How to Buy Body Jewelry Online: A Beginner's Guide
Buying body jewelry online is easy. Buying body jewelry online that actually fits — that's where people trip up. The most common reason a piece arrives and doesn't work isn't a bad product; it's that the wrong size, material, or threading was ordered in the first place.
The good news: once you know the four things to check before you hit checkout, ordering online is just as reliable as buying in person — and usually gives you far more selection. Here's how to get it right the first time.
1. Get the gauge right (the most common mistake)
Gauge is the thickness of the jewelry's post or wire — and it's the single most important number to match. Body jewelry uses a slightly confusing system where a higher number means a thinner post. So 20G is thinner than 18G, which is thinner than 16G.
This matters because your piercing was made at a specific gauge, and the jewelry needs to match it. Too thin and the jewelry can move around or irritate; too thick won't fit through the hole at all without an unwanted stretch. If you don't know your gauge, the safest move is to ask your piercer, or measure the thickness of jewelry you currently wear.
| Placement | Standard gauge | Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Earlobes & nostrils | 20G or 18G | 0.8mm or 1.0mm |
| Cartilage (helix, tragus) | 16G | 1.2mm |
| Navel (belly button) | 14G | 1.6mm |
When in doubt, our piercing sizes chart lays out the standard gauges for every placement.
2. Match the length or diameter
Gauge gets you the right thickness; length (for straight posts and barbells) or diameter (for hoops and rings) gets you the right fit. A labret that's too long will spin and snag; one that's too short will press into the piercing. For a healed piercing, the easiest approach is to measure a piece you already own and love the fit of, and order to match.
Measure the wearable area — the part that actually sits in the piercing — not the decorative end or the threading. If you're between sizes or measuring at home for the first time, our size guide walks through how to measure with calipers or a ruler so you don't guess.
3. Choose a safe material
This is the part worth not cutting corners on, especially for a piercing that's still healing or sensitive. The materials that consistently sit well in the body are implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136), solid 14K or 18K gold, and niobium. These are biocompatible and nickel-free, which is what keeps a piercing calm.
What to be cautious about is cheap jewelry sold as "surgical steel" or mystery metal, which can contain enough nickel to irritate a sensitive piercing. If you want the reliable choice, implant-grade titanium is the workhorse — light, strong, and body-safe — and it makes up the bulk of our implant-grade titanium collection. (For the full picture on why material matters so much, our guide on titanium vs. surgical steel breaks it down.)
4. Understand threading before you order
"Threading" is how the decorative end attaches to the post — and it's the detail most first-time buyers don't know to check. There are three common types:
| Threading type | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Threadless (push-pin) | The end pushes into a hollow post and holds by tension. | Easy swapping; widely compatible across quality brands. |
| Internally threaded | The screw is on the end; the post through your piercing stays smooth. | Comfortable insertion and secure wear. |
| Externally threaded | The screw threads are on the post itself. | Best avoided for healing piercings — the threads can drag on the tissue. |
The reason this matters for online shopping: ends and posts have to be compatible. A threadless end won't work on a threaded post, and internal and external ends aren't interchangeable. If you're buying an end and a post separately, make sure they use the same system. Our full explainer on internal vs. external threading covers how to tell them apart.
A simple pre-checkout checklist
Before you finalize your cart, run through these five questions:
- Do I know my gauge?
- Do I have the right wearable length or diameter?
- Is the material body-safe (titanium, solid gold, or niobium)?
- Do the threading systems match if I'm mixing ends and posts?
- Am I buying from somewhere that lists these specs clearly?
If a product page doesn't tell you the gauge, length, and material, that's a sign to shop elsewhere. Those specs should never be a mystery.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know my gauge if I never asked my piercer?
The most reliable way is to ask the studio that did your piercing, since they'll have it on record. If that's not possible, you can measure the thickness of jewelry you currently wear, or order based on the standard gauge for that placement (20G–18G for earlobes and nostrils, 16G for most cartilage, 14G for navels) — but matching your existing jewelry is safest.
What's the safest material to buy online?
Implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136), solid 14K–18K gold, and niobium are the consistently body-safe choices. They're biocompatible and nickel-free, which is what matters for a healing or sensitive piercing. Be cautious with anything vaguely labeled "surgical steel" or sold without a clear material spec.
Can I buy jewelry online for a brand-new piercing?
You can buy ahead so you have a quality piece ready, but you shouldn't change the jewelry yourself until the piercing has healed — your piercer should handle the first change. Buying online is great for having a body-safe upgrade waiting for when you're ready.
Why doesn't the jewelry I ordered fit?
Almost always it's a gauge or length mismatch, or a threading incompatibility (a threadless end on a threaded post, or vice versa). Double-check the gauge matches your piercing, the wearable length matches a piece that fits, and the threading systems are compatible.
How do I measure body jewelry I already own?
Measure the post's thickness for gauge and the wearable length (the part that sits in the piercing, not the decorative end) for length. A pair of calipers is ideal, but a millimeter ruler works for a close estimate. Our size guide walks through the steps.
This blog is for educational purposes and isn't a substitute for advice from your piercer. For a fresh or troubled piercing, always check with a qualified professional before changing jewelry.