by B. Leslie Baird

Created on: August 01, 2009   Last Updated: August 31, 2009

In shopping for body jewelry the first thing to keep in mind is the gauge size. Gauge size refers to the thickness - diameter of the wire or plug that fits in the piercing. The larger the number, the smaller the size. Running from 20 gauge to 00, double aught, the sizes are in decimals or millimeters and larger sizes are usually in fractions of an inch. The approximate table is as follows:

.Gauge................Decimal..........Fractional... ...............Millimeter

20- 0.032- -1/32- -0.812

18 -0.04 -1/32 + -1.024

16 -0.051 -1/16 (-) -1.291

14- 0.064 -1/16 -1.628

12 -0.081 -1/16 + - 2.053

10 -0.102 -1/8 (-) - 2.588

8- -0.128 -1/8- 3.264

6 -0.162 -1/8 + - 4.115

4 -0.204 -1/4 (-) -5.189

2 -0.258 - -1/4-6.544

0 -0.325 -5/16 -8.251

00 -0.365 -3/8 -9.266

000 -0.410 -7/16 - -11.110

0000 -0.460 - -1/2-12.710

Keep in mind that most first ear or nose piercing are done in 20 gauge although 18 gauge will usually fit without a problem. Eyebrow piercing will be done at 16 to 14 gauge, ask your piercing professional.

The next size is the diameter or length of the piece. For captive bead rings, circular or spiral pieces the diameter is the inside measurement of the ring. For barbells, spikes and tunnels the length is the wearable measurement or length that fits inside the piercing. This is something to keep in mind when searching for eyebrow and belly piercing as your personal length may be larger or smaller than "standard".

Terminology

Nose screws are very popular and are just that, a straight piece with a curve on the end. As the curved end is inserted into the piercing it screws in. Nose Bones are just straight pieces.

Captive Bead Rings are a full circle that opens by popping the center ball out. These can be worn in the ears and lips as well as a few other places. As a note, you should not need special tools. If the ball will not come out reasonably easily, use a small pair of needle nose pliers, place them inside the ring in their closed position and gently widen the ring. The reverse is true for balls that fall out, simply close the ring slightly.

Barbells or Circular Barbells are straight or curved bars with ball ends. Regular barbells can be worn in the tongue and in some eyebrow piercings. The balls are normally threaded but may be a press fit. Nose piercing may be done in the nostril or Septum, through the bottom of the nose above the lip. Tragus piercing is done on the small flap the projects from the opening of the ear canal. An Industrial piercing is two piercings connected by one bar, generally done through the top of the ear rim but can be done on belly piercing. A Helix piercing is done on the outer rim of the ear through the cartilage.

A Labret piercing is usually done in the mouth area, below or above the lips or on the cheek. A Monroe is done just above the upper lip to one side like her famous beauty mark. A Taper is a piece that gradually increases in gauge size for enlarging a piercing size. A Tunnel is a larger gauge size piece, or disc, most often used in ear piercings.

In an effort to keep this family friendly' many other types of piercings have been left out but information is widely available.

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