A flat back stud has a removable, internally threaded top on a smooth, flush post, while a labret stud has a fixed flat disc permanently on one end and a removable top on the other. A captive bead ring is a hoop held closed by a single bead under tension, while a segment ring looks similar but has a hinged or snap-in segment instead. If jewelry names like these have ever left you guessing at checkout, this glossary covers the terms that actually matter, in plain language, with real examples.
In this article
- Studs and flat backs
- Rings and hoops
- Barbells and curved jewelry
- Nose jewelry styles
- Other terms worth knowing
- FAQ
Studs and flat backs
Flat back stud. A post with a smooth, flat disc at one end that sits against the skin, and a removable decorative top (a ball, gem, or cluster) at the other. The standard choice for cartilage, since the flat disc stays comfortable against the ear even when you sleep on it. Our guide to threading covers how the removable top actually attaches.
Labret stud. Similar in shape to a flat back, but originally designed for lip and chin piercings, where the flat disc sits inside the mouth against the gum rather than against outer skin.
Threadless (push-pin) stud. A stud with no screw threads at all. The decorative top has a small bent pin that friction-fits into the post, which makes it fast to insert and remove without any twisting motion.
Solid 14K gold, internally threaded, with the smooth flat disc that defines the style.
Rings and hoops
Captive bead ring (CBR). A hoop with a small gap, closed by a bead held in place purely by the tension of the ring's own spring. Pressing the bead in or out with a special tool (or careful hands) is how it opens and closes.
Segment ring. Looks like a seamless hoop but has one small removable segment, either hinged or snap-in, making it easier to open and close than a true captive bead ring without sacrificing the clean, continuous look.
Seamless ring. A hoop that appears to have no gap or closure at all, typically opened by gently prying the two ends apart rather than removing a bead or segment.
Clicker. A hoop with a hinge on one side and a snap-together latch on the other, opening like a tiny clasp rather than needing a bead removed. Popular for cartilage because it's fast to put in and take out one-handed.
Solid 10K gold, with the hinge-and-latch closure that defines a clicker.
Barbells and curved jewelry
Straight barbell. A straight post with a removable (usually threaded) ball or gem on each end. Common in tongue and some cartilage piercings.
Curved barbell. The same concept as a straight barbell, but bent into a gentle arc. This is what most belly rings and many eyebrow piercings actually are, even though "belly ring" sounds like a ring shape.
Circular barbell. Bent into a much more pronounced horseshoe shape, with a ball on each end rather than one continuous hoop. Occasionally used in septum and some ear placements.
Nose jewelry styles
Nostril screw (nose screw). A single piece of bent wire shaped to coil slightly inside the nostril, holding itself in place without a clasp. No threading or bead involved at all.
Nose bone. A straight post with a small, fixed ball or shape on the back end that sits inside the nostril, wider than the post itself so it doesn't slip out. Inserted and removed in a single straight motion.
L-shape nose pin. A straight post with a 90-degree bend near the back, which rests against the inside of the nostril wall. A common style for everyday wear once a nostril piercing is healed.
Other terms worth knowing
Surface anchor (dermal anchor). A small base implanted under the skin with a single visible gem on top, used for flat-skin placements with no two exit points, unlike a standard piercing.
Retainer. Clear or low-profile jewelry meant to keep a piercing from closing when visible jewelry isn't allowed, for work, sports, or imaging appointments, without abandoning the piercing entirely.
Gauge. The thickness of the post itself, measured on a scale where, counterintuitively, a lower number means a thicker post. Our full gauge conversion chart breaks down every common size.
The Association of Professional Piercers covers acceptable materials and construction standards for most of these styles in more depth, worth a read alongside this glossary if you're shopping for a fresh piercing rather than an already-healed one.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a flat back and a labret stud?
Both have a fixed flat disc on one end and a removable top on the other. The difference is where they're meant to sit: a flat back's disc rests against outer skin, typically cartilage, while a labret's disc rests against the inside of the mouth, for lip and chin piercings.
Is a captive bead ring hard to put in myself?
It takes more practice than a clicker or a segment ring, since the bead relies entirely on the ring's tension to stay in place. Many people prefer a clicker or segment ring specifically for easier at-home changes.
What's the difference between a nose bone and a nostril screw?
A nose bone is a straight post with a fixed ball on the back that holds it in place by being wider than the hole. A nostril screw is a single bent wire that coils against the inside of the nostril instead, with no separate ball piece at all.
Can I use a surface anchor jewelry style anywhere on the body?
In principle yes, but surface anchors have a notably higher rejection rate than standard piercings, since the body treats the implanted base as a foreign object sitting just under flat skin rather than passing all the way through.
Now that you know the terms, find your style.
Every Zahav piece is solid gold, whatever the shape or closure.
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