Septum piercings never go out of style, but there are a multitude of style options for septum jewelry. So, we are going to take a moment to discuss them in all their glory, so you can make an informed decision on what style is right for you!
Horseshoe/Circular Barbell
The original, the classic, the jewelry you probably got pierced with. Horseshoes are a classic for a reason. They’re comfortable, widely available, work in fresh and healed piercings alike, and you can even get them with nifty charm ends instead of simple ball ends. Bonus: You can flip these up inside your nose to instantly hide your piercing. A great choice if you work in a piercing-unfriendly environment. If you like to flip your jewelry up, be thoughtful if choosing charm ends. Make sure they will be comfortable to have inside your nostrils.
Captive Ring/Ball Closure Ring
The original “bull ring” style. These have a bit of an edgier look to them. Easily available and super comfortable, they’re great if you like a bolder style. The main downside to this jewelry is getting it in and out. That may require a special tool or going to your piercer so that you don’t permanently bend the jewelry out of shape while trying to place or remove the captive bead. However, they also come in captive charm styles so you can still rock a little extra fashion while knowing that your jewelry is not going anywhere.
Seamless Rings
Seamless rings don’t use a clasp or a bead to close. You simply push the ends back together. This makes them really easy to insert and remove on your own. However, they are not ideal for fresh piercings because the ends do not create a perfect seal. This can result in the fistula narrowing where the jewelry ends meet and make it difficult to remove. For a healed piercing, these can be a great option.
Clickers
Who doesn’t love this style? All the look of circular jewelry but with a straight barbell that simply clicks shut. The only downside of these is it would wise to make sure that clasp isn’t so tight that the jewelry becomes difficult to remove.
Hinged Segment Ring
These are like a clicker in that they are hinged but use a curved segment instead of a straight barbell and the clasp is hidden inside the ring portion. This creates a seamless appearance but without that bit of empty space you may get with a seamless circular ring. Widely available and with many style and color choices, the same warning for clickers also applies to segment rings. Make sure you can get it out BEFORE you put it in. Otherwise, you may need a trip to the piercer for some extra help.
Pinchers
These are crescent shaped rings for your septum. They are held in place with rubber O-rings or by utilizing a small notch at the center to hold them in place. These are very commonly used by people who are stretching their septum and are often available in larger gauges. The downside of a notched pincher is that it is (obviously) not the same gauge all the way through the ring. This means that you may have some issues removing them because the notch is of a narrower diameter than the ring. Also, some people find O-rings to be a hassle and simply prefer not to deal with them. But pinchers make for a fascinating look that really makes an impression.
Tusks/Spikes
These are simply straight bars, often made of organic materials or glass, that frequently come in larger gauges. They are great for a “modern primitive” style or if you simply want some super eye-catching jewelry in your septum. Just make sure you choose your length carefully, so it doesn’t catch on to anything. These are not jewelry for a fresh piercing but for an older one or one that is being stretched, they are perfectly fine.
One of the best things about the septum piercing is the near-endless array of styles and looks you can achieve with them. Each jewelry style choice comes with more choices in terms of ends, colors, finishes, and materials. The options are nearly endless. Kind of makes you want to put together a shopping list, doesn’t it? Happy piercing!
