A conch piercing is a special ear piercing about halfway up your ear. You can identify the area where a conch piercing belongs by feeling your earlobe with your fingers.
You will notice that the soft cartilage of your earlobe suddenly turns to hard cartilage. There, within the deeper “shell” of the ear, is where a conch piercing belongs.
If you are planning to get a conch piercing — or you want to replace your current conch jewelry — you might be curious about conch piercing sizes. What gauge is a conch piercing?
To begin, you should consider what gauge size you will need. In addition, you will want to select the correct barbell length or hoop diameter.
Conch Piercing Size
There are three different sizes that you may need to consider when selecting conch piercing jewelry: the gauge, the length and the ring diameter.
The most common gauge sizes for these piercings are 14 gauge and 16 gauge. If you have barbell jewelry for your piercing, it may need to be between 6 mm and 8 mm in length. For those with ring jewelry, diameters between 10 mm and 14 mm are common.
1. What Gauge Is a Conch Piercing?
Most conch piercings are made with jewelry that is either 14 gauge or 16 gauge. The 14-gauge size is equivalent to 2 mm in diameter. The 16-gauge size measures 1.6 millimeters in diameter.
(Remember, that gauge numbers and jewelry size have an inverse relationship. As the gauge goes up, the diameter of the jewelry goes down.)
Whether you have a stud, a bar or a hoop in your conch piercing, the gauge measurement applies to the jewelry that you use.
If you replace your current jewelry, it’s often a good idea to stick with the same gauge size that you currently have so that it will fit your hole without risking shrinking.
2. Conch Piercing Length Sizes
Many people wear studs or barbell jewelry in their conch piercings. If you’re like most people, though, you will probably need a post that is at least 6 mm long. On average, 8 mm is long enough for most people.
The best length can vary from one person to another. Which size best fits you will depend on how thick the cartilage of your ear is.
When you first got this piercing, your piercer may have used a slightly longer barbell than you will need long-term. That’s because fresh piercings usually swell.
The extra length would have accommodated the swelling. Once your piercing has healed, you may be able to use a shorter piece of bar jewelry.
3. Conch Ring Diameters
Others prefer to put rings in their conch piercings instead of barbells. If you use a ring, you won’t need to think of the jewelry’s length. Instead, you will pay attention to its diameter.
For most people, a ring size between 10 mm and 14 mm works well. You can decide whether you want your earring to fit snugly or hang a bit loosely. Anything smaller than 10 mm may be too snug for comfort. Over 14 mm, the hoop may droop instead of sitting close to the piercing hole.
The ring must be long enough to comfortably go around the outside of your ear. If you choose a ring with too small of a diameter, your earring will pinch you.
How large the diameter needs to be depends on where your conch piercing is located. If the hole is closer to the outer edge of your ear, the ring can be smaller. If the piercing is toward the center of your ear, you’ll need a larger ring.
4. Other Sizes for Conch Piercings
Some people want large-gauge jewelry for their conch piercings. To accomodate larger pieces, your piercer may use a biopsy punch to form your initial hole.
However, not all piercers specialize in that technique. How large you can go may depend on your ear size. For some people, 6 gauge (4 mm) is high enough. Other people’s ears can accommodate 0-gauge jewelry (8 mm).
How to Choose a Conch Piercing Size？
To begin with, your piercer is likely to give you a 14- or 16-gauge piece of jewelry. After the initial piercing heals, you can go down in size for a more delicate look if you’d like. If you do, keep in mind that you may need to stay at the smaller size from that point on.
To choose a stud or a barbell, measure the length of your current piece. Go 1 mm smaller if you want a shorter piece or 1 mm longer if you’d like more movement.
As for rings, use a ruler to measure the distance from the hole to the outer edge of your ear.
In general, you will probably want to select a 16- or 14-gauge piece of jewelry for your conch piercing. You may need a barbell that is 6 mm to 8 mm long, or you could use a hoop between 10 and 14 mm. Your piercing professional can help you select the best size and placement for your conch piercing goals.
Types of Conch Jewelry
It’s important to select the correct jewelry for your conch piercing to support its healing and ensure a comfortable fit.
Conch Stud Piercing
Piercing stud implant-grade titanium with cubic zirconia 16G $18.9, SHOP NOW.
For an inner conch piercing, you’ll want to select a conch stud. This will go right through the center of your ear and can be adorned with a metal ball, diamond, shape, or arrangement of gemstones.
Conch Piercing Hoop
Gold hoop with a chain and CZ titanium 16G $21.9, SHOP NOW.
For an outer conch piercing or an orbital conch piercing, you’ll likely be selecting a hoop. Hoops come in different materials and styles that you can change out once your piercing is fully healed.
Conch Jewelry Materials
Some of the most popular materials for conch earrings include:
1. Implant-Grade Titanium
Conch piercing jewelry made of implant-grade titanium is a great option because titanium is lightweight, nickel-free, and won’t tarnish. It may help you avoid an allergic reaction and the need to frequently change out the jewelry. This metal is also used in the medical field for things like joint replacements and bone pins.
2. 14K Gold
Gold offers an elegant look and is a durable material, though yellow gold is often more hypoallergenic, and white gold can be more durable because it has nickel and other metal alloys.
3. Implant-Grade Stainless Steel
A hypoallergenic option that’s often safe for those with sensitive skin.
4. Bioplastic
Soft, flexible plastic that may be recommended if you undergo surgery, X-rays, or other procedures that require you to remove metals from your body.
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering a conch piercing, there are many different advantages to consider. However, you should also weight the risks.
If you’re dedicated to performing the appropriate aftercare, you could have a healthy piercing that you can enjoy for years to come.
