Quality earring for cartilage piercing

[Upgradable]

DD had her ear cartilage pierced this summer. I'd like to get her something other than the stainless steel half hoop that's in there when she's able to change it. Can someone link me to a fine jeweler who does or has this type of earring? Thanks!

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I am not sure if this is what you are looking for, but I have ordered from this site...back in the day when I had my cartilage piercing.
www.tribalectic.com

 

[LGK]

I've purchased from http://www.alluringbody.com for my nose piercing. The bench they use does the finest, tiniest bezels I've ever seen; I got a 1mm (total) diamond nose stud, bezel set, and it was perfect workmanship.

They have CBRs (the captive bead rings, which I suspect is what you're looking for?) in gold/diamonds and single studs too. They have some of the smallest studs I've seen, if you think she might prefer a stud- I've purchased one or two for my farther back piercings in the 1.5mm and 2mm bezel set sizes. Very good customer service and quick shipping. The diamonds are decent quality for being really tiny melee.

 

[qtiekiki]

Can't you just get her a regular diamond stud? Or were you looking for something different?

 

[Circe]

My best friend's mom loves these folks for her nose piercings, and she is a tremendously elegant lady. http://www.venusbymariatash.com/ I have to admit, visiting their shop had *me* considering additional piercing, and in that regard I've normally been fairly vanilla ....

 

[lyra]

I think people are getting confused about which piercing your daughter has Uppy. It's her ear cartilage, correct? If she changes to a smaller gauge than the original piercing (14g usually), then her hole will become smaller of course. I would recommend going with something (bezeled gem say) with a ball end rather than a butterfly back. Ear (helix) cartilage piercings are notorious for being painful forever, so having something on the back that won't get caught or hurt her head when she sleeps is best.

 

[Upgradable]

Lyra, yes it's her ear cartilage. On the outside edge just before the ear curves at the top. She'd like a diamond stud but I was worried about the butterfly back. Any suggestions regarding something similar?

 

[lyra]

I have done a lot of business with this company in England, Body Matters Gold. We have purchased 5 nose studs from them for my 2 daughters over the years. Each piece is handmade and the bezels are beautiful. Here is a page with cartilage earrings, http://www.bodymattersgold.com/acatalog ... _Pins.html

Note that you can have it made custom in several ways, from gauge to length and ball backing. They are always nice to work with, and the diamonds are quite nice for melee, and the pieces are sturdy.

 

[that_someone_special]

Lyra, yes it's her ear cartilage. On the outside edge just before the ear curves at the top. She'd like a diamond stud but I was worried about the butterfly back. Any suggestions regarding something similar?

Butterfly backs are dangerous to wear in cartilage piercings for several reasons: they are sharp, they get caught in hair and other items (which then tears the piercing and fistula needing to be healed, again) and, if put on too tightly the ear can swell up and ground the piercing. I've even seen butterfly backs basically eaten up by the skin (as in, they had to surgically remove the backing.)

There is a big difference in a "quality" earring in the PS community and the body mod community. One here might be gold, platinum, diamond... in the latter community, that means a very well made post or barbell that isn't rough, internally threaded, and most often than not- surgical steel.. which means the piece can be autoclaved. One of the BEST companies that I've been using.. or have used is called "Anatometal" read up on the company here http://www.anatometal.com/ Do not rush the healing process! I know you may "think" the piercing is healed, and normally it will look healed, but I would leave whatever she got pierced with- in for longer than recommended- because as soon as you attempt to put a new stud or cbr in, you are going to cause trauma to the ear (and, I've seen people rip the fistulas back open). Actually, really? Whatever you do decide to to get her I would recommend going back to a piercer and paying the $5 or whatever it is to have it put in for her. It's worth it!!

But, back to the jewelry. Anatometal does do pieces in gold (most pieces are available in Steel, Titanium, Niobium, and 18k Gold), and most of their "bling" are simulated (simply put there isn't really a market for half inch plugs with real sapphires and diamonds ) Personally? I would just get a SS barbell with a gem ball (see here: http://www.anatometal.com/jewelry/Threaded-Gem-Balls.php). If that works, than I'm SURE they could create a gold and diamond piece for you (I've seen it before).


Ok so where would you buy them? Some local piercing shops will sell them, but I've also purchased from BAF http://www.bodyartforms.com .. just put in "anatometal" in the keyword search. This is just my advice through experiance, research and being young and full of holes There is a piercing shop in my state that I've ordered these pieces from as well (for steel they are "expensive", but worth it) and I can give that to you if you want.

I do recommend supplying your own diamond if you go that route. I have no clue what kind of diamonds they do or do not use.

 

[Upgradable]

Thank you both, Lyra and Bean! This has been an exceptionally challenging piece to find. I have no experience in body mod, and in fact, this piercing is just an excuse for her to wear another small piece of bling in a different place. So she's not looking for large gauge or some of the typical pieces you may see in that culture. For her its just another place for sparkle. I'll take a look at both of your suggestions. I'm thinking surgical steel is the best way to go in regards to constantly dwelling in her skin. And I'm more than happy to source the stones myself. I like the idea of being able to customize or choose the length of the bar and the size of the ball too. I'll update when I've found something. She will not be able to change this until January anyway, so I've got plenty of time. Thanks again!

 

[ChloeTheGreat]

I have 7 holes in my left ear and 3 in my right, including large gauges in my lobes. The holes in my left ear go all the way up the cartilage. I have had them for many years and still wear the same surgical steel earrings I was pierced with. (I have found that my skin reacts badly to anything other than steel.) They all have butterfly earring backs and I have never had any problems with them. I never take them out.

My suggestion would be to try different types of earrings and backs before spending the money on a long-term piece. (After, of course, the piercing has healed enough to be able to change the jewelry.) Your daughter may find that one type of backing is more comfortable than others, or that a particular type of metal is more appropriate for her skin. For a short time, I wore earrings with 14k gold posts and even those infected my ears.

Hope you are able to find something she'll love!

ETA: I have ordered many times from bodyartforms.com and have been impressed with their selection and quality of pieces.

 

[oddoneout]

Etsy has some homemade ones I've been eying.

 

[CourtLynB]

I've had my cartilage pierced for about 10 years now. I dont' think I ever had a hoop in it, I got it pierced with a YG stud. That had a ball back on it. Now I wear a Tanzanite trillion cut stud in WG. It was part of pair that I lost one earring out of. It's got a butterfly back to it and I've never had any problems. I don't take my earrings out (I have 2 sets on each side), but I also compulsively check the backs of all my earrings.

You could always buy a pair of regular earrings, so if she loses one, she'll have a replacement.

 

[Gempassion]

Hi Upgradable,

I was looking through your older posts because I'm considering an AJS mahenge and I happen to have some information about piercing that is pertinent to this post (though your DD has certainly already found an earring). I wore a cartilage ring for about 10 years. And, jewelry with a "flat back" is definitely the most comfortable for the cartillage area. See, for example, the 12th earring in the "Steelworks" column of this information page on quality piercing jewelry. I am sure that if you click on the "Steelworks" link, you can order a gemmy type earring with a flat back.

http://www.blacksunstudio.com/archives/eng_main.htm

Best,
Gempassion

 

[reader]

I've also purchased from BMG in the past and love, if you sign up for email updates, they do have promotional codes every now and again.