Q: Hi there! Piercing newbie! Can I use the same jewelry in cartilage and lobe piercings? -Ava R.

A: Totally, you can wear cartilage jewelry in your earlobe as long as the gauge and size work. Piercing jewelry is pretty versatile! Most lobes are done with 18-gauge, while cartilage usually uses 16-gauge. That’s just a tiny 0.2mm difference, but still worth being careful about. Make sure your lobes are fully healed before trying it out. When you do, slide the jewelry in super gently and pay attention! If you feel any stinging, discomfort, or resistance, take it out right away to avoid tearing.

Also, if you’re on the hunt for cute cartilage jewelry that doubles as a bold lobe piece, BodyCandy has tons of options that are perfect for mixing it up. Play around and find your vibe!

Q: What are the differences between titanium, stainless steel, and niobium jewelry?  -Sophia

A: Okay, here’s the tea on these three metals: price and allergies are the big deal. If you’re allergic to nickel, stainless steel might give you trouble since it has more nickel in it. Titanium is usually your safest bet. Most people with nickel allergies don’t react to it, which is why it’s the go-to for piercing jewelry.

If you have super sensitive skin, niobium is the rarest and least likely to cause a reaction, but heads up, it’s also the priciest and hardest to find. On the budget side, stainless steel is your cheapest option, titanium sits in the middle, and niobium is definitely the splurge. Hope that clears it up!

Disclaimer: Body Candy is only here to give you fun and helpful advice and information when it comes to getting pierced. Always consult a professional piercer to make sure a new piercing is right for you!