Types of Jewelry
Here, you’ll find clear and concise information about the various types of body jewelry we offer, including barbells, rings, plugs, weights, labrets, and more. Learn what each piece is, the common materials they’re made from (like surgical steel, titanium, and organic options), and the piercings they’re best suited for, along with key tips for comfort and care. Whether you’re new to body jewelry or a seasoned enthusiast, this guide will help you understand the terminology and make informed choices for your unique style and piercing needs.
Click on the type below to jump to a section.
Barbells - Labret - Rings - Nose Studs - Pin Ends - Retainers
Plugs and Large Gauge Jewelry
Single Flare - Double Flare - Eyelets - Shapes - Hangers
Barbells
Barbells are versatile body jewelry pieces consisting of a straight or curved bar with removable ends, typically balls or decorative charms. Barbells may be threaded or threadless for pin ends.
- Straight barbells are a single straight shaft, ideal for tongue, nipple, or industrial ear piercings.
- Curved barbells have a gentle bend, commonly used for navel, eyebrow, or intimate piercings.
- Circular barbells form a horseshoe shape, perfect for septum, lip, or cartilage piercings. They’re often made from surgical steel, titanium, or gold for durability and hypoallergenic properties.
Ensure proper sizing to avoid irritation, and check threading (internal or external) for secure fastening.
Labret
Labret jewelry is a type of body jewelry featuring a flat-back post with a decorative end, originally designed for lip piercings but versatile for other areas. They typically consist of a short bar with a flat disc or ball on one end (worn inside the mouth or against the skin) and a removable charm, gem, or spike on the visible end that may be threaded or threadless.
Common materials include surgical steel, titanium, or 14k gold for hypoallergenic and durable wear, with some featuring acrylic or biocompatible plastic for comfort. Labrets are most commonly used for lip piercings (e.g., lower lip, Monroe, or Medusa), but also suit ear piercings like the tragus or conch.
Ensure the post length and gauge (usually 16g-14g) match your piercing to avoid irritation, and clean regularly, especially for oral piercings, to prevent healing issues.
Rings
Rings are circular jewelry pieces designed for various piercings.
- Captive bead rings (CBRs) feature a removable bead held by tension, popular for ear, lip, or septum piercings.
- Fixed bead rings have a non-removable bead, offering a seamless look for nose or cartilage.
- Seamless rings are continuous loops without beads, ideal for a sleek appearance in septum or lip piercings.
Common materials include surgical steel, titanium, or niobium for sensitive skin. Choose the right diameter and gauge to ensure comfort and proper fit.
Nose Studs
Nose studs are small, discreet jewelry pieces designed specifically for nostril piercings, offering a subtle yet stylish look. They come in two main types: nostril screws and flat back barbells with pin ends.
Common materials include surgical steel, titanium, or 14k gold for hypoallergenic properties and durability, with decorative ends featuring gemstones, balls, or flat discs.
Ensure proper fit and gauge (typically 18g-20g) to avoid irritation or migration, and clean regularly to maintain hygiene.
- Nostril screws are nose studs with a curved or corkscrew-shaped post that twists into the piercing and secures with a small decorative end. The spiral design helps keep the stud in place, making them ideal for nostril piercings. They’re often made from surgical steel or titanium, with some featuring gold or gemstone accents. Perfect for daily wear, they’re less likely to fall out but may require practice to insert comfortably. Choose a length that fits your nostril thickness to prevent discomfort.
- Flat back barbells or Labrets with pin ends are nose studs featuring a straight post with a flat disc on the inside of the nostril and a removable decorative pin end (e.g., gem or ball) on the outside. They use a threadless system, where the pin slides into a hollow barbell and secures via tension, making them easy to swap. Commonly made from titanium or surgical steel, they’re ideal for nostril piercings, offering a secure fit and sleek look. Ensure the post length matches your piercing to avoid irritation.
Pin Ends for Threadless Barbells
Pin ends are decorative attachments used with threadless barbells, a type of body jewelry where the end piece has a thin pin that slides into a hollow barbell shaft or labret and secures via tension, eliminating the need for threading.
Commonly made from surgical steel, titanium, or gold for hypoallergenic and durable wear, pin ends come in various designs like gemstones, spikes, or flat discs.
They’re used in piercings such as ear cartilage, nose, or lip, where threadless barbells are favored for easy swapping and secure fit.
Ensure the pin end matches the barbell’s gauge and is properly inserted to prevent loss or irritation.
Retainers
Retainers are discreet body jewelry designed to keep piercings open while being less noticeable, often used during situations like work, sports, or medical procedures where visible jewelry is impractical.
They’re typically made from clear or flesh-toned materials like biocompatible plastic (e.g., BioFlex), silicone, or glass, which are hypoallergenic and flexible for comfort.
Common uses include nose, lip, tongue, or ear piercings. Retainers come in shapes like straight bars, curved bars, or studs, depending on the piercing.
Choose the correct size and material to ensure comfort and avoid irritation, especially for prolonged wear.
Plugs and Large Gauge Jewelry for Ears
Plugs and large gauge jewelry are designed for stretched earlobes and a few other less common cartilage piercings such as conch or nostrils, typically worn in larger gauge piercings (8g and up).
Common materials include surgical steel, titanium, organic materials like wood or stone, and acrylic for lightweight options. Sizes ranging from small to several inches.
Always stretch piercings gradually and choose non-porous materials for long-term wear to avoid irritation or infection.
Single Flare Plugs
Single flare plugs are cylindrical pieces with one flared end and a flat end, often secured with an O-ring on the flat side to keep them in place. They’re easier to insert than double flare plugs, making them ideal for newer or still-healing stretched lobes.
Made from materials like surgical steel, titanium, glass, or organic materials, they come in various gauges.
Ensure the O-ring is secure to prevent slipping, and choose a gauge that matches your lobe size for a comfortable fit.
Double Flare Plugs
Double flare plugs have flared edges on both ends, creating a saddle-like shape that holds the jewelry securely in stretched earlobes without additional hardware. They’re popular for fully healed piercings due to their snug fit but may require careful insertion to avoid stretching or discomfort.
Available in surgical steel, titanium, acrylic, or organic materials like wood or stone, they offer a wide range of decorative designs.
Select the correct gauge and flare size to ensure comfort and avoid lobe damage.
Eyelets
Eyelets, also known as tunnels, are hollow, open-centered cylinders that create a see-through effect in stretched earlobes.
They can be single or double flared and are often made from surgical steel, titanium, or lightweight acrylic. Eyelets are popular for their minimalist look and ability to showcase the stretched piercing.
They’re best for fully healed lobes, as the open design requires proper sizing to stay secure.
Clean regularly to prevent buildup inside the tunnel.
Teardrops and Ovals
Teardrop and oval plugs are non-cylindrical large gauge jewelry with unique shapes, adding an artistic flair to stretched earlobes.
Teardrops have a tapered, droplet-like design, while ovals are elongated and rounded. Often crafted from organic materials like wood or stone, or metals like titanium and surgical steel, these shapes are typically double flared for secure wear.
They’re ideal for fully healed lobes and require precise gauge sizing to avoid discomfort. Choose lightweight materials for larger sizes to prevent lobe strain.
Large Gauge Hangers and Weights for Lobes
Large gauge hangers are decorative jewelry for stretched earlobes, designed for 8g+ piercings. They feature ornamental designs that hang below the lobe, adding a bold statement.
They’re commonly made from materials like surgical steel, titanium, organic materials (e.g., wood, bone, or horn), or lightweight acrylic to reduce strain on the lobe.
Used exclusively for stretched earlobes, they require careful sizing to match the gauge and ensure comfort.
Avoid overly heavy hangers to prevent lobe stretching or tearing, and clean regularly to maintain hygiene.
Weights are large gauge jewelry for stretched earlobes, 8g+, with heavier designs in materials like steel, titanium, brass, or stone. Start light and increase weight carefully to prevent damage.