Conch jewellery: titanium hoops and studs

Here are some guidelines for choosing jewellery for a healed piercing, adapted to your ear. Your piercer determines the dimensions for initial piercing jewellery.

A hoop's diameter is measured on the inside; a post's length is measured along its wearable section, excluding the decorative detail. Compare with jewellery that already fits you and have the measurement confirmed if you're unsure.

For more guidance, see our conch guide.

For more guidance, read our articles on conch hoop sizing and choosing a hoop for an initial piercing. The latter discusses the piercing procedure; our catalogue jewellery is for healed piercings.

A flat-back labret stud highlights the hollow of your ear; a hoop wraps around its edge. The choice mainly depends on your piercing's position and your anatomy. A light-catching design adds detail to the centre, while a smooth hoop creates a more defined line.

Allow 6 to 9 months, sometimes longer, for this cartilage piercing to heal. The time depends on your ear and everyday snagging and pressure. An absence of pain is not enough to confirm healing: your piercer can check its progress before a jewellery change.

The piercing passes through cartilage: brief pain and tenderness afterwards are possible. The sensation varies considerably from person to person.

Sitting in the hollow of your ear, the conch may be less exposed to hair snagging than a piercing on the edge, such as the helix. This may reduce some irritation during healing, without guaranteeing less pain or faster healing. Avoid pressure and earphones that touch the jewellery.

Wait until your piercing has fully healed and have your piercer confirm this before changing jewellery for a different look. An ear that looks settled on the surface may still be fragile inside. Downsizing the post during healing is an adjustment carried out by your piercer, different from changing to decorative jewellery. The jewellery in this selection is for healed piercings.

Avoid sleeping directly on this piercing while it heals. A pillow with a hole, with your ear resting in the opening, may reduce pressure. Afterwards, only resume if the contact feels comfortable: even with a healed piercing, jewellery must not press into your ear during the night.

Wash your hands before aftercare. Clean with a sterile wound-care saline solution containing 0.9 % sodium chloride, then dry gently with a clean disposable gauze pad, preferably non-woven. Choose this rather than cotton wool or cotton buds to reduce fibres that can catch on the jewellery.

Do not rotate the jewellery, and minimise handling, pressure and snagging. Avoid sleeping on the piercing while it heals, as well as alcohol and irritating products. Gentle aftercare supports healing; doing it more often does not speed up the process.

If pain increases, redness spreads or you develop a fever, seek medical advice promptly.

A hoop must not pinch or distort the cartilage. If you feel pressure, have your piercer check the diameter: a few millimetres can make a difference to comfort. Do not force a hoop that is too small to achieve a very close fit.

Our piercing jewellery is made from hypoallergenic titanium. Our jewellery has undergone laboratory testing. You'll find the material, finish and dimensions on each product page to help you choose your piece with confidence.

Gold-tone brings warmth to your ear stack; the white-gold-coloured finish gives it bright, light reflections with a chrome-like appearance. This describes the colour: the base material is still titanium. A styling tip: bluish or purplish veins may point towards cool tones, while greenish veins may point towards gold-tone. It's a styling guide, not a rule: try both near your face in natural light.