When you want to change your jewelry, clean it or just check whether the ball is loose, a tiny ball sometimes will not budge. Your fingers slip, the jewelry spins and the piercing gets sore. Most of the time the problem is not a lack of strength but not knowing how the jewelry is fastened. In this guide you will learn how to tell jewelry types apart, how to open each type step by step, what to do with a stuck ball and when you should not touch the jewelry at all.
First, identify the type of jewelry
On piercing jewelry, the ball or decorative end is fastened in three different ways. Starting to twist without knowing which type you have is the most common cause of a stuck ball. For more detail on jewelry types, see internally threaded, threadless and externally threaded jewelry guide.
| Jewellery type | How does it hold? | How is it removed? |
|---|---|---|
| Externally threaded | The threads are on the bar, and the ball screws onto them. | The ball is turned counterclockwise. |
| Internally threaded | The threaded pin is inside the ball, and the end of the bar has a threaded socket. | The ball is turned counterclockwise. |
| Threadless (push-pin) | The slightly bent pin of the end holds inside the bar by friction. | The end is not turned but pulled straight out. |
| Clicker ring | A hinged segment snaps into a lock. | The hinged segment opens outward. |
| Segment ring | A piece of the ring stays in place by tension. | The segment is removed sideways. |
| Captive bead ring | The bead is held between the two ends by the tension of the ring. | The ring is opened slightly to remove the bead. |
A practical tip: if the ball keeps spinning when you turn it but never loosens, you most likely have threadless jewelry. Twisting does not work with this type; the right move is to pull.
How to remove the ball on threaded (internally and externally threaded) jewelry?
- Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them well. Wet or oily fingers cannot grip a small ball.
- If possible, wear disposable latex or nitrile gloves; gloves noticeably improve grip.
- Hold the other end of the bar (the disc back or the other ball) still with one hand. If the bar turns, the ball will never loosen.
- Slowly turn the ball counterclockwise as you look at it. Ear, nose or lip, the rule is the same: lefty loosey, righty tighty.
- When the ball comes off, close the sink drain or lay a clean towel on your work surface; small parts are easily lost.
To put it back, do the reverse: turn the ball clockwise until finger-tight. Over-tightening makes the next opening harder, and leaving it loose can lead to losing the ball. Checking the balls every few days is a good habit.
How to remove the end on threadless jewelry?
On threadless jewelry, the thin pin of the end is slightly bent and pressed into the bar, where it stays in place by friction. Hold the bar or disc back still and pull the end straight toward you. If needed, a very slight side-to-side movement while pulling helps, but trying to open the end by twisting will not work. When inserting, the bend of the pin determines how tightly the end holds; if you do not know how to adjust it, it is safer to have a new threadless end fitted at the studio.
How to open a ring piercing?
- Clicker ring: Pull the hinged segment outward with your fingernail or fingertip; it opens with a click. To close it, press the segment back into the lock until you hear a click.
- Segment ring: The removable part of the ring is pulled out sideways. Do not try to open the ring by bending it up and down; it will lose its shape and never sit properly again.
- Captive bead ring: The bead sits between the two ends thanks to the tension of the ring. On thicker rings, removing the bead usually requires ring-opening pliers. Forcing it at home can deform the ring; it is better to leave changes of this type of ring to the studio.
For area-specific steps such as flipping a septum ring or inserting nose jewelry, see our how to flip a septum ring and how to insert nose piercing jewelry guides.
What to do if the ball is stuck?
A ball can get stuck when it has not been removed for a long time, has been over-tightened or has dried crust around it. Try the following in order:
- First soak the area with sterile saline solution to soften the crust around it, then pat dry with clean gauze. For choosing saline, see saline solution guide.
- Grip the ball with a dry glove or by wrapping it in clean, dry gauze; the gauze keeps your fingers from slipping.
- Make sure the other end of the bar is really staying still. Some cases that seem stuck are actually the bar turning together with the ball.
- If it does not loosen after a few tries, stop. If the area has become red or sore, let it rest for a day.
Do not use tools such as pliers, tweezers or scissors. If a tool slips it can injure the tissue and scratch the surface of the jewelry, and a scratched surface is more prone to holding bacteria and dirt. Having a ball that will not come off after a few tries opened at the studio with the right tools is the safest way.
When you should not touch the jewelry at all
- Fresh piercing: Removing the jewelry completely before healing is complete can irritate the channel and make the hole shrink quickly. For the first change and downsizing, see when to change piercing jewelry and downsizing guide.
- Suspected infection: If there is increasing pain, warmth, spreading redness or dark-coloured discharge, do not remove the jewelry yourself and see a doctor. To tell the difference, see infection or irritation.
- If the jewelry is sinking into the tissue: If the disc back or ball is sinking into the tissue, do not force it; go to the studio or a doctor. Details: embedded piercing jewellery.
If you are wondering how quickly a hole can close, take a look at our do piercings close article as well.
Jewelry change at the studio
At our studio in Ümraniye Çarşı we can open a stuck ball, check the condition of your jewelry and change it if needed. Our standard jewelry is surgical steel. If you prefer titanium, titanium jewelry costs 350 TL; if titanium jewelry is used during a piercing, 350 TL is added to the piercing price (example: helix 450 + 350 = 800 TL). For all piercing prices, see price list.
If you are not sure about your jewelry type, send us a photo along with your question ask us on WhatsApp or visit our studio at İstiklal Mah. Mithatpaşa Cad. No:7B, Ümraniye Çarşı. We are open Mon–Sat 10:00–20:30 and Sunday 11:00–20:00.
FAQ
Which way do you turn a piercing ball to remove it?
On threaded (internally or externally threaded) jewelry, the ball is loosened by turning it counterclockwise as you look at it, and tightened by turning it clockwise. In short: lefty loosey, righty tighty.
What kind of jewelry is it if the ball spins but will not come off?
If the end keeps spinning but does not loosen, the jewelry is most likely a threadless (push-pin) system. With this type the end is not turned; hold the bar still and pull the end straight out.
Can I open a stuck piercing ball with pliers?
It is not recommended. Pliers leave scratches, deform the jewelry and can injure the tissue if they slip. Dry hands, disposable rubber gloves and clean gauze usually give enough grip; if not, it is safer to go to the studio.
Can I remove the ball of a new piercing and change the jewelry?
Removing the jewelry completely before healing is complete can irritate the channel or make it shrink quickly. We recommend doing the first jewelry change or downsizing under your piercer’s supervision.
Should I remove the jewelry if I suspect an infection?
Do not remove it yourself. With signs such as redness, increasing pain, warmth and dark-coloured discharge, leave the jewelry in place and see a doctor; the doctor decides whether the jewelry should be removed.
How to open a ring piercing?
It depends on the type of ring: clicker rings open outward at the hinged segment, on segment rings the piece is removed sideways, and on captive bead rings the bead is held by the tension of the ring and ring-opening pliers are usually needed.
This content is for general information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.