Body jewelry has come a long way in recent years. Years ago it was considered strange if anything more than your ears were pierced and to see earrings on a man would actually be frowned upon. Nowadays it is quite common to see large amounts of piercing and body jewelry being worn by one single person.

Before you select your body jewelry, you must know what you’re looking for. There is a specific name for each type. For instance, barbells can be circular, straight, or curved and can be inserted into the navel, ear, eyebrow or tongue. Then there is the banana bell which can also go in your belly button.

There are plugs for your ears, for tunnels, and what is known as captive rings. You could opt for a nose screw for your nostrils, or just a stud or ring. For lips, the jewelry is called a labret. If you are really daring, go for spirals, pinchers, hanging designs or weights – yes all of these are still body jewelry! It is easier to know all your terms before going out to buy.

The correct size. When piercing you need to be aware that every part of your body has different needs. Obviously your navel ring won’t fit in your eyebrow so when it comes time to choose body jewelry, get the measurement right. A set of calipers can help you to see if body jewelry will fit. Keep in mind that body jewelry cannot be returned to the store once purchased, so getting the size right the first time is imperative.

Think about the material. Some body jewelry is made of high quality materials, which is better for your skin than other kinds. For a brand new body piercing, opt for body jewelry that is glass, metal grade, or Teflon (PTFE). Older piercings should handle acrylic or plastic – be sure you don’t have skin allergies, though. If you do have allergies go for titanium, glass or Teflon.

Give the jewelry a once over for faults. Once you decide on a piece of body jewelry you like, have a good look at it before you buy it. You want to be seeing a smooth finish and no dents or scratches. Things like captive balls must have a snug fit, and screws should screw right down to the end. Generally just make sure that the jewelry is intact, works properly and is the right fit for you. That will be the best jewelry to buy.

Body piercing is the art of puncturing or cutting a part of the human body, to create an opening in which jewelry may be worn. Piercing has been practiced in nearly every culture all over the world for hundreds of years. This body art is reflected in many cultures for various reasons which may include religion, spirituality, fashion or eroticism.

Body piercing has become a very popular trend with teens and young adults. However, caution should be taken when deciding to wear body jewelry as there is a possibility of infection. You should not use any type of fake gold or other jewelry made from base metals as they will be likely to corrode when exposed to body fluids. There are metals which are safe to use such as surgical implant stainless steel and surgical implant titanium. A professional may also suggest other safe metals.

If you prefer not to go through the trouble of body piercing, but still want to keep up with the trend, you may consider wearing certain types of jewelry which will make it look as though piercing has been done. The following are a few examples of such jewelry.

-Clip-on earrings that can also be worn as a naval ring.

-Magnetic earrings look as if the person is wearing a stud.

-Stick on earrings have adhesive backs which stick to the ear lobe.

-Ear cuffs are curved metal bands that press against the ear.

-Spring hoops stick to the ear by means of a spring force.

Wearing body jewelry can be fun and fashionable if certain precautions are taken before and after piercing. If you are willing to go through the trouble of body piercing which may include some pain, which varies in different individuals, then you are among the select group of people that will appreciate the fashion statement that is made with this type of body art.