A majority of earrings come with a friction back, they are also known as push backs or butterfly backs. They are very comfortable and will accommodate a stud or dangle earring with a post. Friction backs have little metal engravings on the inside that curve up and use tension to grip the earring post.

Do you need earring backs?

The clear plastic portion is indeed removable but exists to provide support for your earlobes when wearing large, heavy earrings — in fact, the backs often stop jewelry from stretching out or tearing your lobes.

What are earring backs called?

French clips, or omega backs. are fixtures on the back of the earrings. They function like little clips to hold the earring onto your ear lobes. While some earrings have only omega clips, some earrings have both posts and omega hoops.