A tiny lightning bolt on your helix, a drop on your lobe or a little cross swinging gently in your conch: a charm gives your piercing its own twist in seconds. Charms are playful, personal and easy to switch. But when is it actually possible, which piercing shows off a charm best and what should you watch out for? Let's walk you through it.
What exactly is a piercing charm?
A charm is a small piece of jewellery that hangs from a ring. Usually that's a segment ring: a ring with a small section that comes out, so you slide the charm on and then close the ring again. Many of our charms are available with or without a matching segment ring, so you can also combine them with a ring you already own, as long as the size is right.
They come in all kinds of shapes: symbols, stones, drops, animals or a clean minimalist design. Have a look at our charms collection. There you'll also find connecting chains that link two piercing rings together.
Heal first, then hang
This is the most important rule: only wear a charm in a piercing that has fully healed. A fresh piercing needs rest. A charm moves around, can snag and adds extra weight and friction. Exactly what a healing piercing does not want.
On top of that, a new piercing generally heals better with a bar than with a ring. For a fresh piercing titanium is best, but gold is possible too: we often use a titanium bar with a gold attachment. Gold is fine for a new piercing too, but the first bar is longer and is later replaced with a shorter one. That's why we usually use a titanium bar with a gold attachment. We use solid 14K and 18K gold (most in 18K). When you can switch depends on the spot and on you. Not sure? Have your piercing checked first. We'd rather take a look with you to see whether it's ready.
Which piercings look great with a charm?
A charm needs room to hang freely. That's why you mostly see them on:
- Earlobe. The easiest place to start. The charm is nicely visible and rarely gets in the way.
- Helix. A small charm on a ring in the rim of your ear is subtle but playful.
- Conch and daith. A charm in the middle of your ear really stands out, especially combined with other piercings.
- Navel. Navel jewellery with a dangling part is a classic, but watch out for clothes rubbing over it.
In spots that come into contact with food, drinks or your face a lot, like lip or nose, a charm gets in the way more easily. Talk to us in the studio about what suits your anatomy.
Ring, size and material
A beautiful charm starts with the right ring. Check these three things:
- Diameter. The ring needs to be big enough for the charm to hang freely without pressing against your skin, but not so big that it catches on everything.
- Thickness. The thickness of the ring has to match your piercing. Not every charm fits every ring, so check the sizes in the product description.
- Material. Charms come in different materials: solid 14K and 18K gold (most in 18K), but also nickel-free versions that are gold-plated or have a gold-coloured coating. Solid gold is gold all the way through; on a plated or coated charm, the gold colour is only on the outside. Check the material for each product, especially if you have sensitive skin. For a fresh piercing we generally recommend solid gold or implant-grade titanium. A charm only comes into the picture once your piercing has healed.
Everyday tips
- Sleeping. Notice your charm catching on your pillow or hair at night? Then a calmer piece of jewellery is the better choice for bedtime.
- Sport and helmets. A dangling piece can get caught during sport or under a helmet or headphones. Better take it out in those situations.
- Getting dressed and hair. Pull jumpers and jackets on and off carefully and take care when brushing. Snagging is annoying, and not great for a healed piercing either.
- Check the closure. After closing a segment ring, check that it's really shut, so you don't lose your charm.
Change it yourself or in the studio?
Your first change is best done by a professional. After that, a healed piercing with an easy closure can often be changed at home. Our post How do I open and change my piercing jewelry? explains how. Find it tricky, or is your ring hard to open? You can drop by the studio without an appointment to have your jewellery changed. How that works and which conditions apply is explained in our FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a charm in a new piercing?
No. Only wear a charm once your piercing has fully healed. A fresh piercing needs rest and usually heals better with a bar.
Does every charm fit every ring?
Not always. The thickness and diameter of the ring have to match the charm and your piercing. Not sure? Bring your ring to the studio.
Can I hang a charm on my regular earring?
Many of our charms can be hung on a segment ring or an earring. Check each product description to see what it's suitable for.
Where can I buy charms?
In the studio at Reguliersbreestraat 46 and in our webshop under charms.
From Ira, with love
Ira Lutvica is co-owner of Piercings Works, which she runs together with her husband Mensur Lutvica: since 1998, and 22 years at the same spot on Reguliersbreestraat 46. Ira writes the books herself and runs the piercing course (in Dutch), where she has trained 100+ piercers. Want to know more about this topic? Read her e-book (in Dutch) DE KUNST VAN HET OOR Het Master Ebook over Oorpiercings. Also read Piercings Works in the media.
See you soon at Reguliersbreestraat 46!