Are your ear lobes stretched or are you thinking of stretching them?  Alot of people consider gauging up their lobes but aren't sure what type of body jewelry is available for this type of piercing. This guide will show you different styles available to you on the market today.

Tunnels

Tunnels are a straight shaft with a hollow center secured in place by o-rings.  Some tunnels come grooved to better hold the o-rings in place so they dont fall out and get lost.  Tunnels allow you to see through the lobe which is easier to do with larger gauges, this is why you will less likely see tunnels in smaller gauges. You can also wear captive rings and circular barbells through them to change up the look from time to time.  You can find tunnels in many different materials including organics.  There aren't too  many decoration options available because of the plain open end.

Threaded Tunnels

Threaded tunnels are great because you don't have to worry about losing o-rings but on the same note you can buy a lost o-ring and still wear your jewelry but if you lose a piece off a threaded tunnel its pretty much useless.  Threaded tunnels feature one side that screws off so you can insert your jewelry and then thread it back on.  You can find threaded tunnels in all materials such as surgical steel, titanium, pvd, acrylic, uv acrylic.  You can also find them in many designs and styles such as marbled, different shaped ends, swirled, ends with sayings, gemstone ends.  Another great feature of threaded tunnels it they allow you to see and wear jewelry through the hole.  If your gauge is large enough you can wear captive rings, circular barbells and seamless rings through the center.  This lets you change it up from time to time.

Single Flared Earlets

Single flared earlets are a simple version of a tunnel with one flared end and a straight end secured by an o-ring.  The flared end keeps the jewelry from coming through the piercing while the straight end allows for easy insertion.  Some single flared earlets come with grooves to better hold the o-rings in place which prevents them from falling off and getting lost.  The amount of flare varies between manufacturers and sometimes the flare isn't big enough and can actually slip through.  When buying this type of jewelry look for a nice sized flare that will secure it in place as well as enough length for the width of your lobes.  You can find this style made in all materials such as surgical steel, titanium and acrylics.  Styles vary from spiked outer edges to sayings, gemstones and color patterns.  This style also allows you to wear other types of rings through the center.

Double Flared Earlets

Unlike the single flared earlets the double flared earlets have no o-rings and both ends are flared.  Depending on how much flare the earlet has only those with larger gauges and alot of extra play can comfortably and safely insert this style.  Because the flare is larger than the gauge you purchased this means you need to stretch this flare into your lobe.  The safest way to insert this jewelry is by inserting part of the flare into your lobe and working its way around.  Sort of like putting a chain back onto a bike. You need to be careful when purchasing this style of jewelry because oddly enough some are manufactured with flares that are ridiculous and impossible to insert.  If you purchase acrylic earlets with flares that are too  large you can simply shave one end down with a nail file or such but with metals this isnt possible.  You should never force a flare through your lobe, this can cause cuts and bleeding as well as blowouts.  Double flared earlets come in all materials but are limited with styles because the ends are small and cant offer alot of edging for decoration.  You will find some with one larger decorated end and one simple flared insertion end (example above).  Again you can wear captive rings and circular barbells through these earlets for extra decoration.

Plugs

Plugs are just that...PLUGS...they plug your hole.  Plugs are a straight design with o-rings on both ends to secure it in place.  Some come grooved to better hold o-rings in place. This is the most popular style for stretched lobes and offer the most design and style options.  Everyday a new plug comes out with a different decoration, character face or color combination.  You will find plugs in all materials, colors and designs the styles seem to be endless. Plugs come as small as 14g and go all the way up.  One thing you will notice with larger gauges is your style options become limited so that is something to keep in mind if you are thinking of stretching your lobes even bigger.  Small plugs (4g or less) come in limited colors and really cant offer much for designs since there is barely any surface space to decorate.  Very large plugs (3/4" and larger) are more often found to be made out of organics and plain acrylic.  The demand isnt very high for 2" plugs but you can find them and most likely in wood and natural materials.  Oraganics are very appealing to the dedicated stretched lobe enthusiasts because for one to stretch so large does so for reasons that are more primitive and cultural than most.  Another thing to keep in mind is the larger you go the more expensive the jewelry becomes.  Larger gauges require more material and more often than not such large gauges are made in smaller quantities and even by hand. 

Double Flared Plugs

Just like double flared earlets these plugs require some extra play with your lobes.  Because the flare goes beyond the gauge you will need to squeeze them into your lobes.  You can use a lubricant that is safe to your jewelry for extra ease but do not force a flared plug that has too much flare for your lobe.  Forcing a flare through can tear your  lobe and cause blowouts.  You can find double flared plugs in all materials shapes and sizes and just like regular plugs the designs seem to be endless.  Some flared plugs have been made with a single flared end and an o-ring on the opposite end but this is mainly for smaller gauges to give the front end more space for decoration.

Crescents, Talons & Tapers

Crescents, talons and tapers where made to mimic the natural materials primitives used for jewelry back in time.  Carved materials and bones were often used in their lobes and noses and this is where these designs originated from.  Because the primitives shaved down the materials they found with stones and sharp edges this explains the tapered effect of these styles, starting small and getting wider.  Now incorporated into colorful patterns and designs we have this style of body jewelry.  Crescents are horseshoe shaped and can be secured into lobes with o-rings, its also common for crescents to be worn in septum piercings.  Talons and tapers are great for not only wearing as jewelry but also aiding in the stretching process.  Again these styles can be secured in place with o-rings.  You will find these styles in all materials especially in organics.  The most common decoration you will see aside from color patterns is the top of talons and tapers accented with gemstones, stars and such.

Unique Shapes

Aside from traditional and popular designs there are many unique styles. Some of these styles offer one of a kind designs hand made by actual tribes.  One thing to keep in mind with these styles is will it stay in your ear and is it comfortable.  Alot of the hand made unique pieces are oddly shaped and heavy, some fall out easily and some are meant for show.  Be careful with heavy materials because they can cause unwanted stretching but at the same note some of these can assist you with that process.  These unique styles are more pricey than most and should be purchased wisely.

Captive Rings, Circular Barbells & Seamless Rings

Although these styles can be worn in many different tyoes of piercings they can also be worn in stretched lobes.  Rings are a popualr choice because they are offered with the ability to change out the balls to wear different colors.  Rings are also easy to come across and can be found in gauges up to 00g.  Larger captives can be found if you look around but remember the larger the gauge the heavier these rings will get, acrylic is a great light weight alternative.  With captive rings the ball is held in by the rings pressure, the ball is dimpled and snaps in and out for ring insertion.  Circular barbells offer screw on ends which again can be interchanged for different color combinations.  Circulars are also popular to wear through hollow tunnels.  The same weight issue applies with larger gauges, acrylic is also available in this style.  Seamless rings are just like captives except the ball is hidden and is actually part of the ring.  The ring design continues but is held into place by the same method of pressure (captive).  This allows your ring to appear seamless and is sometimes referred to as the "segment" ring.  These work great in alot of piercings and can freely swirl around without worries of pinching or your piercing absorbing the ball.

Thanks for reading our guide to jewelry types for stretched lobes, we hope you have found this informative and helpful when selecting your next choice in ear gear.

Feel free to email us with special requests or additional questions, we are always with your best interests.

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