Conch piercings are super hot these days. Actually, they’ve never gone out of style to begin with. This piercing, located along the inner curve of the ear, has remained stylish since body piercing became more accessible and a touch more mainstream. And while everyone loves a gorgeous new piercing, you may be wondering why THAT specific piercing has stayed so trendy. Well, the answer may come down to one simple thing – endless jewelry options!
1. Flatback Labret
The standard conch piercing is located in a position that allows for both straight jewelry and circular jewelry. That means that virtually any style of cartilage jewelry can work in a conch piercing. Generally, it is pierced with a labret. These flatback studs are the workhorses of the piercing jewelry world. You may associate them with basic, boring, jewelry-you-got-pierced-with but you couldn’t be more wrong. Not only do they come in a vast range of finishes, lengths, and ends, but they are also really comfortable. And a conch piercing is an excellent place to rock one because it really showcases whatever end you choose. Gem end, a fun holiday-themed charm end, cone end, they all look fantastic sitting in a conch piercing.
2. Captive Bead Ring
If you prefer an edgier, more alternative look, you can’t go wrong with the classic captive ring. Captive bead rings look fantastic wrapped around your ear and the conch is the perfect piercing to let you rock this look. They’re unisex, easy to find in different finishes, and you can even grab a captive charm ring – one where the closure is a fancy charm instead of a bead. This is a look that never stops being on-trend. While captive rings can be a challenge to insert and remove on your own, you always have the option of having a piercer insert or remove it for you. Or if you’re more of an independent type, you can pick up a pair of captive ring openers to help you get the job done. Just remember to be careful with that captive bead/charm and close the bathroom drain if you’re working over the sink!
3. Stud + Chain Combo
If neither of the above styles works quite works for you, or if you just like to split the difference…. why not try a chain and stud combo? A straight stud combined with dangling chain gives you that circular jewelry look with the comfort and ease of a labret. Chain variants of piercings, such as the chain dangle industrial, have been trending and it’s easy to see why. With the airy look of a chain giving you circular style but keeping the ease and availability of straight jewelry with a style that’s easy to manage on your own – what more could you possibly ask for? You can even mix up finishes and try different ends or chain styles and get a totally different look every time. That’s a combination you can’t beat!
4. Clickers & Hinged Segment Rings
Perhaps you simply don’t have the desire to deal with a captive ring. (That’s ok, it’s not required.) This is where clickers come in! Clickers are a favorite because they also come in endless variety. (Straight or circular, finishes, diameters, charms or no charms…the options are mind-blowing!) Not only that, but clickers are also easy!!!! The latch design means you can literally hear the barbell “click” into place. Or if you prefer the same concept but don’t want to see the latch, perhaps a hinged segment ring is more your speed. These too come in a virtually endless array of styles and designs. Goth, glam, boho, you name it and there’s a hinged segment ring with your name on it. Their seamless design means you cannot tell where they start and stop, and they still have the simple closure style of a clicker.
Conch piercings aren’t going out of style any time soon. But the jewelry you can wear in a conch piercing just keeps on coming. More and more jewelry options continue to hit the market all the time. So, whether you already have a conch piercing or are thinking about getting one, your options are almost unlimited. It’s almost enough to make you want to go shopping, right?
Happy piercing!
