Piercing jewelry guide: types, materials and connection styles
Jewelry types
- Labret: a bar with a flat back disc and a decorative top. Common for earlobe, cartilage and nose.
- Barbell: a straight bar with a ball or stone at each end.
- Hoop (captive bead ring): a ring with a bead held in its gap; preferred for healed piercings.
- Segment and clicker: a hinged ring.
- Seamless: a ring with a seamless look.
- Ear cuff: a curved piece that needs no piercing.
Material
- Implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136 / ISO 5832-3): the most common and safe choice for fresh piercings; nickel-free.
- Implant-grade steel (ASTM F138 / ISO 5832-1): contains a small amount of nickel; titanium is preferred if you are sensitive.
- Solid gold (14k and above, nickel-free): choose solid gold, not plated or vermeil.
- Niobium (ASTM B392): nickel-free and can be colored.
Connection type
Internally threaded and push-pin (threadless) jewelry is recommended: the bar is smooth and doesn't stress the tissue as it passes through. Externally threaded jewelry is not used in fresh piercings.