Belly Button Piercing Jewellery: Types and Sizes
Why is belly button jewellery a separate topic?
A belly button piercing passes through a thin fold of skin on the abdomen. During the day this area constantly bends and is pressed as you sit, stand, bend over or wear a belt or high-waisted clothes. If the shape, length and weight of the jewellery don’t suit these movements, the piercing gets irritated, healing takes longer and in some cases the jewellery can migrate towards the surface. That is why choosing belly button jewellery is a healing decision, not just a question of looks.
For the procedure itself, who it suits and aftercare, see our belly button piercing guide . This article covers jewellery types, sizes and which style to use at which stage.
Types of belly button piercing jewellery
| Type | Look | For a new piercing | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curved belly bar (banana) | A small ball or stone on top, a larger one at the bottom | Suitable, the standard starter jewellery | Follows the natural curve of the navel |
| Reverse belly bar (top-down) | Decoration or dangle on the top end, plain bottom end | After healing | Preferred for people with a defined upper navel fold |
| Dangling belly bar | A chain, stone or figure hanging from the bottom end | After healing | Higher weight and snagging risk |
| Belly ring | A ring encircling the edge of the navel | After healing | Moves more, can catch on clothing |
| Flexible pregnancy bar | Bendable, plain bar | In pregnancy, in a healed piercing | Used to reduce pressure as the belly grows |
Which jewellery for a new belly button piercing?
In a fresh piercing, mostly a 1.6 mm thick, simple straight or curved bar is used. The bar is chosen long enough to handle the swelling of the first weeks. A small top ball and a slightly larger bottom ball suit the shape of the navel. If you prefer a jewelled style, the stone should be securely set, with no protrusions that can catch and a smooth surface.
Once the swelling goes down, a bar that stays longer than necessary makes the jewellery move and catch on clothing. That is why in the first months we do a check-up at the studio and, if needed, switch to a shorter bar (downsizing).
Belly button jewellery sizes
- Thickness: Most belly button jewellery is 1.6 mm. Thinner jewellery can cut into the hole in this weight-bearing area. For units, see gauge and length guide .
- Bar length: In a healed piercing, 8–10 mm suits most people; at the start a slightly longer bar is chosen to allow for swelling. The exact size depends on the thickness of the tissue.
- Ball size: A small top ball (about 4–5 mm) and a larger bottom ball (about 6–8 mm) are common.
- Hoop diameter: In a healed piercing, rings with a 10–12 mm inner diameter are mostly used.
Choosing the material
Surgical steelis the standard jewellery included in the price of a belly button piercing at our studio. Steel contains a very small amount of nickel; if you have a nickel sensitivity, tell us before the procedure (nickel allergy and piercing jewelry).
Gold belly jewellery is a popular choice in a healed piercing. Because plated jewellery can wear off over time, it is important to know the difference between plating and solid gold (solid gold, vermeil and plating). Gold jewellery is priced separately depending on the style.
Silver and cheap jewellery with unknown plating should not go into a fresh belly button piercing; it can tarnish and cause irritation (is silver jewelry suitable for a fresh piercing).
When can you switch to dangling jewellery?
Dangling belly jewellery is the style people ask about most. The hanging part adds weight and pulls the hole downwards with every movement. While the hole is still healing, this pulling force can cause irritation, prolonged discharge and sometimes stretching of the hole. That is why you wait for healing to be complete before wearing a dangling style. A belly button piercing takes about 6–12 months to heal; the right approach is to switch once there is no discharge, crusting or tenderness and the studio has checked it.
Even in a healed piercing, wearing dangling jewellery for special occasions, and alternating it with a plain bar, rather than constantly wearing it for sport, sleep and tight clothes, gives the tissue a rest.
Belly button jewellery during pregnancy
In pregnancy, the skin of the navel stretches as the belly grows, and a rigid bar can create pressure. Some people remove the jewellery completely during this time; others switch to a flexible pregnancy bar. Which is suitable varies from person to person; if you feel discomfort, redness or tightness, don’t force the jewellery and talk to your doctor. Getting a new belly button piercing during pregnancy is not recommended.
Things to watch when changing belly button jewellery
- Have the first change done at the studio; you will see the angle and direction of the bar.
- Know which end of the bar unscrews; threaded ends usually open anticlockwise. For details, see internally threaded and threadless jewellery article.
- Insert the jewellery from top to bottom, in the natural direction of the hole; don’t force it.
- There may be brief redness after a change; if pain, swelling or discharge persist, check the signs in the infection or irritation article.
Common mistakes
- Putting a dangling or ring style in a new piercing.
- Continuing with the long bar after the swelling has gone down.
- Constant pressure on the hole from belts, high-waisted trousers and tight leggings.
- Continuing to wear jewellery with missing stones or a scratched surface.
- Not noticing the jewellery moving towards the surface: if the skin over the hole is getting thinner, it may be a sign of migration .
Belly button piercing and jewellery at our studio
At Cadde Piercing Studio, navel piercing is 750 TL; standard surgical steel jewelry is included in the price. The piercing is done with a sterile, single-use needle. For downsizing, a jewelry change or to check whether your navel anatomy is suitable, you can visit our studio in Ümraniye Çarşı (İstiklal Mah. Mithatpaşa Cad. No:7B); book an appointment or Message us on WhatsApp. All prices on the prices page.
This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice. Ask your piercer or doctor about your personal situation.
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FAQ
Can I wear dangling jewellery in a new belly button piercing?
Not recommended. The dangling part adds weight and pulls the hole down; switch after healing is complete, with a check at the studio.
What size is belly button piercing jewellery?
Belly jewellery is mostly 1.6 mm thick. In a healed piercing the bar length is 8–10 mm for most people; a longer bar is used at the start to allow for swelling.
When should belly button jewellery be changed?
Once the swelling goes down, the long bar can be shortened. For a change of style, wait for healing to be complete; a belly button piercing takes about 6–12 months to heal.
What is a reverse belly bar?
A belly bar with the decoration or dangle on the top end and a plain bottom end. It is preferred by people with a defined upper navel fold.
Should belly jewellery be removed during pregnancy?
It varies from person to person. Some remove the jewellery, others switch to a flexible pregnancy bar. If there is tightness, redness or pain, don’t force it and talk to your doctor.
Is jewelry included in the navel piercing price?
Yes. Navel piercing at our studio is 750 TL and standard surgical steel jewelry is included in the price.
Not sure? For a short consultation at the studio, book an appointment or ask us on WhatsApp.
Browse jewellery for belly piercings
This content is for general information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.