Helix piercing ring and its types

The helix is the protruding edge of the outer part of the ear, composed of cartilage. Therefore, the helix piercing is a perforation on the upper cartilage of the ear, allowing a person to wear jewelry or earrings.

Captivating bead rings, labret studs, and barbells are the common types of jewelry used for helix piercing. Captive bead rings are circular metal jewelry that can be bridged by a bar or a bead. Labret studs resemble earlobe studs, having straight bars with a flat disc on one side and a gemstone on the other side.

Barbells, on the other hand, also have a straight bar with beads on both ends. These barbells are available in all sizes and shapes. There are curved barbells, horseshoe-shaped barbells, partially circular barbells, and fully circular barbells. Whatever type of piercing you get, they will never miss that subtle and sophisticated look.

The helix piercing, also called the rim piercing, is where the upper ear cartilage is pierced. In most cases, a piercer will use a freehand method to pierce the ear when doing a helix piercing.

Now you see how important it is to know the size of your jewelry! If you need to measure your jewelry yourself, click here to see gauge sizes converted to millimeters. In the description of each item on our website, you will learn the gauge, material, and diameter/length of the item, and whether the item is sold as a single piece or pair, so you can be sure to get a good fit!

BARBELLS:

Barbells come in a range of shapes and sizes to fit almost any piercing. Tongue piercings, nipple piercings, belly button piercings, eyebrow piercings, rook piercings, vertical labret piercings, and much more use barbells!

Straight barbells are used for nipple and tongue piercings, while curved barbells are used for rook, vertical labret piercings, and eyebrow piercings. Curved barbells are also used for belly button piercings, generally in a larger size.

Helix

The helix piercing is the official name for the upper ear piercing that we know and love from the 80s! One of the more common cartilage piercings, helix piercings are typically pierced with a captive ring, a circular barbell, or a straight barbell on a small gauge, somewhere between 18G and 14G, depending on your ear and the jewelry you want to wear. Helix piercings cost between $30-$50 to start.

Forward Helix

The forward helix piercing is located on the same cartilage ridge on the upper ear as the helix piercing, but it is placed to have the piercing facing forward, above the tragus. Many people choose to have 2 or 3 piercings vertically aligned above the ear, and that is called a double or triple forward helix.

Snug Piercing

The snug piercing is placed in the antihelix fold of the ear cartilage towards the ear rim. Carefully placed between the ear folds, the snug piercing lives up to its name.

Hardware: Due to the location of the snug piercing, only small earrings like curved barbells or small hoops can be used for this piercing style.