You lose an earring back and suddenly realise you never knew what type it was. Or you buy a new pair of gold studs and the back feels different from your old ones. Or someone gives you earrings you love, but they never sit quite right on the ear.
Earring backs are one of those things nobody thinks about until something goes wrong. But the type of back affects how securely an earring stays in place, how comfortable it is for long wear, and how well it suits valuable or heavy pieces.
This guide covers every main type of earring back, how each one works, what it suits, and how to choose the right one for the earrings you wear most.
If you need a replacement earring back or want to upgrade the fitting on an existing pair, Manna Jewellers in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter stocks earring backs and our workshop handles fitting and repairs. You can also browse our gold earrings collection to see how different backs work across stud, hoop, and drop styles.
The main earring back types are butterfly (push back), screw back, La Pousette, lever back, latch back and omega back.
Screw back earrings are the most secure option and are recommended for valuable studs, children's earrings and anyone prone to losing jewellery.
Butterfly backs are the most common earring back type and suit everyday wear across most stud styles.
Gold screw back earrings are widely available and are particularly popular for diamond and gemstone studs where security matters.
Lever backs and latch backs suit drop and hoop earrings rather than studs.
A jeweller can replace or upgrade earring backs without replacing the earring itself.
Manna Jewellers stocks replacement earring backs and can fit them in-store.
An earring back, also called an earring fastening or earring closure, is the component that holds an earring in place on the earlobe. For stud earrings, the post passes through the piercing and the back clips, screws or locks onto the post behind the ear. For hoop and drop earrings, the back forms part of the earring's own closure mechanism.
The right earring back type depends on three things: the earring style, the wearer's activity level, and the piece's value. A heavyweight diamond stud needs a more secure back than a lightweight fashion stud worn occasionally. A long drop earring needs a different back type entirely from a small gold stud.
The butterfly back, also called a push back or friction back, is the most commonly used earring back type in the UK. It is a small metal fitting shaped roughly like a butterfly, with two wings that grip the post when you push it into place.
Butterfly backs are quick to put on and remove, which makes them popular for everyday earrings. They grip the post through friction, so security depends on how tightly the back holds. A new butterfly back holds well, but they loosen over time with repeated use. If a butterfly back loosens on a valuable earring, replace it.
They suit most stud earrings and lighter weight pieces. For heavier drops or more valuable stones, consider a more secure back type.
Screw back earrings have a threaded post and a back that screws onto it, rather than simply pushing on. The back cannot slip off accidentally because you have to unscrew it actively. This makes screw back earrings significantly more secure than butterfly backs.
Gold screw back earrings are particularly common for diamond stud earrings, pearl studs and gemstone studs where losing the earring would be costly or irreplaceable. They are also widely recommended for children's earrings because children are far less likely to remove or accidentally lose them during the day.
The trade-off is time. Screw back earrings take longer to put on and remove than butterfly backs. For someone who changes earrings frequently, that can feel inconvenient. For someone who wears the same pair of gold studs every day, it is a non-issue.
Gold screw back earrings are available across all carat levels. At Manna Jewellers, our stud earrings in 9ct and 18ct gold are available with screw back fittings on request, and we can retrofit screw backs onto existing studs through our repair workshop.
La Pousette is a premium earring back type, sometimes called a safety back. It uses a two-sided push mechanism: you press both sides to release the back, and it clicks securely into place when you let go. You cannot pull it off with a single motion.
La Pousette backs are more secure than standard butterfly backs and easier to use than screw backs. They sit closer to the earlobe than a standard butterfly, which gives a neater appearance from behind. They are a better choice for valuable stud earrings worn daily by someone who finds screw backs fiddly.
Lever backs are used on drop earrings and small hoops rather than studs. A lever back earring has a curved wire that passes through the piercing, with a hinged lever that clips down behind the ear to hold the earring in place. The lever clicks shut and cannot fall open accidentally.
Lever backs are more secure than simple hook backs (also called shepherd's hook or fish hook backs), which simply hang through the piercing with no closure. They suit dangling earrings, where a hook back carries a higher risk of the earring slipping out during movement.
Latch backs are similar to lever backs but are typically used on larger hoop earrings. The hoop passes through the piercing and a latch mechanism on the back of the hoop clips shut to hold it in place. Most everyday gold hoop earrings use a latch back or a similar hinged closure.
The twisted hoop earrings in Manna Jewellers' gold earrings collection use latch-back closures for secure, comfortable wear. This earring back type is designed for all-day hoops that need to stay in place through movement.
Omega backs are used on larger, heavier stud-style or clip-style earrings. The back is a broad, hinged piece that clips firmly against the earlobe. The wide surface area distributes the earring's weight more evenly, making omega backs comfortable for heavier statement pieces.
They are less common in everyday fine jewellery but are frequently used in fashion jewellery and for clip-on designs that don't use a traditional post.
|
Back type |
Best for |
Security |
Ease of use |
|
Butterfly (push back) |
Everyday studs |
Moderate |
Very easy |
|
Screw back |
Valuable studs, children's earrings |
High |
Moderate |
|
La Pousette |
Valuable studs, daily wear |
High |
Easy |
|
Lever back |
Drop earrings, small hoops |
Good |
Easy |
|
Latch back |
Hoop earrings |
Good |
Easy |
|
Omega back |
Heavy statement earrings |
Good |
Moderate |
|
Hook (shepherd's hook) |
Drop earrings |
Low |
Very easy |
The simplest way to decide is to consider the earring style, the value of the piece, and how often you change your earrings.
For everyday gold stud earrings that you wear constantly and rarely remove, screw back earrings give the best security without significant inconvenience. Gold screw back earrings are the standard recommendation for diamond studs, pearl studs and any gemstone stud with meaningful value.
For lighter fashion studs changed regularly, butterfly backs are perfectly adequate and far more convenient.
For hoop earrings, latch backs are standard and suit most wearers. For drop earrings, lever backs offer better security than hook backs if the earring is heavy or valuable.
If you are unsure which back type your current earrings have, or you want to upgrade an existing pair to a more secure fit, bring them to a jeweller. Our team at Manna Jewellers handles earring back replacement and fitting as a standard repair service. Our jewellery repair page has more detail on what we offer.
Yes, in most cases. If you have lost an earring back, a jeweller can supply and fit a replacement of the same type, or upgrade to a more secure type if the post allows. Our frequently asked questions page confirms that Manna Jewellers stocks earring backs and can order specialist types on request.
For a standard butterfly back replacement, the cost is minimal. For upgrading to screw backs or La Pousette backs, a jeweller will need to check that the post threading is compatible or can be adapted.
Screw back earrings are the most secure earring back type for stud earrings. The back screws onto a threaded post and cannot come off accidentally. La Pousette backs are a close second and are easier to use while still offering significantly more security than a standard butterfly or push back. For drop earrings, lever backs offer better security than hook backs because the lever clicks shut rather than hanging open.
Screw back earrings have a threaded post and a back that screws on and off. The back cannot slip off accidentally because you must actively unscrew it to remove it. This makes them the preferred choice for valuable diamond or gemstone stud earrings, children's earrings, and any situation where losing an earring would be costly. Gold screw back earrings are widely available and can also be retrofitted onto existing studs by a jeweller.
A butterfly back, also called a push back or friction back, is the most common earring back type. It is a small metal fitting shaped like a butterfly that grips the earring post through friction when you push it into place. It is quick and easy to use, which makes it popular for everyday earrings. The grip can loosen over time, so it's worth checking and replacing butterfly backs on valuable earrings periodically.
For security, yes. Gold screw back earrings are significantly more secure than butterfly backs because the back cannot come off without being deliberately unscrewed. They take slightly longer to put on and remove, but for valuable studs or earrings worn continuously, that trade-off is worthwhile. For lighter fashion earrings you change often, butterfly backs are perfectly practical.
Look at the back of the earring after you have put it on. A butterfly back has two small wings and pushes straight onto the post. A screw back will have a visible thread on the post and a back that spins to tighten. A lever back has a hinged arm that clips closed. A latch back has a small hoop with a clip mechanism. If you are unsure, a jeweller can identify the type and advise on replacement or upgrade options.
Manna Jewellers is a family jewellery business based in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, trading since 1977. We stock gold stud earrings and a full range of gold earrings in 9ct and 18ct yellow, white and rose gold, with butterfly, screw back and latch back fittings. We stock replacement earring backs and can fit or upgrade earring backs through our repair service. Visit us in store or book an appointment to discuss earring repairs or fittings in person.
Types of gold explained: understanding gold colours and carats- understand the gold used in your earring backs and earring posts, from 9ct to 18ct and across all three colours.
Types of gold chains: curb, Figaro, rope and more explained- a companion guide covering the other main category of gold jewellery worn daily.
Jewellery repair in Birmingham: your guide to choosing a trusted workshop- if you need an earring back replaced or an earring repaired, this covers what to expect from a Jewellery Quarter repair service
