Put a ring on it! (AKA the different types of hoops you can wear)
Rings- AKA hoops - are the up there with barbells for versatility. There's a ring for everyone- let's dive in.
Let's start with captive bead rings- AKA the CBR. These come in two forms: pressure-fitted and spring-loaded.
- Pressure fitted – a pressure-fitted CBR has a bead with dimples on each side. The ring's two ends pressing into the bead's dimples, holds it in place. With smaller gauge pressure-fit CBRs, you can open and close the ring by hand. For heavier gauges, we recommend tools (ring openers and closers).
- Spring Loaded – a spring-loaded CBR has a bead without dimples. Instead, there are two very small balls that push in and out against an internal spring. This style is most common in heavy gauge because it's so easy to put in and take out. No tools needed!
- A teardrop CBR is so-called because of its shape. Try one in your septum or navel for a cute, new look.
- A D-Ring CBR is so-called because it looks like the letter “D.” These are often worn in eyebrows and septum
- Shaped CBRs come in a variety of shapes! This includes triangles, hearts, and crosses. You can wear these shapes in any piercing as long as it sits comfortably. What works for you will depend on your anatomy and your piercing.
A screw-ball ring is like a CBR, but its bead screwed onto one side, rather than being a pressure fit. This is common in heavy gauge rings, as it makes it easier to put in and take out.
- Cherry Bombs are like screwball rings - except that the diameter of the ring is equal to the diameter of the bead. They are usually very small in diameter and typically rounded at the end that is not connected to the bead.
A segment ring is like a CBR in design, although it contains a curved segment of bar instead of a bead. This gives it a seamless look. Like the CBR, it comes in two types:
- Pressure fitted – this segment ring type holds the little bar in place using pressure. This pressure is created with dimples on the ring ends and small nubs that protrude from the ends of the bar. Click the bar into place and you're good to go. On smaller gauge pieces, opening and closing is possible by hand. But you'll need tools (ring closers and openers) for heavy gauge pieces.
- Hinge fitted – this segment ring type holds the bar segment in place with a hinge at one end, and clicks into place. This works like a septum clicker.
A septum clicker is a bar that's worn through the septum, and an ornate hoop that hangs under the nose. The name clicker comes from the locking mechanism. Basically , one end of the bar has a hinge and the other end clicks into a divot. The most common gauge for septum clickers is 16-14g. Looking for something fancy? Clickers are for you - they're known for filigree designs, jewels, chains, and stones.
A Bendable is a seamless ring with a small opening. You twist the ends at this opening apart from each other to put it through your piercing. Once it's in, twist it back to place, and you're done. The ring is annealed (a heating process that makes metal more flexible). This means you won't need tools to put it in. Just don't pull the ends apart to open it! This will warp your ring and can damage crystals and other decorative details.
The ¾ Hoop is literally ¾ of a hoop with a small disk at one end. It's available in 18g or 20g - thin enough for the standard nose piercing. Starting inside the nostril, push the hoop through your piercing. Once in, the disk will keep it from pulling all the way through. ¾ hoops are our best selling nose hoop because they're so easy to get in.