They can slip out easily if not properly balanced or if snagged.

What to keep in mind: Get in the habit of checking these while you wear them- without a back of any type, it’s possible for the threaders to slip forward and fall out without you feeling it.

Choosing the Right Combination

What you choose for earring posts and backs depends on the design, weight, and value of your earrings, as well as your personal preference. Consider the security you need for your valuable pieces and how comfortable they are for all-day wear. Understanding the variety of earring posts and backs can help you make informed decisions when purchasing earrings or replacing lost components!

Ready to treat yourself to a new pair of earrings? Click here to see what handmade, one-of-a-kind earrings I have in stock!