Abstract: A composite jewelry retaining element for a post is disclosed which includes a first inner core part that is a conventional retainer such as a butterfly clamp, spring biased clutch or screw back device. The inner core part is enveloped by an elastomeric section. The elastomeric section has a tubular passage that is sized slightly smaller than an aperture provided through the conventional retainer and that receives an earring post. The post is thereby retained by both the conventional retainer element and a gripping force imposed by the elastomeric section which is created by providing the passage that is slightly smaller than the post.