BODY JEWELLERY 101
Your go-to guide to
piercing placements, styles, and sizing
*Claire’s does not perform all piercing types in-store. See piercing page for details.
GAUGE
14G
16G
18G
20G
22G
The smaller the number, the thicker the gAUge
Tragus - 20G, 18G, 16G
Daith - 16G
Rook - 20G, 18G, 16G
Forward Helix - 20G, 18G, 16G
Industrial - 16G, 14G
Helix (Cartliage) - 20G, 18G, 16G
Conch - 18G, 16G
Anti-Tragus - 20G, 18G, 16G
Lobe - 20G, 18G
Septum - 18G, 16G
Nostril - 22G, 20G, 18G
Belly - 14G
Tongue - 14G
Labret - 18G, 16G, 14G
Lip - 16G, 14G
Eyebrow - 16G, 14G
4MM
5/32”
5MM
3/16”
6MM
1/4”
8MM
5/16”
10MM
3/8”
DIAMETER
3/16”
(4.88mm)
1/4”
(6.4mm)
5/16”
(7.9mm)
3/8”
(9.5mm)
7/16”
(11mm)
1/2”
(13mm)
9/16”
(14.3mm)
5/8”
(16mm)
3/4”
(19mm)
7/8”
(22mm)
A piercing through the center of the ear’s cartilage.
Suggested Gauges:
18G, 16G
Suggested Hoop Sizes:
9MM to 13MM
Earring Types:
Flatback earrings, straight barbells, horseshoes & hoops
Materials Offered:
- 18KT Gold Plated Titanium
- Titanium
- Sterling Silver
- Stainless Steel
A cartilage piercing in the middle outer edge of the ear.
Suggested Gauges:
20G, 18G, 16G
Suggested Hoop Sizes:
5MM to 8MM
Earring Types:
Flatback earrings, straight barbells, horseshoes & hoops
Materials Offered:
- 18KT Gold Plated Titanium
- Titanium
- Sterling Silver
- Stainless Steel
A piercing in the innermost fold of your cartilage, adjacent to the ear canal.
Suggested Gauges:
16G
Suggested Hoop Sizes:
8MM to 10MM
Earring Types:
Hoops & barbells
Materials Offered:
- Titanium
- Stainless Steel
A piercing in the small outer rim of the cartilage at the top & front of the ear.
Suggested Gauges:
20G, 18G, 16G
Suggested Hoop Sizes:
5MM to 6.5MM
Earring Types:
Flatback earrings & hoops
Materials Offered:
- 18KT Gold Plated Titanium
- Titanium
- Sterling Silver
- Stainless Steel
A piercing through the small, curved piece of skin above the ear lobe.
Suggested Gauges:
20G, 18G, 16G
Suggested Hoop Sizes:
5MM to 8MM
Earring Types:
Flatback earrings, straight barbells & hoops
Materials Offered:
- 18KT Gold Plated Titanium
- Titanium
- Sterling Silver
- Stainless Steel
A piercing in the small piece of cartilage that covers your ear canal.
Suggested Gauges:
20G, 18G, 16G
Suggested Hoop Sizes:
5MM to 8MM
Earring Types:
Flatback earrings & hoops
Materials Offered:
- 18KT Gold Plated Titanium
- Titanium
- Sterling Silver
- Stainless Steel
The rook is a cartilage piercing of the anti-helix, the horizontal fold that sits just above the tragus.
Suggested Gauges:
20G, 18G, 16G
Suggested Hoop Sizes:
5MM to 8MM
Earring Types:
Curved barbells and hoops
Materials Offered:
- 18KT Gold Plated Titanium
- Titanium
- Sterling Silver
- Stainless Steel
Two piercings in the upper ear cartilage connected by one piece of jewellery.
Suggested Gauges:
16G, 14G
Suggested Hoop Sizes:
5MM to 8MM
Earring Types:
Industrial bars
Materials Offered:
- Titanium
- Stainless Steel
(CARTILAGE)
Any piercing through the ear’s upper cartilage.
Suggested Gauges:
20G, 18G, 16G
Suggested Hoop Sizes:
6MM to 8MM
Earring Types:
Flatback earrings, straight barbells, horseshoes & hoops
Materials Offered:
- 18KT Gold Plated Titanium
- Titanium
- Sterling Silver
- Stainless Steel
The most common nose piercing which is made through the center of the nostril.
Suggested Gauges:
22G, 20G, 18G
Suggested Hoop Sizes:
8MM to 12MM
Jewellery Types:
L-bends, bones, screws, threadless styles, straight pins & hoops
Materials Offered:
- 18KT Gold Plated Titanium
- Titanium
- Stainless Steel
- Sterling Silver
A piercing through the soft tissue of the thin wall of cartilage and skin that separates the nostrils.
Suggested Gauges:
18G, 16G
Suggested Hoop Sizes:
8MM to 12MM
Jewellery Types:
Hoops
Materials Offered:
- 18KT Gold Plated Titanium
- Titanium
- Stainless Steel
- Sterling Silver
A piercing through the lower lip, right above the chin.
Suggested Gauges:
18G, 16G, 14G
Suggested Hoop Sizes:
8MM to 11MM
Jewellery Types:
Flatbacks, curved barbells & hoops
Materials Offered:
- 18KT Gold Plated Titanium
- Titanium
- Stainless Steel
A piercing that goes through or around the lips (upper, lower or middle lip).
Suggested Gauges:
16G, 14G
Suggested Hoop Sizes:
8MM to 11MM
Jewellery Types:
Flatback, curved barbells, horseshoes & hoops
Materials Offered:
- 18KT Gold Plated Titanium
- Titanium
- Stainless Steel
A piercing done vertically through the muscles in the center of the mouth.
Suggested Gauges:
14G
Jewellery Types:
Barbells
Materials Offered:
- Titanium
- Stainless Steel
A piercing of the skin that goes through the navel.
Suggested Gauges:
14G
Suggested Hoop Sizes:
8MM to 12MM
Jewellery Types:
Clicker & regular belly rings
Materials Offered:
- 18KT Gold Plated Titanium
- Titanium
- Stainless Steel
A piercing through the skin of the eyebrow, with one end above the brow ridge and the other below the outer curve.
Suggested Gauges:
16G, 14G
Suggested Hoop Sizes:
8MM to 11MM
Jewellery Types:
Curved barbells & hoops
Materials Offered:
- 18KT Gold Plated Titanium
- Titanium
- Stainless Steel
INTERNALLY
THREADED
Has threading on the inside
of the post, with a screw mechanism on
the design side of the jewellery.
THREADLESS
FLATBACK
Instead of using threads, this design relies
on tension to secure the two pieces.
The design end features a thin pin that fits into
the post, and you bend the pin inside the post
to create the tension.
EXTERNALLY
THREADED
Has threading on the inside of the
design side of the jewellery, with the post serving as the screw to connect the two pieces.
CLICKER
HOOP
The seamless design of the clasp
ensures
that the connection between the
two parts
is flush and smooth, with no visible
gaps,
creating a sleek and elegant finish.
HOW TO USE THREADLESS JEWELLERY
Insert the earring post through the back of your ear. Once the post is visible at the front of your piercing, insert the pin slightly into the post and follow the below steps:
- Bend the pin to create tension. *Be cautious not to bend it too sharply, as this may prevent you from adjusting the fit later.*
- Once the pin is bent, pull the top out from the post,
then re-insert and push the pin all the way into the post.
Tip: If it's too tight, adjust the bend for a more comfortable fit.
To Remove: Hold front and back of earring with either hand, gently pull the pin out from the post and remove the post from the back of your ear.
How to Wear Threaded Flatbacks
Insert the earring post through the back of your ear.
Once the post is visible at the front of your piercing,
attach the design top to the post and follow the below steps:
- Hold the earring with both hands—one hand on the base of the post, and the other on the design top.
- Screw the design top by rotating it counterclockwise.
To Remove: Hold earring with both hands and unscrew top from post, once disconnected remove post from the back of your ear.
How to USE CLICKER HOOPS
The seamless design of the clasp ensures that the connection between the two parts is flush and smooth, with no visible gaps, creating a sleek and elegant finish.
- Gently open the hinged segment of the hoop by pulling it upwards.
- Slide the open part of the hoop through your piercing, ensuring the open segment is on the outside.
- Close the hoop by pressing the two sides together until you hear a distinct "click," indicating that it is securely fastened.
To Remove: Locate the hinges on hoop, then with both hands hold hoop in place, pull the hinged segment upwards and slide hoop out of your ear.
STYLES FOR
EVERY PIERCING
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