Non-Piercing Body Jewelry

For a lot of people, real body jewelry is too much of a hassle. These people buy faux or “non-piercing” body jewelry instead. Some are squeamish about the pain of getting a piercing. Others may have doubts that a piece of body jewelry will look good on them, and are hesitant to make the commitment. Still others really want a body piercing, but aren’t old enough to get one yet (and don’t have their parents’ permission!). And for some, body jewelry is a look just for Halloween or other fantasy costume occasions—not forever.

• Styles of Non-Piercing Body Jewelry

Non-piercing body jewelry comes in almost all the varieties of the real kind. More common, of course, are the styles that you can see in public—nose rings, labret rings, and for crop-top wearers, navel rings. But virtually any type of piercing can be faked. Non-piercing body jewelry works much like a clip-on earring: two ends of the fake piece close around a small fold of skin.

• Where To Find Non-Piercing Body Jewelry

You can find fake body jewelry at most of the places that sell the real McCoy—tattoo and piercing parlors, low-price jewelry stores, and outdoor carnivals and craft fairs. Be prepared, though, for a smaller selection than you’d get if you were shopping for real body jewelry. For more choices, try doing a Web search for faux body jewelry online.

• Advantages of Fake Body Jewelry

As mentioned above, non-piercing jewelry is a great way to try a look if you aren’t sure yet whether to get the piercing. Wearing the fake piece can give you the confidence to take the plunge—or it can save you from a little pain and a lifelong change you weren’t really ready for. In addition, non-piercing body jewelry is often less expensive.

• Drawbacks of Fake Body Jewelry

Fake body jewelry is almost always lower quality than real. It can also get you in trouble with people who thought you had real piercings—if you care about that sort of thing!