When it comes to body jewelry, understanding piercing gauges and sizing is essential for comfort, safety, and style. Whether you’re new to body piercings or looking to expand your collection, this guide will help you navigate the world of piercing gauges and jewelry sizing. Your piercer should be able to guide you to where to purchase new jewelry and can even switch them out for you for the ones that are harder to reach such as tragus, rook, and daith. Be sure to follow all aftercare procedures carefully to get the best results and be able to love your piercing as long as you wish!
What are piercing gauges? Understanding the basics.
The term "gauge" refers to the thickness of body jewelry. The gauge size indicates the diameter of the jewelry shaft that goes through the piercing. Unlike most measurement systems, the gauge system is counterintuitive: the smaller the number, the thicker the jewelry. For example, a 14-gauge piece of jewelry is thicker than a 20-gauge piece.
Common Gauge Sizes
20G (0.8 mm): Sometimes used for ear piercings (lobes- especially micro piercings such as constellation styling)
18G (1.0 mm): Common for nose, helix (cartilage), and other ear piercings.
16G (1.2 mm): Suitable for lip, eyebrow, and some cartilage piercings.
14G (1.6 mm): Frequently used for navel, tongue, and industrial piercings.
12G (2.0 mm) and above: Typically used for stretched piercings.
Why Gauge Size Matters
Choosing the right gauge size is crucial for healing and comfort. Using jewelry that’s too thin can cause irritation and migration, while jewelry that’s too thick can be painful and may not fit properly in the piercing hole. Be sure to find out what gauge size was used to pierce the body before buying new jewelry, and unless you’re wanting to stretch the piercing which takes caution, buy only jewelry of that size.
How to Measure Gauge Sizes
Measuring with a Gauge Wheel
A gauge wheel is a tool with holes of various sizes, allowing you to find the exact gauge of your jewelry by fitting it into the corresponding hole.
Using Calipers
Calipers are precise measuring tools that can measure the thickness of your jewelry in millimeters. This measurement can then be converted to gauge size using a gauge conversion chart. This can also be helpful in finding the measurement in millimeters of the stone size so you can increase or decrease as desired.
Jewelry Lengths and Diameters
Beyond gauge, jewelry sizing also involves length (for straight jewelry like barbells) and diameter (for circular jewelry like rings).
Length: Measured between the balls or ends of barbells.
Diameter: Measured across the widest part of hoops or circular barbells.
Common Lengths and Diameters
Barbells: Typically range from 6mm (1/4 inch) to 50mm (2 inches) in length.
Rings: Usually range from 6mm (1/4 inch) to 19mm (3/4 inch) in diameter.
Choosing the Right Jewelry Size
Consider the Piercing Location
Different piercings require different jewelry sizes. For instance, a lip piercing may use a shorter barbell compared to a tongue piercing, which needs extra length to accommodate swelling.
Account for Swelling
For new piercings, it’s essential to choose jewelry with a bit of extra length or diameter to allow for swelling. Once the piercing has healed, you can switch to a snugger fit. Failure to downzise the bar after healing can lead to migration, inflammation, and can make the healing process even longer.
Professional Help
Consult a professional piercer to determine the appropriate gauge, length, and diameter for your specific piercing. They can also assist with measuring your existing jewelry accurately.
Understanding piercing gauges and jewelry sizing is vital for anyone with body piercings. Properly sized jewelry not only ensures comfort and promotes healing but also enhances the overall appearance of your piercings. Always consult with a professional piercer for advice tailored to your unique needs and enjoy exploring the diverse world of body jewelry with confidence!
If you’re interested in adding some new sparkle to your collection, our piercers at Bold Beauty Company in Old Town Scottsdale would love the opportunity to take care of you!