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How to Properly fit Belly Button Rings

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One sizes does not fit all.

Getting a proper fit on a belly button ring has nothing to do with your body size, it has to do with the angle and depth of the actual piercing.

There are standards in the industry, but your Piercer may have to make adjustments for your navel type. Some Piercers may not work within the standards that are set in the industry, making it more difficult to find jewelry that will fit correctly.

The standards for a navel piercing are 14 gauge for the thickness of the barbell and 3/8" to 7/16" for the length barbell to be worn, once the piercing has healed.

Your piercer will use a longer curved barbell, or a ring for the initial piercing. This is to allow for swelling and to leave room for proper cleaning.

Once the piercing has healed enough to change the jewelry, normally 2 months, it is time to determine the correct size for your navel piercing.

Let's begin with the correct way to measure a curved barbell. With the top ball threaded all the way on, you are going to measure in a STRAIGHT line, not along the curve of the barbell. The two points will be:

#1- Where the top ball meets the barbell on the under side of the ball.(holding the barbell up and down, as if it's being worn).

#2- Where the bottom design, or ball, meets the barbell on the top side of the ball.

Measure in a Straight line from these two points. The two pionts will both be on the inside of the curve.

Metric Conversion: 5/16"=8mm, 3/8"=10mm, 7/16"=11mm, 1/2"=12mm, 9/16"=15mm.

Do not fit the curved barbell to have no barbell showing. You need to have some barbell displayed, as this allows air to the piercing and prevents the jewelry from trying to pull into the piercing. You should have about 1/4" of barbell showing.

You may need to experiment with a few sizes, to find your best fit. Here is the basic rule of thumb.

Shallow Piercings = 5/16" (8mm)

Standard Piercings = 3/8" (10mm) or 7/16" (11mm)

Deep Piercings = 1/2" (12mm)

Very deep Piercings = 9/16" (15mm)

Most shops only sell the standard length, because most manufactures only produce the one size. Our shop has a large selection of all lengths, because we manufacture many of our designs.

You can find a large selection of the 5/16", 1/2" & 9/16" length curved barbell designs Here

Amazon Spotlight

Genuine Amethyst Heart 14 karat White Gold Belly Button Ring

Genuine Amethyst Heart 14 karat White Gold Belly Button Ring

Amazon Price: $238.00 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now
List Price:

Here is an example of a belly ring that can be made in any length curved barbell. This retails for $179.00 and has a genuine amethyst gemstone.

Usually ships in 6-10 business days

Acceptable Belly Ring Materials

The standard curved barbell, in the body jewelry industry, is made of 316L surgical steel. The best quality steel is being producted in the United Kingdom.
An upgrade would be a 316LVM surgical steel, which has an added process to remove impurities.
Gold is also used in belly rings. It is best to look for nickel free gold, as gold normally has nickel in the blend to harden the metal. Nickel is not a recommended material for a healthy piercing and many people have a reaction to nickel.

New YouTube vids

A Pain Free Belly Piercing

Katie Finally Does It: Navel Piercing
by KatieChemicalx3 | video info

17 ratings | 29,143 views
curated content from YouTube

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Pierce This 2
Quality selection of belly button rings including custom made gold designs.
Silver Volcano
Another site to buy jewelry that is made with a higher quality material.
Blog of Body Jewelry
Add your belly ring comments to this blog, or send a photo of your piercing and a story. You can have it posted

New Amazon Plexo

1

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Silver Moon & Star Belly Button Ring Twisty

Silver Moon & Star Belly Button Ring Twisty

316L surgical steel twisty barbell, also called a more...2 points

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.925 sterling silver Best Friends belly button ring - The Original

.925 sterling silver Best Friends belly button ring - The Original

.925 sterling silver Best Friends belly rings come more...2 points

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Genuine Turquoise Belly Button Ring Captive Style

Genuine Turquoise Belly Button Ring Captive Style

316L Surgical Steel captive ring will fit most bel more...2 points

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Belly Ring in Question Mark Style with Pink Gemstone

Belly Ring in Question Mark Style with Pink Gemstone

316L surgical steel question mark barbell is exter more...1 point

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Just Married Belly Button Ring with a Twist

Just Married Belly Button Ring with a Twist

316L surgical steel, 14 gauge twisted barbell is p more...1 point

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3 free moving bars Belly Button Ring

3 free moving bars Belly Button Ring

One bar is lined with prong set, faceted, clear ge more...0 points

8

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Owl Belly Button Ring

Owl Belly Button Ring

Adorable owl measures 1" by 5/8"and swin more...0 points

Amazon Spotlight

Genuine Blue Topaz Heart 14 karat Gold Belly Button Ring

Genuine Blue Topaz Heart 14 karat Gold Belly Button Ring

Amazon Price: $325.00 (as of 02/13/2012)Buy Now
List Price:

Another example of a quality belly ring that can be made with different length curved barbells.

Other Tips

Crooked Piercing?

If you have a crooked or sharp angled piercing, you will find that a "Twisty" or "Helix" belly ring design will make the piercing look straight and will provide comfort on a piercing that goes deeper into the belly button.

If you experience itching and a clear puss in the piercing, you are alergic to nickel.

If you have a shallow piercing, try to stay with light weight designs.

A deeper piercing may find a "top mounted" belly ring design more comfortable, as the design is not pulling into the belly button.

For more information, please visit www.piercethis2.com or www.silvervolcano.com or email me at lisa@piercethis2.com

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Celtic Knot Emerald Belly Ring

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Pierce_This_2

Pierce This 2 started in January 2001.
We have a store in New Hampshire.
Our specialty is offering a higher quality belly button ring design. We believe... more »

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