Body jewelry is jewelry specifically for use in body piercings. It's typically measured in gauges, but the sizing works in reverse: the larger the number the smaller the size. Body jewelry is made from metals including steel, titanium and niobium, but it can also be made from other materials such as plastic or even organic materials such as bone.
Typical costs:
Plastic -- usually acrylic -- body jewelry typically sells for $10-$30. Body jewelry earrings are often sold in sets. For example, Hot Topic sells a variety of acrylic taper and plug sets for $14-$18.
Metal body jewelry is generally slightly more expensive than plastic body jewelry. Surgical steel, titanium and niobium are commonly used metals. Metal body jewelry costs $15-$50 per piece or set, although pieces that include gemstones cost slightly more. For example, curved barbells (for a bellybutton piercing) typically cost $15-$30, captive bead rings (for eyebrow and ears) cost $8-$30, straight barbells (for industrial and tongue piercings) cost $15-$40.
Body jewelry made from bone is also available. The price of the jewelry often is based on the size. Small plugs typically cost $10-$20 while more ornate carved pieces cost $15-$40. Diablo Body Jewelry sells an assortment of bone pieces[1] for $15-$20 per pair.
Stone body jewelry is the most expensive and can cost hundreds of dollars for precious stones. For example, Kolo Piercing[2] , an Atlanta, GA, based piercing studio, sells high-grade stones used for body jewelry, with some pairs costing as much as $180 per pair.
What should be included:
Body jewelry is either sold in pairs, sets or singularly and should be in sterile packaging.
Additional costs:
Antiseptics should be used to clean body jewelry. For oral body jewelry, it can be cleaned with anti-bacterial mouth wash to have a better taste when it is inserted. Antiseptic cleaners and mouthwash are typically available for $3-$9.
Discounts:
Retailers and online body jewelry vendors frequently have sales. For example, mall retailers such as Hot Topic and Spencer's Gift offer buy-one-get-one-free sales on body jewelry on a regular basis.
Buying body jewelry online is often less expensive than brick-and-mortar retailers. Online stores such as Painful Pleasures[3] and Monster Steel[4] frequently offer clearance-prices pieces that cost less than $2.
Amazon also sells body jewelry[5] , including in wholesale quantities.
Shopping for body jewelry:
Piercing Experience, a Georgia-based store, offers tips for finding a reputable seller[6] of body jewelry.
Hot Topic explains the different types of materials used[7] for body jewelry and outlines which type of jewelry are typically used for various piercings.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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