Why You Should Never Use an Earring as a Nose Ring
Your nose piercing is healed, and you’re ready to experiment with your look, or maybe you accidentally lost your usual nose ring and are looking for a quick substitute. Spotting the abundance of earrings you have, you wonder, “Can I use an earring as a nose ring?” It may seem like a good idea but trust us you don’t want to be using an earring as a nose ring.
Short answer: You can … but don’t. Let us explain why.
1. It’s uncomfortable Nose rings are designed to fit and stay in your nose. The common types are the twist/U-shape, bone, L-shape, captive bead ring, and seamless closure you see here. Notice how none look like the standard push back or latch back used for earrings. The design of nose rings makes them easier to wear and put in your nose. Can you imagine how uncomfortable it would be to have a post poking the inside of your nose all day or trying to latch an earring back inside your nostril? Avoid the discomfort by choosing jewelry meant for your nose.
2. The gauge may be different Gauge refers to the width of your piercing. The standard size for a nose ring is 20 gauge, which is .8mm thick. Some piercers will go with 18 gauge to allow for a thicker hoop, which is more suitable for larger noses or piercings placed higher up on the nose. The smallest gauge used for nose piercings is 22. This is unusual in the U.S., but it’s common in India, the Middle East, and other places where nose piercings are culturally significant. Earrings also range in gauge size. Standard ear piercings are 20 or 18 gauge if they were pierced with a gun, and 16 or 14 gauge if they were pierced by a professional. How confident are you in your gauge sizes? If you end up trying to put a 14-gauge earring into a 20-gauge nose piercing, you could tear your piercing. It typically takes two months to stretch your ears one gauge size larger, so imagine trying to go three sizes larger all at once! If you manage to get the larger-gauge jewelry through your piercing, expect soreness and beware an increased risk of infection. It could also change the shape of your piercing, which will make it harder to go back to safer jewelry made specifically for your nose.
3. You’re likely to lose it Going back to the different styles of nose rings, they’re all designed for your nose and to stay in your nose. Many hold themselves in place, making it easy to put the ring or stud in and leave it there. Earrings, on the other hand, typically use a back or a latch to stay in place. If you aren’t able to secure the jewelry, it’s going to fall out and then you’re back to wondering what to use in place of your nose ring while also being short an earring.
4. The metals are bad for your piercing Wearing high-quality body jewelry is super important. You should always wear pure metals in your nose piercing to keep it from getting irritated or infected. A lot of costume or fashion earrings are made with silver-plated metals, which are terrible for your nose. Silver can oxidize and leave black marks on your skin. The marks are more noticeable on your face. Nickel is one of the most common skin allergens, and it’s used in a lot of jewelry. Irritation and infection always look and feel worse when the reaction is front and center.
5. People can tell Nose rings are designed to fit your nose. When you choose something made for a different part of your body, it’s not going to look as good or even in proportion with your nose.
It’s worth it to spend the money on high-quality nose rings. You’ll keep yourself healthier and looking better in the long run. Imagine years from now having a permanent black mark on your face because you decided you’d rather use an earring as a nose ring than buy high-quality body jewelry.
At Lavari Jewelers, we’re committed to offering high-quality jewelry at affordable prices so you can look and feel your best without spending a ton. Your future self will thank you for choosing one of our stylish and safe options! Check out our nine curated picks for jewelry lovers looking to change up their nose rings.
Have more questions about nose piercings? Want to learn more about this centuries-old tradition of self-expression? Read our Nose Piercings Styles, Sizes, and More blog post.
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For 3+ years working with & writing for jewelry brands such as Lavari Jewelers and Metro Jewelry, with a background in Fashion Design, Jessika educates and inspires readers and customers alike. You can find more from Jessika on Lavari Jewelers Instagram & Facebook as well as Metro Jewelry's Instagram & Facebook.
