MEASUREMENTS
Ear Lobe: Type.. Captive Bead Ring and Circular Barbell. Gauge..18G, 16G and 14G. Size...5/16" to 5/8".
Ear Cartilage: Type...Captive Bead Ring and Circular Barbell. Gauge...18G, 16G and 14G. Size...3/8" to 5/8".
Nose: Type...Captive Bead Ring. Gauge...18G. Size...5/16" to 1/2".
Nostril: Type...Nostril Screws and Nostril Bones. Gauge...20G for Screws and 18G for Bones. Size...1/4" to 1/2".
Septum: Type...Captive Bead Ring, Circular Barbell and Septum Retainer. Gauge...16G, 14G and 12G. Size...3/8" to 5/8".
Eyebrow: Type...Captive Bead Ring, Straight Barbell abd Curved Barbell. Gauge...18G and 16G. Size...3/8" to 5/8".
Tongue: Type...Straight Barbell. Gauge...14G. Size...7/8" to 1" for initial piercing. Sized to thickness of tongue, normally 5/8" to 1/2", after healing.
Lip: Type...Captive Bead Ring and Straight Barbell. Gauge...18G and 16G. Size...3/8" to 1/2".
Navel: Captive Bead Ring, Circular Barbell and Curved Barbell. Gauge...14G. Size...3/8" to 5/8", based on the distance between the two holes.
Below the Lower Lip (also known as "Marilyns"): Type...Labret Stud Gauge...14G. Size...5/16" to 1/2".
Nipples (female): Type...Captive Bead Ring and Circular Barbell. Gauge...14G and 12G. Size...1/2" to 3/4".
Nipples (male): Type...Captive Bead Ring, Circular Barbell and Straight Barbell. Gauge...14G and 12G. Size...1/2" to 5/8".
Clitoris: Type...Captive Bead Ring and Barbell Stud. Gauge...16G. Size...3/8" to 1/2".
Clitoris Hood: Type...Captive Bead Ring and Circular Barbell. Gauge...14G. Size...3/8" vertical or 1/2" to 5/8" horizontal.
Foreskin: Type...Captive Bead Ring and Circular Barbell. Gauge...12G. Size...5/8".
Dydoe: Type...Barbell Stud. Gauge...16G and 14G. Size...3/8" to 1/2".
Scrotum: Captive Bead Ring and Circular Barbell. Gauge...14G and 12G. Size...1/2" to 5/8".
MATERIALS
What metals are used for body jewelry?
Body jewelry can be found made out of many materials, the problem is some of them are harmful. Lets start with what you should use:
- Most of what you will see is 316L Stainless steel. 316 stands for the composition of the stainless steel. 316L is the same material the medical industry uses for implant/replacements.
- Titanium is a very strong metal, stronger than stainless steel and 45% lighter. Titanium does not react with our bodies, in fact, most people with metal sensitivities can wear titanium. We use grade 2 which is implant grade, the same material the medical industry uses for joint replacements as well as pins and rods. Titanium can be colored using a process called anodizing. Anodizing is a fast and simple electrical process that grows very thin transparent oxides on the surface of the reactive metals (titanium and niobium, see below). This film generates interference colors similar to the ones you see on an oily wet street. there are no pigments or dyes. It takes high voltage to produce the colors; different voltages give you different colors.
- Niobium is more rare in nature than titanium but in the the application of body jewelry basically the same.
- 14kt and 18kt gold are great metals for body jewelry. Make sure you only buy SOLID gold, not hollow tubing which can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Gold, no matter the karat is not recommended for initial piercings because gold is an alloy; it is made up of not only pure karat gold but base metals. The fluids secreted by a healing piercing cause corrosion of the base metals in the gold. I found this out personally with a nipple piercing that would not heal properly. Once I changed to titanium it healed fast and I have never had a problem with it.
- Lucite and Plexiglas are also used usually for ears and the balls on barbells. They come in a variety of colors and shapes making them more "fun".
Now what not to use:
- NEVER use sterling silver! Many people have the misconception that silver contains nickel which is indeed a toxic metal. There is no nickel in silver! There is however, a product called Nickel Silver, also known as German Silver but neither of these are used (or should every be used) for body jewelry. The reason silver shouldn't be used is that it corrodes when it comes in contact with sulfur which your body contains and this contact forms silver salt which is toxic
- Gold plated jewelry is made by electroplating a thin layer of gold onto a base metal, usually aluminum. Gold plate may look good and be a great price but the problem is after a while the plating will chip and flake and leave rough edges that can irritate a piercing and/or be a nice warm growing spot for bacteria.
- Gold filled jewelry is made by rolling a very thin layer of gold onto a base metal, usually stainless. But to get the gold to stick to the base metal they have to first under plate the base metal with either copper or nickel. The gold wears off exposing these base metals and they react with the sulfur in your body which can be toxic. There is a bit of an exception. If the part of the jewelry that is gold plate or gold filled does not come in direct contact with the piercing, a ball, charm, etc, and is not in the actual piercing hole, you can get away with using these metals but you still may encounter some problems.
