How to Accurately Measure Your Jewellery Using Calipers

One of the most common questions in body jewellery is about its size. Getting precise measurements is really important, and you can do this using a measuring tool or a card that has holes for the Jewellery and a ruler with clear millimetre markings. Or you can use digital callipers, which are easy to find and not too expensive, especially online. In this guide, we'll focus on how to measure with callipers.

Thickness (or gauge)

If you want to figure out the thickness (or gauge) of your Jewellery, it's quite simple. Place the jewellery piece between the ends of the callipers and gently close them. The most common gauges for body jewellery are 14 millimetres (for navel and industrial piercings), 16 gauge (often used for cartilage piercings), and 18 gauge (typical for nostril piercings). Before you start, make sure you set the callipers to zero to get accurate readings. Specifically, 14 gauge jewellery will be 1.6mm thick, 16 gauge will be 1.2mm thick, and 18 gauge will be 1mm thick. If your callipers give more precise measurements, you might need to round your result to the nearest tenth of a millimetre.

Length of Jewellery 

Measuring the length of your jewellery might seem a bit tricky for some people. Standard sizes for body jewellery may not match everyone's unique anatomy. You might need a longer bar for an industrial piercing, but you're not sure about the size of your current barbell. Or your belly ring might be a bit too long, and you want a shorter one. Don't worry; figuring out the right size is easy when you know how to measure.

Straight Barbells

For straight barbells, just put your zeroed-out callipers between the ball ends and slowly open them until they touch the ends of the barbell. The process is the same for curved barbells: measure the distance between the ends while keeping the callipers aligned with the jewellery's endpoints.

Circular Jewellery 

Circular jewellery needs a slightly different approach. For example, a captive ring, segment ring, or any circular piercing ornament should be measured across its centre. Hold the jewellery piece by its edge, put your zeroed-out callipers in the middle of the ring, and extend them until they can't go any further. The number you get is the length of your jewellery 

L-shaped Nose Jewellery

In the case of L-shaped nose jewellery, measure from the end to the bend, which can be a bit tricky. In such cases, using tweezers or specialized jewellery pliers can help.

Nipple Shields 

Nipple shields require a unique approach. Instead of focusing on the barbell, look at the shield itself. Shields have two openings where the barbell goes through. You need to measure the space between these two openings. If, for example, this space is 14mm, and you need jewellery that's 16mm long, the size of the barbell doesn't matter because it won't fit. You might also need to measure the shield's opening vertically to make sure the jewellery is comfortable for your nipple; this is called the "rise"

Measuring Plugs 

Finally, for those measuring plugs that go in your ears, focus on the part that goes through your earlobe, not the outer "flare" that rests outside your ear.

In conclusion, body piercing enthusiasts should have a set of callipers. With this knowledge on how to measure your jewellery accurately, you can confidently buy that beautiful piece of jewellery you've been eyeing online, knowing it will fit perfectly with your collection.