I've used those tiny rubber stoppers on shepards hook earrings, but not on posts. If the backs on post are not tight enough I either tighten them, with a pliers, or substitute a larger disk back (plastic and metal combination) to balance the earring.

they are the best invention ever. I keep a cup of them by my jewelry. I also use them when wearing shepards hook earrings. put one on, and push it all the way to the back of my ear. seat belts are famous for pulling those out of your ear.

you can also use them for extra security with a snap back hoop. put on the plug, then snap your earring. if your earring comes unsnapped, you still won't lose it.

btw, not all are created equal. some fit a little different than others. hence why I have a whole dish of them. I espically like the little bullet nosed ones.

On studs or large-ish "button" pierced earrings, I usually use the plastic disc backs with metal centers, which are much better at supporting and stabilizing those types of earrings. I use the little plastic or silicon slip-on sleeve backs on shepherd's hook dangle-type earrings. Earring backs are easy to lose, and one of the best things I ever did was to order batches of a couple of different types of earring backs from Amazon. Now if I drop a little plastic earring back into my carpet, I don't spend ten minutes on my hands and knees feverishly looking for it or swiping a back from another set of earrings. I have lots of extras in my jewelry drawer now, and they were very inexensive.

On 2/12/2014 lavenderjunkie said:

If the backs on post are not tight enough I either tighten them, with a pliers

I pinch the butterfly clutches tighter with tweezers. It's an easy adjustment, but some people go to a jeweler.

On 2/12/2014 GoodStuff said:

On studs or large-ish "button" pierced earrings, I usually use the plastic disc backs with metal centers, which are much better at supporting and stabilizing those types of earrings. I use the little plastic or silicon slip-on sleeve backs on shepherd's hook dangle-type earrings. Earring backs are easy to lose, and one of the best things I ever did was to order batches of a couple of different types of earring backs from Amazon. Now if I drop a little plastic earring back into my carpet, I don't spend ten minutes on my hands and knees feverishly looking for it or swiping a back from another set of earrings. I have lots of extras in my jewelry drawer now, and they were very inexensive.

Good advice GoodStuff, that's exactly what I do, too. Those plastic disk backs stabilize larger earrings on the ear and make them face up and outward like they are supposed to do. They also seem to keep the earring on your ear better. The little bullet ones are great for smaller earrings; I carry a couple in my purse just in case I lose a back on them. Comes in handy, especially at work when the telephone seems to be the cause of losing an earring back and then the earring. Worst of all is when you roll your chair over the piece looking for it.

I think the reason they started putting them on shephard's hooks is that some are longer than others, and if the earring has any "swing" to it, it can actually swing back and forth and work try to its way out of your earlobe, sometimes without you even noticing. I lost a rose gold earring that way, and learned my lesson.

I find those plastic beads a bit tricky to work with ..... and now try to get only lever backs when possible .... they are so much more secure and comfortable

I wear them on all the shepherd hook earrings but sometimes I'm lucky enough to get a pair that has a small silicone back. These are so much better. They are shaped like small hats and are easier to put on the metal hook. So far I looked for them in craft stores but the only place I ever saw them was on Amazon. Unfortunately they were only available in wholesale quantities.

If you find this kind of backing, you will see that they are, IMO, much to be preferred.

You can find those earring backs in all sizes and shapes on ebay. I got a selection to find just the right fit for each earring. Also someone on this board posted the GREAT idea of using those little tube ones as a safekeeper for pins. Just put the pin through fabric then before you latch it closed put the little tube keeper on the pin, then latch. That way if it comes loose you won't loose your pin. This tip saved one of my fave KF fairy pins that I love. Thank you to whoever posted this great tip!