Just a quick post this week while I still try to work out all of the kinks in building this blog. Who knew it wasn’t a one day thing..
Today I’m wanting to write about different jewelry types, and some of the benefits they each offer. Particularly jewelry built piece by piece, designed to be interchangeable and custom. At our studio we typically use threadless or internally threaded jewelry, which on its own is fantastic. However, for some of our more long-term wears (think navel, nipple, etc) I find immense benefit in building each piece for my clients. There is plenty of access online and in store to butterfly backs, standard labrets with weird threadings, and corkscrews/ L shapes. One problem these all share, is that they’re not unique to each client. Essentially sold as a one size fits all, too good to be true is the case.
Feeling the Benefit
At a quick glance you may not recognize some of the differences between two pieces of jewelry until they’re exploded (fun way of saying broken apart).
By being able to separate each piece, I can take control of sizing you might not typically consider. Is the disc hitting the back of your ear too often, but smaller ones are too long? This is an easy solution to that problem. It also ends up being quite cost effective as a client, you only buy parts you need! No need to build up a collection of backings if you only need a new gem, etc.
On top of just being handy, learning about the pieces that go into what you wear empowers you as an owner. Your better understanding will ultimately lead to a safer and happier piercing experience, that you can hopefully pass on to others who haven’t learned yet!
Now there always has to be some negatives, naturally. I’ve spent the last few years becoming familiar with all these different styles, parts, and companies. If I had to be honest about one thing – its a logistical nightmare sometimes. With so many different parts and pieces, keeping track and maintaining a “collection” is a bit of a learning curve. If you’re interested in fully committing to the interchangeable, super deluxe, mega custom jewelry lifestyle, bring an organizer.
Why Bother? My Earrings are Fine.
A perfectly fair statement, met with a perfectly fair answer! You don’t have to bother, and here is a few reasons why!
For the vast majority of clients, changing jewelry or keeping large collections is done bare minimum if at all. So don’t take this as a rally cry to throw away all your old stuff (unless it turns your ears blue). Traditional L shapes for noses, butterfly backs for lobes. All of these things have a place for a reason, for most people they work just fine. My only gripe is the material quality is lacking in many cases, but that’s easy to sort out by just checking for safe titanium vendors.
I could go on about the benefits I see of flat backs, and push ins, yada yada, and I probably will, regularly. In this post, I just wanted to introduce some of the differences, and expose the tip of the iceberg that is modern day body jewelry.
The Take Away
If you’re just casually into body piercings, have a few pieces of jewelry, and don’t intend on adding much more, then how did you find this blog? All jokes aside, you don’t have to spend thousands and revamp your whole collection just to be safe. If you have plans to move forward and continue adding to it, then consider talking to your piercer about interchangeable pieces. Ask about sizing, companies, threading type, and overall just involve yourself in the process. You wont regret the knowledge, and you’ll see so much improvement in the piercing side of your life.
Dupree Piercings 