Types of Body Jewelry
For a while it seems there are so many styles and choices available for body jewelry now, it’s hard to tell what to prefer. Here are descriptions of several of the most common types of body jewelry and what makes each kind dissimilar.
At the most basic level, body jewelry is each based on a straight line (some type of barbell) or a circle (rings). There is even some jewelry that is right on the line between the two basic outlines. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Many people pick what they believe looks best and then switch to something that looks similar but functions better. There’s no way to tell what will be most excellent for you without a little bit of trial and error.
The most common type of ring jewelry wear in body piercings is the captured bead ring. The jewelry wire is bent just about into a circle, and the two ends bit into an appropriately-sized globule, holding it in place. The diameter of the circle depends rather on the thickness of the wire and thicker gauges become larger rings out of necessity. This style of jewelry works for about every single type of body piercing.
Capped with two beaded ends is the curved barbell. It’s just a bit lesser of a circle than a captured bead ring and has independent ends, one of which is rigid closed and one which is threaded for jewelry elimination. Curved barbells can also be so gently curved as to be less than 180 degrees of a circle. The end finish and opening methods remain reliable regardless of the degree of barbell curve.
Some variations of curled barbells have been used constantly enough that they have their own names now. A banana bar or an L-bar refers to two variations of curved barbell that are mainly habitually worn in navel piercings. The banana bar is a gentle curve with one smaller ball end and one larger, worn purposely top to bottom in the navel. An L-bar has an overall shape more like a hockey stick and is also worn top to bottom. A usual barbell is straight with ends that can be capped with small or large bead ends. Depending on the manufacturer, also the bar or the bead can be threaded.
