Standard backs that come with lightweight stud earrings usually hold the earrings snugly against your earlobes just fine, but heavier earrings (like popular chandeliers) can tug and pull at your earlobe, creating discomfort. And, over time, those heavy earrings will drag the pierced area downwards, leaving what appears to be a small vertical slit where a round hole used to be.

Stabilizing earring backs, often called clutches, hold earrings securely in place and disguise droopy earlobes. More importantly, the stabilizers help keep earrings from stretching in the first place.

Earring Stabilizers

Try replacing your original earring backs with these hypoallergenic stabilizers. A large plastic disc surrounds the metal stud receptor on each back. The discs sit flush against the back of your earlobes, stabilizing the skin and minimizing stretch. The discs are sold in pairs of three.More »

Convert-a-Cushion Earring Backs

Convert-a-Cushion backs are similar to the stabilizers above, but they are thicker and are made to work with either typical post earrings or screw-back earrings. The extra depth of the cushion works as a perfect stabilizer for heavy designs. Sold in single pairs.More »

Repair-a-Tear Earring Stablizers

Medical grade adhesive affixes these thin disposable discs to the back of your earlobes. The discs help stabilize already-torn or stretched lobes. Use these stabilizers with post earrings and with wires -- just push the metal through the discs. Stabilizers aren't a perfect solution, but they do make a significant difference in earlobe comfort level and appearance. Sold in groups of five sheets, with twelve discs per sheet.More »

Earwire Safety Holder

Slip one of these inexpensive medical-grade PVC tubes onto the back of a wire earring. They won't help prevent or stabilize drooping lobes, but they will keep your earrings from slipping off.More »

Heavy Friction Earring Backs

Chances are your fine earrings will come with backs that hold them securely in place. If they don't, or if you misplace the backs, these oversize 14K gold replacements can help. The larger size provides more stability and the backs are made to safeguard your earrings.

Another company, Janeliunas Jewelry, also sells earring backs that are designed to secure your fine jewelry.More »