What you need to know about wearing a shell jewelry hoop

A conch piercing pierces the cartilage of the inner ear, where, as the name suggests, the ear resembles a conch. The location makes it highly customizable, with people inserting everything from studs to barbells to clicker rings. One of the best ways to add boldness is to use a shell-shaped jewelry hoop.

Internal and external shell piercings can be conveniently matched with various types of hoop jewelry. The ring starts at the auricle and then wraps around the anti-helix and anti-helix folds and connects behind the ear. Here's what you need to know to choose the best ear hoop and where to find piercing jewelry.

What kind of hoop is needed for the sink?

The hoop style takes precedence over the conch piercing. The key is to find the look and size that suits your style. Here are a few different types of hoops that can be used for piercings.

Seamless 14k gold rings

Nothing says class and style quite like 14k gold hoop earrings. In-seam rings add a chic aesthetic that pairs perfectly with both skin tone and outfit. Even a small gold hoop will capture people's attention and imagination when they see it in your ear.

At Pierced.co, we offer several options for classic aesthetics, including rose, yellow and white gold jewelry. Options allow you to match your conch piercing hoop closer to your desired look. So you can look and feel better.

Clicker hoops

Clicker hoops differ from other rings in that they have a clasp that snaps behind the ear. The hoop locks into place once the earring snaps into place with two prongs. While jewelry provides a bold accent to your inner ear, you can also use it to decorate your septum, dite, cartilage, and nipple piercings.

Clicker rings are a more convenient alternative to segment rings. The regular segment ring has a detachable part that can be put on and taken off. The clicker has a loop that makes the whole object come together and you don't have to worry about losing any small details.

Captive Beaded Rings

A captive bead ring is almost a complete hoop with a bead connecting the two ends. Some jewelers offer options with gemstones or balls instead of beads. Remove the bead, thread the ring through the piercing and replace the bead once it is firmly in place.

The style appeals to both men and women. Captive beaded rings look stylish, modern and almost edgy. You can find hundreds of different styles, from gold to glass and sterling silver to stainless steel.

Alternative hoops

Horseshoes, shields and cuffs are more like hoops than hoops. They still provide a full loop around the ear with a charming decorative flair. Horseshoe shaped barbells are especially dynamic as you can use them for tragus, lobe and septum piercings.

Ready to make a splash with hoop earrings? Pierced.co can help. We offer a full range of high quality body jewelry from leading brands such as Junipurr Jewelry, Maria Tash, BVLA and Buddha Jewelry Organics. Find out more by browsing our sink collection today.

Our Favorite Shell Rings

What sink size should I choose?

You can measure hoop earrings in two ways: diameter and gauge. The diameter is measured at the widest point of the ring. The sensor calculates the width of the metal and should match the width of your piercing.

Concha piercings perforate the conch that is in the inside of your ear, so they are inherently discreet and compact. The best hoops err on the smaller side for a pleasing aesthetic and comfortable fit. Standard shell jewelry hoops are 3/8" to 1/2" or 10mm to 12mm in diameter.

The range of sizes provides a material that fits most shell piercings comfortably. You should use rings with a diameter of 10 to 12 mm to tightly fill the piercing of the date, cartilage or earlobe. If your concha piercing is deep in your ear, be sure to choose a slightly larger hoop.

You should only do more if you have an unusually deep concha piercing or a significant orbital piercing in another part of your ear. Otherwise, too large rings may seem unwieldy. Hoops sized 14mm and larger are best suited for nipple and earlobe piercings.

The size of the hoops includes the Goldilocks effect where you don't want to go too big, but you don't want too small either. A shell-shaped jewelry ring less than 10mm in diameter may not fit the ear properly. A tight circle can cause pinching or stress.

The smallest hoops are suitable for piercing the tragus, cartilage and helix. These areas allow the ring to hang gently without burdening it. No matter what size hoop you choose, you should always leave space between the hoop and the skin for an optimal look.

Gauge sizes give you more room to maneuver than diameter sizes because they vary depending on your body type. Most shell piercings are between 16 and 18 in size.

If you are unsure of your size, visit a local piercer. A professional can measure your piercing and make recommendations that fit your needs and style. You can also find all shell hoop and earring accessories at Pierced.co.