A complete guide to choosing, sizing, and upgrading your septum jewelry
The septum piercing is one of the most versatile facial piercings available. The right piece of septum piercing jewelry frames the lower face beautifully. The wrong piece, whether the wrong style, wrong size, or wrong material, can look uncomfortable, sit awkwardly, or cause persistent irritation.
This guide covers every septum jewelry style in detail — what each one looks like, how the closures work, what sizing means, which materials are safe, and specific product recommendations at every price point, from budget-friendly titanium to solid gold.
Whether you have a fresh septum piercing, are looking for your first upgrade, or have a healed one ready for something more decorative, this guide has the right answer for your situation.
❝ Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All recommendations are based on material safety, quality, and genuine suitability for septum piercings.
Septum Jewelry 101: The Basics Before You Buy
Gauge
The gauge is the thickness of the jewelry post or wire. Most septum piercings are done at 16g (1.2mm). Some studios use 14g (1.6mm) for a slightly more substantial look.
Always match your replacement jewelry to the gauge at which you were pierced. Going larger forces the channel open. Going smaller allows the channel to begin narrowing around the thinner wire.
If you are unsure of your gauge, your piercer can confirm it in seconds. Do not guess.
Diameter
Diameter is the internal measurement across the ring or horseshoe — the space that sits inside the nostrils.
The most common septum diameters are 8mm and 10mm. Most people fit 8mm comfortably. People with a wider nose or who prefer the jewelry to sit lower may prefer 10mm.
A diameter that is too small creates pressure on the septum tissue. A diameter that is too large means the jewelry hangs too low, and the ball ends are visible below the nostrils rather than sitting neatly inside them.
Material
For a fresh septum piercing, implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136) is the professional standard. It is nickel-free, lightweight, and can be anodized to produce color without coatings.
For a healed septum piercing, solid 14k or 18k nickel-free gold, niobium, or implant-grade steel are all appropriate additions to the material options.
Avoid fashion jewelry, mystery metal, plated rings, and acrylic in any septum piercing at any stage. For the full material guide, see our article on which jewelry is safe for sensitive skin and those with metal allergies.
| Spec | Common Size | Notes |
| Gauge | 16g (1.2mm) | Match to your original piercing. 14g is also common. |
| Diameter | 8mm or 10mm | 8mm fits most. 10mm for wider noses or lower hang preference. |
| Fresh piercing material | ASTM F136 titanium | Nickel-free, lightweight, anodisable. Non-negotiable for healing. |
| Healed piercing material | Titanium, gold, niobium, steel | Wider options once fully healed at 3 to 6 months. |
Best Septum Jewelry Styles: Every Type Reviewed
1. Horseshoe barbell — the classic and most versatile
The horseshoe barbell is the defining style of septum jewelry. A U-shaped bar with threaded ball ends on each tip sits inside the nostrils with both balls visible below the nose.
Its defining practical advantage is concealability. Rotate the horseshoe so that both ball ends point upward and sit completely inside the nostrils, making the piercing invisible. This is why the septum is the most practical facial piercing for professional environments.
Ball ends come in plain metal, gem-set, and shaped varieties. Spike ends create a more dramatic look. Flat disc ends give a subtler finish.
Product Recommendation: Implant-Grade Titanium Horseshoe Barbell 16g
Product Recommendation: Solid 14k Gold Horseshoe Barbell Septum Ring
2. Clicker ring — the most popular upgrade
The clicker ring has a hinged segment that opens and clicks securely shut. Insert through the septum channel, align the segment, and press until it clicks into place. No tools needed, reliable closure, easy to put in and take out.
Clicker rings are currently the most popular septum jewelry style in the body piercing community. The decorative options are vast — from simple minimal metal to elaborate gem-set pieces, crescent shapes, floral designs, and custom artisan work.
The clicker suits healed septum piercings. The repeated handling required to open and close it makes it unsuitable for fresh piercings still in the healing phase.
Product Recommendation: Titanium Septum Clicker Ring 16g
Product Recommendation: Gold Septum Clicker Ring Decorative
3. Seamless ring — the minimalist choice
A seamless ring is a continuous circle of metal with a small gap that allows it to be opened by gently twisting the ends past each other.
When properly closed, the join is nearly invisible — creating a clean, unbroken ring with no visible closure mechanism. This is the most minimal septum look available and has a purity of aesthetic that appeals to people who want their piercing to look like it simply belongs on their face.
Seamless rings require a slight technique to open and close correctly. The correct motion is a twist, not a pull — pulling distorts the ring out of round permanently. With practice, it becomes second nature.
Seamless rings are for healed septum piercings only.
Product Recommendation: Implant-Grade Titanium Seamless Ring 16g
Product Recommendation: Solid 14k Gold Seamless Ring Septum
4. Circular barbell — the horseshoe variation
A circular barbell is similar to a horseshoe, but with a slightly more open U-shape, bringing the two ball ends closer together below the nose.
The visual effect is a tighter, more contained look than a standard horseshoe. It also flips up to hide, making it equally practical for concealment.
The circular barbell is a good option for people who find the standard horseshoe sits slightly wide for their anatomy.
Product Recommendation: Titanium Circular Barbell Septum 16g
5. Segment ring — the seamless look made easier
A segment ring looks identical to a seamless ring when worn. The difference is that a small removable segment pops free rather than requiring the whole ring to be twisted open.
This makes it significantly easier to open than a seamless ring while producing the same clean, continuous look when worn. For people who struggle with seamless ring technique, the segment ring delivers the same aesthetic with better usability.
Product Recommendation: Titanium Segment Ring Septum 16g
Best Septum Jewelry by Budget
Budget: Under $20 — Implant-grade titanium
Implant-grade titanium is the sweet spot for budget-conscious buyers. It is genuinely body-safe, available in anodized colors, lightweight, and priced accessibly from reputable suppliers.
For under $20, you can get a well-made titanium horseshoe, seamless ring, or clicker from a verified supplier. This is the range where most people build their first post-healing septum jewelry collection.
Product Recommendation: OUFER 16g Titanium Septum Ring Set
Mid-range: $20 to $60 — Niobium and premium titanium
In this range, you find niobium options, higher-quality titanium from more established body jewelry brands, and decorative titanium clickers with gem or shaped details.
Niobium is worth considering in this range. Like titanium, it is completely nickel-free and anodisable for color, with a slightly heavier feel that some people prefer for septum jewelry.
Premium: $60 and above — Solid gold
Solid 14k or 18k gold is the premium tier for healed septum piercings. The weight, warmth, and color depth of solid gold are unmatched by any other material.
In this range, you also find artisan and custom-designed pieces from specialist body jewelry brands. BVLA, Junipurr Jewelry, and Buddha Jewelry Organics all produce solid gold septum pieces with documented nickel-free alloy compositions.
For the complete gold jewelry guide, including karat explanations and when to make the switch from titanium, see our article on whether you can use gold jewelry in a new piercing.
Product Recommendation: Solid 14k Gold Septum Clicker
Product Recommendation: Solid 14k Gold Horseshoe Septum Ring with Gems
Best Septum Jewelry for Specific Situations
Best for a fresh septum piercing
A 16g implant-grade titanium horseshoe barbell in an 8mm diameter is the standard professional recommendation for a fresh septum piercing.
The horseshoe allows the piercer to confirm correct placement before the jewelry is seated. It is easy to flip up to hide during the healing process. It creates no additional rotation or movement within the healing channel, unlike a ring-closure mechanism.
Do not use rings, clickers, or seamless rings on a fresh septum piercing. The handling required to open and close them disrupts healing tissue.
Product Recommendation: 16g Implant-Grade Titanium Horseshoe Barbell 8mm
Best for hiding at work
The horseshoe barbell flipped upward is the most reliable option for concealability. Both ball ends sit inside the nostrils, and the piercing is completely invisible from the front.
A clear or flesh-toned PTFE retainer is an alternative for situations where even the metal bar being inside the nostrils feels too visible. PTFE retainers are flexible, non-metallic, and nearly invisible.
Product Recommendation: Clear PTFE Septum Retainer 16g
Best for sensitive skin or nickel allergy
Implant-grade titanium is the unconditional recommendation. It contains zero nickel, is anodisable for color, and is lighter than steel.
Niobium is the closest alternative if you want something slightly different from titanium. Both are completely nickel-free.
For the full sensitive skin jewelry guide, see our article on what jewelry is safe for sensitive skin and metal allergies.
Best for a dramatic statement look
A wide-diameter gold clicker ring with a decorative design — crescent, floral, geometric, or gem-set — creates the most visual impact of any septum jewelry style.
A 10mm or 12mm diameter in a decorative clicker hangs lower below the nose and is visible from a greater distance. This style reads as a bold fashion statement rather than a subtle piercing.
Product Recommendation: Large Decorative Gold Septum Clicker Ring
Best for everyday wear
A simple 8mm titanium or gold seamless ring is the most comfortable and low-maintenance septum option for everyday wear.
No closure mechanism to fiddle with. Nothing to catch on clothing or pillows. Just a clean, continuous ring that sits in the correct position and stays there.
Septum Jewelry Styles: Quick Comparison
| Style | Concealable | Fresh Piercing | Healed Only | Best For |
| Horseshoe barbell | Yes — flip up | Yes | No | First jewelry, work environments, and everyday versatility. |
| Clicker ring | No | No | Yes | Decorative upgrade, statement looks, easy changes. |
| Seamless ring | No | No | Yes | Minimal aesthetic, everyday wear, clean look. |
| Segment ring | No | No | Yes | Seamless look with easier opening. Great for frequent changes. |
| Circular barbell | Yes — flip up | Yes | No | Tighter look than a horseshoe. Same concealability. |
| PTFE retainer | Yes — nearly invisible | No | Yes | Maximum concealment. Work, medical, sports. |
How to Change Your Septum Jewelry Safely
The first jewelry change from your initial horseshoe to a new style should happen at your piercing studio. Your piercer confirms the healing stage, advises on sizing, and safely inserts the new piece.
For subsequent self-changes on a healed septum, here is the correct process.
Horseshoe barbell removal
Hold the bar steady with one hand. With the other, unscrew one ball end counterclockwise. Remove the ball, slide the bar out of the piercing. Screw the ball back onto the bar before it rolls away.
Clicker ring insertion
Open the clicker by pressing gently at the hinge point. The hinged segment swings open. Guide the open end through the septum channel. Align the segment and press until it clicks shut. Pull gently to confirm the closure is secure.
Seamless ring technique
Hold the ring with both thumbs and forefingers close to the gap. Twist one side forward and the other backward — moving the ends past each other rather than pulling them apart. This opens the gap without distorting the ring shape. Reverse the twist to close.
For the complete guide to jewelry styles, closures, and safe changing techniques, see our article on types of piercing jewelry styles: a complete guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size septum ring do I need?
The most common gauge is 16g (1.2mm), and the most common diameter is 8mm. If you are unsure, your piercer can measure your current jewelry and confirm the correct replacement size.
Do not order a new style until you have confirmed your gauge and diameter. Wearing the wrong size creates tissue pressure or leaves the jewelry sitting incorrectly in the channel.
Can I wear a hoop in my septum?
Yes, once the piercing is fully healed, in three to six months. A seamless ring, segment ring, or clicker ring is essentially a hoop for the septum. Avoid hoop styles during healing because the closure mechanism requires handling that disrupts healing tissue.
How do I know if my septum jewelry is too small or too large?
Too small: the jewelry creates visible pressure on the septum tissue, the skin puckers slightly around the entry points, or the bar feels tight inside the nostrils.
Too large: the ball ends hang noticeably below the nose when the horseshoe is in the down position, or the ring hangs lower than you intended when worn as a ring.
The correct size sits comfortably with the bar or ring resting in the sweet spot without tension or excessive hang.
Is gold or titanium better for a septum piercing?
For a fresh septum piercing: titanium. It is lighter, fully nickel-free, and the professional standard for initial jewelry.
For a healed septum piercing, both are excellent. Gold offers warmth and premium aesthetics. Titanium offers lighter weight and color options through anodizing. The choice is personal preference once the piercing is fully healed.
Can I wear a septum ring if I have a deviated septum?
Yes, in most cases. A deviated septum means the cartilage wall between the nostrils is off-center. A skilled piercer can place the jewelry to sit symmetrically below the nose despite the deviation by working with the anatomy rather than against it.
Discuss your anatomy with your piercer before booking. For the full septum piercing guide, including deviated septum considerations, see our article on how much is a septum piercing.
Where is the best place to buy septum jewelry?
For implant-grade titanium and budget-range options, Amazon carries reputable body jewelry brands, including OUFER, Forbew, and others—search specifically for “implant-grade” or “ASTM F136” in the listing.
For mid-range and premium pieces: dedicated body jewelry retailers and brand websites for Anatometal, Neometal, Junipurr Jewelry, and BVLA offer documented implant-grade jewelry with verified material compositions.
The Right Septum Jewelry for Every Stage
The best septum jewelry is the one that matches your healing stage, fits your anatomy correctly, and is made from a verified body-safe material.
Start with an implant-grade titanium horseshoe barbell at the correct gauge and diameter. Let the piercing heal fully. Then explore the full range — clickers, seamless rings, segment rings, solid gold — with the confidence that the foundation is right.
The septum is one of the most jewelry-versatile piercings on the face. From a barely-there seamless ring to a bold decorative gold clicker, the range of what works is enormous. The only non-negotiables are the right size and the right material.
