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Sizing it all up....

This size guide has been provided by TummyToys®. Professional belly piercings are performed in a standard 14g (gauge width) and pierced to fit the standard size 10mm (3/8)and 11mm (7/16) belly rings. All of our navel rings are supplied within the standard size range unless otherwise stated.

For non-standard size piercings, we have a collection of custom sizeable navel rings here.

Body Jewellery Sizing Reference

Placement Gauge Post Length
Navel Piercing Size Guide  Navel

14g (Standard)

Can also shrink in width to a size 16g if piercing left to partially close and standard sizes don't fit.

10mm (Standard)

Sizes can also vary from 5mm (Maria Tash only) up to 19mm depending on piercing age and accuracy. Body weight is not usually a factor for piercing measurements. Here at The Belly Ring Shop we can custom size any solid gold belly ring and also provide a collection of sizeable styles at the links below. Use our measurement guide further down to establish your best length or trial cheaper varieties to find the perfect fit before sizing your favourite gold piece.

Nipple Ring Size Guide Nipple 14g (Standard)

14mm and 16mm (Standard Sizes)

Can also vary from 6mm up to 19mm

Nostril Piercing Size Guide Nostril 18g, 20g

6mm - 8mm Hoops

6mm - Studs / L-Bends

Septum 14g, 16g 8mm - 10mm
Helix 18g, 19g, 20g 6mm - 8mm
Conch 16g, 18g

12mm - 16mm Hoops

10 - 14mm Studs

Rook Piercing Size Chart Rook 16g

6mm Snug/comfortable

Can also vary from 5mm up to 8mm

Daith Piercing Gauge Size Guide Daith 16g

8mm

Can also vary up to 10mm

Tragus 16g

6mm

Can also vary from 5mm up to 8mm

Industrial Earring Guide Industrial 14g

35mm

Can also vary from 25mm up to 38mm

Dermal Piercing Size Guide Dermal 14g Frontals vary between 4mm - 8mm
Eyebrow Piercing Size Guide Eyebrow 16g 8mm

How to establish your preferred length for body jewellery.

The listed length (inches" or millimetres as shown below) refers to the distance between the balls. It is the length of the piercing shaft in fractional inches/millimeters and not the length of the full body jewellery.

If you are unsure what size you are, measure a piece of body jewellery that currently fits you correctly and this will assist you in establishing the best size moving forward. You may need to adjust your preferred sizing up or down depending on whether or not the current fit is as snug as you would like or perhaps too tight.

Length Conversion (eg. 3/8" 10mm) 

Millimeters Fractional Inches
6mm 1/4"
8mm (short length) 5/16"
10mm (standard sizes) 3/8"
11mm (standard sizes) 7/16"
12mm 1/2"
14mm 9/16"
16mm 5/8"
19mm 3/4"
22mm 7/8"
25mm 1"

Gauge - width of the shaft (eg. 14g)

Body jewellery is measured by gauges. The higher the gauge the skinnier the piercing post becomes. For example a 12g post is far thicker than a 19g post.

 

Refer to the chart below for specific details.

Gauge Millimeter Inches
20g (standard septum) 0.81mm 1/32"
18g (standard septum) 1mm 3/64"
16g (standard septum) 1.2mm 3/64"
14g (standard navel) 1.6mm 1/16"
12g 2mm 5/64"
10g 2.4mm 3/32"
8g 3.2mm 1/8"
6g 4mm 5/32"
4g 5mm 3/16"
2g 6mm 1/4"
0g 8mm 5/16"
00g 9.5mm 3/8"

Ball Size Conversion Chart

Body jewellery balls are sold by the millimeter, and the threading (screw) needs to match the piercing posts gauge.

Millimeters Fractional Inches
3 1/8
4 5/32
5 3/16
6 1/4
8 5/16
10 3/8
Post Length

Body jewellery is measured by post length, this measurement does not include the balls or charm parts of the body jewellery and refers only to the part of the jewellery that is inserted into your piercing.We sell a huge variety of custom size jewellery so that you can source the perfect fit for your piercing. Use our filter to browse our collections by size.

Gauge Width

The thickness of the piercing post is measured by gauges, where the lower the gauge, the thicker the post. So for example, 14g is a standard size for belly rings, a size 16g features a skinnier post. Earrings are much thinner than belly rings and are typically either a 16g or even skinnier, 18g and 19g. Nose rings have the skinniest post and generally a size 20g.

Occasionally a piercing partially closes and you require a skinnier post, but did you know that a piercer can re-stretch your piercing for you! It doesn't hurt anywhere near as much as a new piercing and only takes a few weeks to heal in comparison to the many months for a new piercing.

Understanding Threading

Internally threaded jewellery features a pin on the ball which protrudes and is inserted inside the piercing post. Externally threaded jewellery features threading on the outer side of the piercing post with a hole in the ball for screwing into place.

While internally threaded jewellery is often more expensive than externally threaded piercings, they are more comfortable and less likely to build up bacteria around the threading preventing infection.

When body piercers perform new belly piercings they prefer to use internally threaded jewellery for maximum hygiene purposes.

Understanding Materials

There are many different types of materials available for body jewellery. Solid gold, solid titanium and solid surgical steel are best for initial piercings and are the premium option for those with nickel allergies. Alternatively there are many plated styles, including rose and yellow gold plating, and electric titanium shades of plating in a variety of colours.

Plated jewellery is best used for occasional wear, whereas solid gold, solid titanium, sold steel and solid 925 silver can all be worn permanently and are water suitable.

ACCURATE MEASURES

Body jewellery is measured by post length, this measurement does NOT include the balls or charm parts of the body jewellery and refers only to the part of the jewellery that is inserted into your piercing.

When measuring navel rings, simply measure the straight line from the two points, not the curve. Likewise when you measure captive body jewellery or earring hoops, the measurement is taken from the full diameter of the circle.

Measuring nipple rings, ear studs and barbells is easy, just measure the straight part of the post excluding the balls/charms and frontals.

Jewelled Pitter Patter Pregnancy Belly Bar - Maternity Belly Ring. Navel Rings Australia.

Got one of those cute bumps?

Pregnancy Piercing Guide

Do I need to remove my belly ring for pregnancy?Absolutely NOT! You simply need the right type of body jewellery to accommodate your navel piercing during this exciting journey of pregnancy, typically around mid 2nd trimester. Check out our PTFE maternity range here.

Flexible and comfortable, these cute belly rings are comprised of surgical grade PTFE and arehypoallergenic. They start off extra long, you can optionally cut them down to a smaller size, although unless you are buying a few pregnancy belly bars, we suggest you leave some length as things will get tighter soon enough and your navel will certainly feel the stretch.

What will happen to my belly piercing after pregnancy? You can continue to enjoy your belly piercing and return to regular belly rings after pregnancy. Okay, we'll admit it, your skin is going to take a small beating, you can't carry around a sackful of love inside your tummy without leaving a few marks and scars to tell the story. However every women is different, and even if your belly tells the story of childbirth, that is a beautiful story worth celebrating.

Nipple Jewellery

While technically nipple jewellery doesn't stop lactation, to elliminate any choking hazards, it is best to remove your nipple rings while feeding bubs. Remember, if you take your jewellery out for a few months your piercing may close over so occasional wear in between feeds may be an option if you wish to maintain your piercing.

No New Piercings!

New piercings are a definite NO during pregnancy. While your body focuses on making pitter patter perfection, healing and/or exposing yourself to potential infections is not ideal. Body piercers will not allow the procedure during pregnancy.

Maternity Belly Ring Size

From mid 2nd trimester you'll need to size up. 5-7 months, you'll need a length up to 14mm and may even be able to wear surgical steel belly rings in a size 14mm. PTFE in sizes 19mm, 20mm and 25mm (1 inch+) are ideal for the final 2 months.

How to Size PTFE

To cut, simply use a pair of scissors and cut on a slight angle. Then use a belly ring ball to screw a new thread onto the PTFE thread. Simple and so much more comfortable than steel belly rings during pregnancy.

The Gender Reveal

A cute way to announce the gender of future mini you is by wearing a colour themed piece from our collection in pink or blue. Surprise hubby, friends and family with a cute piece of jewellery that'll double up as nostalgic memorabilia in the memory box post birth.

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