Abstract: An earring post for pierced ears is disclosed, the post being split at its distal end to form one or more prongs. The prongs are held together by a slidable sleeve or the fingers, the prongs thus being in a tensioned state in generally axial alignment with the post. Upon insertion, the prongs are released by the fingers or by sliding the sleeve away from the prongs, thus assuming their resting position biased out of axial alignment with the post for retaining the post in place.