"The right body jewellery not only looks great, but also keeps your piercings and stretches happy and healthy. Let's look into the different body jewellery types."
So you're into body jewellery? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Knowing your surgical steel nose piercing jewellery from your titanium belly button rings is a must. This applies whether you’re a veteran in the piercing game or just starting to dip your toes (or lobes… or lips…) into the body mod world.
The thing is, it can be a bit mind-blowing. The sheer choice is massive, before you even go into all the different variations, like external threading, internal threading or no threading at all (threadless)!
On the upside, the beauty of a leading body jewellery shop like SIBJ is each piece has its own personality, just like you. And that’s what you’re here for. So don't worry. We've got your back.
In this guide, we’re exploring the most popular body jewellery types, so you’ll always know what to look for when you’re buying body jewellery online. And hey, you might even learn something cool to impress your mates.
Discussed In This Post
Use Multipurpose Barbells for Many Different Piercings
Barbells are a real backbone of the body jewellery world. They come in many shapes and sizes, making them versatile enough for a range of different piercings. In fact, they’re a safe bet whether you’re rocking a tongue piercing or pimping your eyebrow.
But did you know different kinds of barbells are better suited for specific piercings than others? Let’s break it down:
Straight barbell - This is your classic barbell. It’s a straight rod with two balls on either end that screw on, keeping your jewellery secure. And it’s ideal for everything from tongue to nipple piercings.
Curved barbell - This barbell has a slight curve like its name suggests, making it more comfortable for piercings in curved body parts, like eyebrows, belly buttons, and some cartilage piercings.
Circular barbell - Think of this as a half-hoop version of a barbell, like you’d see on a bull. It’s curved into a horseshoe shape, perfect as nose piercing jewellery and also super comfortable for lips.
Industrial barbell – This longer barbell isn’t for just one piercing in the ear. It connects two cartilage piercings, creating a bold statement across the top of your ear. You’ll find a it in a range of styles, including straight and also with dangly charms.
Pro Tip: Pay attention to the threading when you’re choosing barbells. Internally threaded are smoother and better for healing piercings, while externally threaded can irritate fresh piercings. (Confused? Keep your hair on! We’ll come on to these different variations shortly in the labret piercing section.)
Add Some Bling to Your Navel Piercing
Belly bars are your NBF for blinging out your belly button. These curved barbells are specifically designed for the navel piercings body jewellery types. They usually feature a small ball on the bottom (which sits inside your belly button) and a larger decorative ball or charm on top.
But not all belly jewellery is created equal. You’ve got:
Classic belly bars - These simple designs feature a ball on either end of the curved barbell. They’re durable and perfect for everyday wear due to less likelihood of snagging on your clothes.
Dangling belly bars – Dangles add flair to your belly piercing. Just be mindful they can be a bit more delicate, especially if they feature crystals or other embellishments.
And don’t underestimate how much metal matters. For this reason, titanium body jewellery is the top choice for both new and healed piercings. It’s made from ASTM F-136 titanium, preventing against irritation or allergic reactions. So, use your noggin and at least start off with titanium belly button rings for this fleshy but potentially fussy part of your bod.
Shameless plug - the SIBJ body jewellery shop has stunning classic and curved belly bars, including titanium belly button rings and Grade AAA cubic zirconias for brilliant shine and clarity!
Discover Showstopping Body Jewellery for Every Piercing in the Ear
The lobe is often Ground Zero for most piercing journeys. But body jewellery has come a long way and is no longer confined to a piercing in the ear. More recently, cartilage piercings have exploded in popularity, sparking the need for different types of body jewellery for different parts of the ear.
But lobes and cartilage are different beasts. For example, your conch, daith, helix, or tragus is much tougher than your earlobe. Your jewellery needs to fit properly for comfort and healing. And this means not all earring types are suitable for every piercing in the ear.
So, what’s out there for adorning your ears?
Barbells
We’ve already run through the different types of barbells in the first section if you need to check back. Better still, all four types mentioned are suitable for cartilage piercings, depending on where your holes are positioned and the look you want to achieve.
Climbers
Decorate your ears with gorgeous climbers in a variety of unique designs for any time and place.
Hoops and rings
These pieces are ideal for ear piercings (plus noses, septums, and belly buttons too), and come in multiple gauges, diameters, and closure styles, including –
- Ball closure rings (BCRs for short) - These are super popular for cartilage piercings, but getting the size right is key. Too small can cause irritation. Too big might not sit snugly.
- Hinged segment rings (also known as clickers) - This closure allows for easy insertion, thanks to the hinged segment design. They just snap securely into place for a flawless, seamless ring appearance.
- Segment rings - Segment rings are harder to open and close than clickers, making them less convenient for regular changes, although their fewer grooves are less likely to accumulate bacteria, they can also offer a more seamless look with no hinges potentially showing.
- Seamless rings - These rings are entirely smooth and continuous without any visible hinges or removable parts. They are opened by twisting the ends in opposite directions to create a gap. The downside is they are not ideal for frequent jewellery changes as it can be tricky to remove and reinsert.
Ear cuffs
Piercing in the ear or no piercing in the ear, cuffs are for everyone. You just slide the cuff over your helix and gently press it together to securely fasten these genius adornments in place.
Up the Rebel Ratings with Versatile Labret Piercing Jewellery
Labret studs are one of the most popular body jewellery options, prized for their comfort and versatility in lip piercings (although they can be worn in various piercings beyond just the labret).
What’s more, there’s an amazing selection of threadless tops to pair perfectly with labret bars. One labret post = countless style possibilities!
Not entirely sure what we’re talking about? To clarify, labret piercing jewellery is made up of studs with a flat backplate on one side and a decorative top that screws onto the other. But there are different methods for holding them in place (like we mentioned earlier with barbells):
Externally threaded labret piercing jewellery
Externally threaded labrets have threads on the outside of the bar, like a screw. For this reason, they can pose a risk to healing piercings, because the rough threads can irritate or tear the skin when inserted or removed, particularly in sensitive areas like lips and cartilage. They can also collect bacteria, potentially leading to infections. We recommend avoiding these body jewellery types due to these reasons.
Internally threaded labret piercing jewellery
Internally threaded counterparts offer a clear advantage when it comes to protecting your labret piercing. The threads are hidden inside the bar, so they glide smoothly through the piercing without causing irritation or damage. This is especially important for fresh piercings. They can be trickier to insert, but bear in mind their design helps prevent tearing or scraping the skin, minimising the risk of bacteria collecting on the threads and reducing the chance of infections. The added comfort and safety make it well worth the effort.
Threadless Tops
These bad boys make it super easy to change up your labret piercing or barbell look! And they’re available in the Stretch It Body Jewellery shop in loads of designs, sizes, and materials for any style or occasion.
Why go threadless?
- Switch up your style with ease using separately purchased tops
- Quick and hassle-free insertion and removal with no need to take out the entire piece to switch your look up or down
- Universal fit means you can use the same tops across multiple piercings
Make a Statement with Exciting Nose Piercing Jewellery
There’s no shortage of options when it comes to nose piercing jewellery. In fact, there’s something for every look. Here’s what to expect when you’re sniffing out the best body jewellery online:
Nose studs
Mega popular and versatile, studs can be worn subtly or make a bold statement. You’ll find them in various materials, gauge sizes, designs, and fitment types, guaranteeing the ideal style and fit for you and your nostrils!
Seamless rings
These rings have no visible clasp, giving the appearance of a continuous circle with a clean, minimal look. Additionally, they work just as well and look just as ace in your nostril or your septum.
Nose screws
These babies have a screw-like design and twist into place, making them more secure than studs but a bit trickier to insert. And you might spot different materials at play when you’re shopping around for body jewellery online. Some nose screws are single pieces of titanium body jewellery, while other are in two parts, with a bioplast screw attached to a stud or charm.
Progress Beyond the Piercing with Plugs and Tunnels for Stretched Ears
This is where it’s at when you’re into stretching your ears with solid plugs or hollow flesh tunnels that give the appearance of a window through your ear. Both types of ear stretching body jewellery come in tons of materials and designs, kitting you out to get creative with your look.
There are:
Single flare plugs and tunnels - These have a flare on one end, making them easier to insert.
Double flare plugs and tunnels - These are flared on both sides, giving you a snug fit without needing any o-rings to hold them in place.
Saddle ear weights - Saddles are a bit like tunnels but fit differently due to their open shape, which isn't for everybody. They apply uneven pressure to the lobes unlike the equal distribution of weight you get with plugs and tunnels. This is why they should only be worn for short periods.
Fake It Fierce with Bold, No-Commitment Body Jewellery
This one’s for the cheaters! And truthfully, fake body jewellery is wildly popular among the non-pierced population, gaining more and more traction. After all, why not achieve the look you want instantly? All gain and no pain (although we’ll reiterate there shouldn’t be any pain when you pierce and stretch safely!).
The good news is fake body jewellery keeps getting better and better, from deceptive nose piercing jewellery to titanium belly button rings without a hole! And best of all, no one will know the difference.
So, that’s your Stretch It Body Jewellery crash course! And honestly, understanding the different body jewellery types will help you make the best choice for both style and comfort when you’re adding a new piercing or upgrading your current jewellery game.
Plus a final reminder - The right body jewellery not only looks great, but also keeps your piercings and stretches happy and healthy. It’s a golden rule we’ll never get tired of repeating.
Got questions or ready to grab some new gear? Head over to our body jewellery shop for more info on piercing processes, aftercare tips, and all the badass jewellery you could ever desire.
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