About Body Jewellery:

• Measuring Body Jewellery
• Materials Used in Body Jewellery
• Care for Body Jewellery
• Body Jewellery and X-Rays
• History of Body Jewellery

We know how scary it can be buying products online so here are a few things you need to know about us.

• We are a division of Bast Apparel Pty Ltd.
• We have been operating online since 2009 and have just opened our first store in Browns Plains Qld.
• All our products are top quality and made from the highest quality material.  All items have a 30 day quality guarantee.  These items are not 'online auction' quality items.
  
• All prices shown include GST, Default currency is $AU.
• All items are sold individually unless otherwise stated.
• We are not Body Piercers.  Piercing questions should go straight to the professionals. 
  
• We want everyone to be happy with their online purchases, so please contact us if there are any problems.

Measuring Body Jewellery

The thickness of Body Jewellery pieces is measured using AWG, the American Wire Gauge system.  The higher the Gauge number, the lower the diameter.  This is originally due to the wire being pulled through successively smaller ‘dies’ to make the wire thinner.  The more dies the wire was pulled through, the higher the number of the die and the thinner it got.

The formula for converting Gauge into Millimeters is . 

Or you could just use the following conversion chart.

The Length Of Body Jewellery is measured in Inches.  The length is measured from the inside of the jewellery piece.

The following chart will help with converting the common inch sizes used in jewellery to millimeters.

 In the item descriptions the Ga (Gauge) refers to the diameter of the item, and mm refers to the length.  The following diagrams indicate how the length and gauge is measured.

Materials used in Body Jewellery

316L Stainless Steel – The most common material used in making body jewellery due to its strength, lustre and resistance to corrosion.  Although it is heavier than Titanium.   Apart from jewellery 316L Stainless Steel is also used in the manufacture of surgical tools and implants and is also commonly used in the petroleum and textile industries.

Titanium – Titanium is a light-weight yet strong material which is very corrosion resistant.  It is also less likely to react to body fluids making it great for new piercings.  It is becoming increasingly popular for use as jewellery as it is virtually nickel free.  Titanium can also be Anodized to create a layer of coloured oxide on its surface.  This creates various colours on the jewellery.   It has many applications including automotive, medical and dental (implants), military and aerospace.  

PTFE – PTFE or Teflon is lightweight, bendable and durable. It does not show up in Xrays and does not cause allergic reactions, it is often used in retainers or in jewellery where a little flexability is required. 

Acrylic – Acrylic is a transparent plastic and is often used in Plugs and Tapers.  Acrylic is a little more delicate than other materials used in jewellery and it requires regular cleaning as fluids can build up on the item, causing infection.  Acrylic jewellery should not be used on new piercings due to the risk of infection.

Gold – Gold body jewellery should not be any less than 14KT.   Gold Plated jewellery should not be used on new or healing piercings.  Although gold is easily scratched it is often chosen for is beauty and class. 

Wood and organic materials – Wood and organic materials are a good alternative to Acrylic for Plugs as it ‘breathes’ and does not tend to develop a smell like acrylic can, although care is still required or they can dry out.  Mineral oil can be used on them to help keep their shine and luster.  Organic material should not be used on new or healing piercings as they are porous and cannot be properly sterilized.   Only use high quality organic jewellery as cheaper items may contain cracks or impurities that can cause infection.  High quality pieces will have a good polish which will help as a barrier against foreign particles getting into the jewellery.

Care for Body Jewellery

Brand new Body Jewellery pieces are NOT STERILE.  It is very important to sterilize all body jewellery before use.  This will help stop infection.  An antibacterial solution or pure antibacterial soap should be used on all jewellery prior to use.   Do not use soap or solutions that contain perfumes or moisturizers.  Items that do not have any mechanical or vibrating parts, jewels or Acrylic or organic parts can be boiled to sterilize.   Clean all jewellery items regularly to help them keep their luster and shine.  It is also recommended to use a mineral oil or jojoba oil on organic items regularly to avoid splitting or cracking.  

Body Jewellery and X-rays

Medical professionals will often request you remove all jewellery and body jewellery prior to having any X-rays as metal jewellery will show up on the x-ray and could interfere with what the doctor wants to see.

Metal jewellery MUST be removed prior to having an MRI as this is basically a large magnet, and we all know what happens when you put magnets and metal together.

On most occasions your metal jewellery can be replaced with PTFE or acrylic jewellery if you do not want to risk your piercing closing up.  

Always ask your doctor if you are unsure.

History of Body Jewellery

Body Piercing has been practiced in many cultures since ancient times.  It has been thought that originally it was a sign of social status and wealth to have piercings.  The oldest mummified remains (approx 5000 years old) to have been found with piercings were of Otzi The Iceman (who was found frozen near the border of Switzerland and Italy) with an ear piercing from 1 to 000 Gauge.  The Biblical Book of Genesis also states in part “The man took out a gold nose ring”.

Piercings are performed for many reasons.  Religion, self-expression, rebellion, sexual pleasure and cultural conformity are just a few. 

The Egyptian goddess Bastet (Bast) is often depicted wearing a gold earring and septum ring. 

Body piercings have gone in and out of fashion throughout the years although they are now becoming increasingly popular and socially acceptable.  Nothing is off limits when it comes to body piercing and imagination is now the only boundary.