How to Measure Body Jewellery

advertisements

Size & Measurements
Like all other measurements, there's no universal standard for jewelry sizes. The United States uses gauge (technically called the Brown and Root system) and inches for its measurement system, whereas most everywhere else bases their measurements on millimeters and the metric system. Fortunately, you can use our handy conversion charts below when necessary.

Why is size important?
If your body jewelry is too short, it will aggravate the piercing area and cause swelling. When the body jewelry is too long, problems can occur from snagging and catching the jewelry. Most manufacturers offer widths in 1/16" increments. Since there's no universal sizing system for body jewelry, it's best to check with your local piercer to determine the proper size.

Gauging Ears

What do I need to know?
Body jewelry is measured by thickness and length. Length refers to the internal diameter for rings and the length for barbells. This can be expressed either in inches or millimeters.

- Curved Barbells: measured by the length of the shaft between the two ball
- Straight Barbells: measured by the length of the shaft between the two balls
- Labrets: measurement made on the shaft between the disc and ball
- Circular Barbells: measurement made at the largest diameter

Thickness is expressed in terms of gauge (ga) or millimeters (mm). This refers to the thickness of the ring, barbell, or shaft and it corresponds to the thickness of your piercing. When dealing with gauge, just remember, the lower the gauge value, the thicker the jewelry.

Standard Sizes for jewelry
We still recommend you consult with your piercer on your body jewelry's proper size; however, we've compiled a list of sizes frequently used in some of the common piercings.

Belly-button/ navel: Standard gauge is 14ga. Common lengths are 3/8" or 7/16".
Cartilage: Common gauges are 16 and 18ga. Common lengths are 3/8" to 5/8'.
Ear lobe: Needle piercings typically are 14 or 16 ga (eargun piercings are usually 18 or 20 gauge).
Eyebrow: Common gauges are 16 and 18ga. Common lengths are 5/16", 3/8", and 7/16".
Lip: Common gauges are 14 and 18 ga (with 14 being the most common). Common lengths are 5/16" to a half".
Nose: Standard gauge is 16 or 18ga. Common lengths are: 5/16", 3/8", 7/16", and a half."
Septum: Standard gauge is 14ga. Common lengths are: 3/8", 7/16", 1/2", and 5/8."
Tongue: Common gauges are 12 and 14 ga (with 14 being the most common). The common length for tongue barbells is 5/8."

How to Measure Body Jewellery

Mark wilson - http://www.fleshtunnel.co.uk