Jewelry
What's the best material for my jewelry? What the heck is press-fit jewelry? Labret or barbell, what's the difference? Here we explain everything you need to know about body jewelry, which ones are recommended for initial piercings, which ones you can use after healing, and of course some tips. But first, let's talk about materials.
Materials suitable for jewelry used in initial piercings must have excellent biocompatibility. This means the jewelry should not oxidize or chip, and should not cause allergic reactions. The jewelry must also always be autoclavable. In other words, must be sterilizable. All the jewelry we offer for initial piercings has quality certificates (which you can check at the studio).
Mechanics
Different jewelry styles have different mechanics. Don't worry, it's quite simple to understand. We explain everything here.
Press-fit
This type of mechanics uses tension to hold the jewelry together. Underneath the end there is a pin that, once bent, fits into the post, using tension to keep the jewelry in place.
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Insert half of the pin into the post.
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Bend the pin (the more you bend it, the tighter the fit will be).
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Insert the entire pin into the post.
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Pull the end out of the post. If it's too tight, make a slight rotating motion.
Captive
This type of mechanics uses tension to secure the ball in the ring. Also known as a captive bead ring, or CBR.
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Place the ball's indentation on the end of the ring.
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Fit the end of the ring into the ball's indentation.
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Check that it is properly fitted.
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To remove it, reverse step 2. Use gloves and tweezers to slightly widen the ring if it is proving too difficult.
Continuous
This type of mechanics isn't exactly a mechanic. The ring has a groove so it can be inserted into the piercing.
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Hold each end of the ring with one hand.
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Slightly twist the ring to separate the ends.
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Slightly twist the ring to align the ends.
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Never pull on the ends of the ring! Doing so will damage the jewelry.
Thread
This type of mechanics uses a thread to hold the jewelry together. Quality jewelry uses a threaded end. If your jewelry has an externally threaded post, then it is not of good quality.
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Insert the end thread onto the post.
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Screw it gently to the right.
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Do not overtighten (the tighter you tighten it, the harder it will be to remove the jewelry).
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Unscrew to the left. Use gloves for a better grip.
Segment
This type of mechanics uses a removable piece that fits into the ring and gives the illusion of being continuous.
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Insert the end of the piece into the end of the ring.
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Fit the end of the piece onto the ring, using light pressure.
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Check that it is properly fitted.
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To remove it, reverse step 2. Use gloves and tweezers to slightly widen the ring if it is proving too difficult.
Articulated
This type of mechanics uses a built-in joint to open and close the jewelry. Also known as a clicker.
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Lift the joint.
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Seat the joint in the groove.
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Tighten until you hear a "click".
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If you don't hear a "click", don't force it. Realign the two pieces and reseat the joint in the groove.
Types
Jewelry comes in a myriad of shapes and designs. We're sure you've heard of barbells, labrets, navels, and others. But do you look at jewelry and it all seems the same? Don't worry, just read carefully what we have to say.
Barbell
Curved Barbell
Navel
Circular Barbell
Spiral
Barbells are the classic body jewelry and remain a mainstay of the piercing industry today. A barbell is characterized by a post with a removable end at each post end. Barbells have different names depending on their curvature. The navel barbell is used exclusively for navel piercings, hence its name. Unlike other barbells, the navel has a fixed end at one of the post ends.
Captive
Segment
Continuous
Articulated
Rings are very likely the oldest type of jewelry. Rings have different names depending on the type of mechanic. The captive, also known as a captive bead ring or CBR, uses a ball; the segment uses two pieces; the continuous is a single piece that twists; and the articulated uses a joint.
Labret
End
Chain
Pendant
The labret and all the jewelry that accompanies it. The labret is the ideal piece of jewelry for initial piercings. The labret is very similar to a barbell, but at one end it has a fixed base. This base is essential for proper healing because it fits comfortably against the skin. The end is the piece that fits onto the end of the labret or barbell. The chain and pendant are accessories that help to elevate the jewelry.
Tunnel and Plug
Weight
These are specific jewelry pieces for large gauge piercings. The tunnel and the plug are identical in shape, but the tunnel is hollow inside and the plug is opaque. The weight hangs from the piercing. In addition to these pieces, it is also possible to use rings and barbells in large gauge piercings.
Surface
Dermal
Surface and dermal piercings belong to a special category of piercings. These jewels remain completely inside the skin, with only the end being replaceable. The surface is a variation of the barbell, where the post is flattened and the ends are angled at 90 degrees. The dermal uses a flattened base, called an anchor, that remains inside the skin and a 90-degree angled end. It is not advisable to remove the surface or the dermal at home. We provide this service.
Measuring
Want to change your jewelry? It's perfectly normal to want to update your jewelry. After all, jewelry reflects your personality and state of mind. But it's important to know how to measure jewelry so you can make informed purchases. When measuring jewelry, there are three factors to consider: thickness, length, and diameter.
Thickness
To determine the thickness of the jewelry, you have to measure the thickness of the post or ring.
Length and Diameter
To determine the length of a post, you have to measure the distance between the ends. To find the diameter of a ring, you have to measure the inside distance of the ring.
Tips
Here are some always welcome tips for safely changing your jewelry. And most importantly, to help you avoid losing your jewelry!