Every piercing location has its own shape, thickness and healing needs, so the best jewelry style changes from place to place. Use this guide to pick the right style for each piercing. It works whether you are building an ear stack or stocking a studio.
Ear piercings
Earlobe
The easiest piercing to dress. Flat-back labrets are comfortable for sleeping and phone calls. Small hoops and decorative tops work well once the lobe is healed.
Try: Flat-Back Jewelry, Rings & Hoops, Cubic Zirconia tops
Helix, flat and conch (cartilage)
Cartilage heals slowly and dislikes movement, so a flat-back labret in ASTM F136 titanium is the usual first choice. A longer post leaves room for swelling, and you can downsize later. Rings are best saved for fully healed cartilage.
Try: Flat-Back Jewelry, Threaded & Threadless Ends, CNC Carved tops
Tragus and daith
The tragus suits a short flat-back labret with a small top. The daith is usually fitted with a ring or clicker once healed.
Nose piercings
Nostril
A small flat-back labret holds securely and is easy to clean. Many people switch to a fitted nose ring after healing.
Try: Flat-Back Jewelry, Rings & Hoops
Septum
Clickers and seamless rings are the most popular choices for the septum. Choose an inner diameter that sits close to the nose without pressing.
Lip and face piercings
Labret, Monroe, Medusa and other lip piercings usually use a flat-back labret. The flat disc sits inside the mouth and protects teeth and gums. Keep the post length well fitted after healing to reduce contact with teeth.
Try: Posts & Barbells, Threaded & Threadless Ends
Navel
The navel is typically pierced at 14G with a curved barbell (navel ring). Decorative dangles and gem settings are popular for healed navels.
Try: Navel Jewelry
Tongue and nipple
These piercings are usually fitted with a straight barbell, commonly 14G. A longer bar is used during healing and replaced with a shorter one afterwards.
Try: Posts & Barbells
Quick reference
| Piercing | First jewelry | After healing |
|---|---|---|
| Earlobe | Flat-back labret | Hoops, decorative tops |
| Helix / flat / conch | Flat-back labret | Rings, larger tops |
| Tragus | Short flat-back labret | Gem or carved top |
| Nostril | Flat-back labret | Nose ring |
| Septum | Ring or clicker | Decorative clicker |
| Lip / labret | Flat-back labret | Shorter fitted post |
| Navel | Curved barbell | Dangle navel ring |
| Tongue / nipple | Straight barbell | Shorter barbell |
For sizes in millimetres, see our Body Jewelry Size Guide. For initial piercings, always follow your professional piercer’s advice and choose ASTM F136 titanium.
