Types of Piercing Jewelry
Here we tell you everything you need to know about jewelry types for each piercing type.
Finding the right jewelry for a specific piercing can be challenging given the variety of piercing types and jewelry variants. In this article, we present the different types of piercing jewelry along with their advantages and disadvantages.
I. Piercing Rings
II. Labret Piercings
III. Nose Studs
IV. Barbell Piercings
V. Curved Barbells (Banana Piercing)
VI. Industrial Surface Bar Piercings
Piercing Rings
CBR Rings (Captive Bead Ring)
The CBR Ring uses a special pressure mechanism to hold the jewelry in place. The bead, also called a captive bead, has two small indentations where the ends of the ring rest. The pressure from this setup keeps the ring together. Smaller CBRs are easy to insert and hold particularly well.
Advantages of CBR rings include the cool looks made possible by different bead designs and colors, and their versatility. They can be used for the nose, lips, eyebrows, ears, and even the chest!
Segment Rings
A segment ring allows a small part of the ring to be completely removed. The removable segment creates pressure that secures the ring. The main advantage of segment rings is their secure fit—they won't fall out once properly inserted. They offer a very discreet look, as they are usually made without additional decorations.
Segment rings are especially suitable for nose piercings, eyebrow piercings, and ear piercings. The only downside is that they can be a bit tricky to insert, often requiring a ring-opening plier to place the small segment back into the ring.
Segment Clickers
A segment clicker is a completely closed ring with a convenient hinge closure. The hinge allows for easy insertion and removal without any additional tools, making it easy to switch out multiple segment clickers quickly for variety.
Segment clickers come in both simple and elaborate designs and are particularly suitable for the nose, ears, and chest.
Horseshoe Piercings
The horseshoe, or circular barbell, is an open ring with two balls at the ends. Depending on the horseshoe, either both or one of the balls can be unscrewed for easy insertion. The threading can vary between external and the popular internal thread.
Horseshoes can be used in many piercings, including the nose (specifically the septum), ears, lips, eyebrows, and chest, making them a versatile choice.
Labret Piercings
A labret stud consists of a top piece and a hollow bar with a flat end. The closure can be external thread, internal thread, or the innovative push-in system. The first two types use screw threads, while the push-in system uses a special method to join the pieces.
Labrets are primarily used for lip piercings. The bar should be made of Bioflex to avoid damaging the teeth with metal. Due to the flat back disc that sits flush against the piercing, labret studs are also popular for ear piercings like helix or tragus.
Nose Studs
Since nostril piercings are among the most popular, there are now a variety of nose studs with different benefits to choose from.
The classic straight stud has a tiny ball at the end that sits snugly against the nasal septum to prevent the jewelry from falling out. This stud is easily fixed in place by simply sliding it into the piercing hole.
The L-shaped stud is bent at a 90° angle, easy to handle, and sits securely in the nose. The L-shaped bar conforms to the nose, providing a comfortable fit. It is also easy to insert.
The nose screw has a U-shaped bar. The U-shape conforms comfortably to the nose, offering a secure fit. However, insertion requires some skill due to the shape. Once in place, the nose screw is virtually unnoticeable.
The fishtail is a unique nose stud type with a customizable bar length. The long, straight bar can be bent with pliers to perfectly fit one's nose.
The nose crawler can have straight or L-shaped bars. The stud has a slightly curved top to mimic the look of a ring while providing the secure hold of a stud. Perfect for those who love the ring look but don't want to wear a nose ring!
Barbell Piercings
A barbell consists of a straight bar with two balls at the ends. The bar is available in all lengths and thicknesses and suitable for different piercings depending on the length. For example, long barbells (30 mm or more) are used for industrial piercings, medium barbells (16 mm or more) for tongue piercings, and short barbells (6 mm or more) for ear piercings like the helix. Barbells are also preferred for nipple and some intimate piercings.
The closure can be internal or external thread. The barbell's ends are easily interchangeable for different looks without irritating the piercing channel, as the bar stays in place while changing the balls.
Curved Barbells (Banana Piercing)
Curved barbells, or bananas, are similar to barbells but with a slightly curved bar. The curved bar makes them suitable for different body parts. The navel is a common site for curved barbells, but they are also used for rook or eyebrow piercings. The curved bar prevents pressure that straight bars might cause in these piercings.
Like barbells, curved barbells have external or internal threading and offer the same advantages of interchangeable ends for various designs and looks.
Industrial Surface Bar Piercings
The surface bar is a long, straight bar with 90° bent ends adorned with balls or ends. The closure can be internal or external thread. This type of jewelry is designed specifically for surface piercings and flat body areas. Its shape reduces the pressure usually created by surface piercings. The lack of tension under the skin means surface piercings with a surface bar are less likely to migrate or be rejected.
