Piercing Jewelry 101: Types, Styles, and When to Wear Them Piercing jewelry comes in all shapes, sizes, and materials, offering endless possibilities to personalize your look. But with so many options, selecting the perfect piece can be a bit overwhelming. What type of jewelry is best for your piercing? Which styles work for everyday wear versus special occasions? Let's break it all down.
Common Types of Piercing Jewelry
1. Barbells
Barbells are a versatile and popular choice for many piercings, recognizable by their straight or curved bar with detachable balls on both ends. They come in two main styles:
- Straight Barbells: Often used for tongue, industrial, and nipple piercings. These are sleek, simple, and practical for healing.
- Curved Barbells (aka banana barbells): Commonly used for eyebrow, rook, or navel piercings. Their slightly arched design provides a snug fit that hugs your body’s natural curves.
When to Wear Them: Barbells are great for day-to-day comfort and practicality. They’re also perfect during the healing stage of a fresh piercing because they’re secured and less likely to snag.
2. Hoops (or Rings)
Hoops are circular jewelry pieces that come in various diameters, making them highly customizable. Two popular styles include:
- Captive Bead Rings (CBRs): A ball or bead holds the ring securely in place. Ideal for lip, septum, and helix piercings.
- Seamless Hoops: Minimalist with no visible closure, perfect for nostrils, conch, and cartilage piercings.
When to Wear Them: Hoops offer a chic, bold look and are ideal for healed piercings since they allow more movement. Choose smaller, snug-fitting hoops for a subtle style or larger statement pieces for added drama.
3. Studs
Studs are universally loved for their sleek design and functionality. They feature a single post with a decorative edge that sits flat against the skin:
- Flat-back Studs (labret studs): Designed for comfort, commonly used in lip, cartilage, and tragus piercings.
- Push-in or Threaded Studs: Ideal for nostril, helix, and earlobe piercings, offering adjustable decor options like gemstones or custom designs.
When to Wear Them: Studs are perfect for a discreet, polished look, making them ideal for professional settings or casual everyday wear.
4. Clickers
Clickers are an upgraded version of hoops that "click" securely into place, featuring an easy-to-use hinged mechanism. They often come adorned with intricate designs, gemstones, or patterns.
Commonly Used For: Septum, daith, helix, and cartilage piercings.
When to Wear Them: The ideal option for elevated looks, clickers can transition seamlessly from office chic to night-out glam.
5. Circular Barbells (Horseshoes)
Circular barbells are shaped like a horseshoe with removable balls or spikes at each end. Their design gives you the option of wearing them with or without the attachments.
Commonly Used For: Septum, daith, eyebrow, or lip piercings.
When to Wear Them: Circular barbells are versatile, perfect for both casual and edgy styles. They’re great for creating a bold statement without being too over-the-top.
6. Studded or Dangling Pieces
Ornate designs and dangling attachments are available for a more decorative look. These are often featured on belly-button (navel) rings, dangle earrings, and even cartilage jewelry.
When to Wear Them: Dangling jewelry adds flair to your look, making them perfect for parties, festivals, or photoshoots. However, avoid wearing these with healing piercings as they are more prone to snagging.
Choosing the Right Jewelry for Your Piercing
Different piercings require different jewelry to ensure comfort, healing, and style. Below are some common piercing placements and recommended jewelry types:
- Earlobe: Hoops, studs, or dangling pieces
- Helix/Cartilage: Hoops, flat-back studs, or clickers
- Tragus: Flat-back studs or small hoops
- Nostril: Studs, seamless hoops, or clickers
- Septum: Circular barbells, clickers, or seamless hoops
- Belly Button: Curved barbells or dangling pieces
- Eyebrow: Curved barbells or horseshoes
- Lip/Monroe/Medusa: Flat-back studs or hoops
Tips for Selecting Piercing Jewelry
- Consider Healing Time - For fresh piercings, opt for jewelry that minimizes movement, like studs or bars, to promote healing and prevent irritation.
- Choose High-Quality Materials - Look for hypoallergenic options like surgical steel, titanium, or gold to prevent allergic reactions.
- Match Your Style - Whether you love a minimalist vibe or bold statement pieces, ensure your jewelry fits your aesthetic.
- Check the Fit - Jewelry that’s too tight can cause discomfort, while loose-fitting pieces may snag. Always follow your piercer’s advice on sizing.
Where to Find the Best Piercing Jewelry
At Kings Body Jewelry, we bring you a wide variety of high-quality piercing jewelry to suit every style and piercing. Whether you’re looking for a classic hoop, a sturdy barbell, or a statement clicker, we’ve got you covered—with styles that are both fashionable and functional.
Browse our collection today and discover something that speaks to you!
TL;DR: The world of piercing jewelry is vast, but with the right understanding of types and styles, you’ll never have to second-guess your choice again. Explore, experiment, and express yourself confidently in all the right ways. Happy styling!