316L Surgical Steel Internal Threaded Cartilage Helix Tragus Piercing Stud

• Internal threading construction: The smooth exterior bar passes through the piercing channel without thread edges, reducing friction and irritation during fitting compared to externally threaded designs.
• 316L surgical steel bar: A corrosion-resistant, low-nickel alloy commonly used in body jewellery for its durability and relative skin compatibility across healed piercings.
• Four-prong claw cubic zirconia setting: The CZ stone is held securely at four points, maintaining position during daily wear while preserving full light refraction across the stone's surface.
• Flat disc backing: The low-profile disc back sits flush against the rear of the ear, minimising pressure on the tissue, particularly useful for tragus and helix placements worn during sleep or physical activity.
• Multiple bar length options (6mm–12mm): Four bar lengths allow precise fitting to individual ear anatomy across helix, tragus, and conch placements without requiring adjustment after purchase.
• Two stone size options (2mm and 3mm): The 2mm stone offers a minimal, precise look suited to stacked ear arrangements; the 3mm stone is more visible as a standalone focal point on a single cartilage placement.

1. Wash hands thoroughly before handling any body jewellery, especially for cartilage piercings that are still healing or recently healed.
2. Select the correct bar length for your specific placement. As a general guide: 6mm suits snug, fully healed piercings with minimal tissue depth; 8mm is the most commonly fitted length for helix and tragus placements; 10mm–12mm accommodates deeper anatomy or piercings with residual swelling. If unsure, consult your piercer.
3. Select your stone size based on your preferred aesthetic. The 2mm cubic zirconia is suited to minimal or stacked looks; the 3mm stone is better suited as a single focal-point piece on a tragus or helix.
4. Clean the jewellery before insertion using a saline solution or warm water. Do not use alcohol or harsh cleaners directly on the jewellery before wearing.
5. Insert the bar through the piercing channel from the front or rear depending on your placement and piercing setup. The smooth, externally clean internal threaded bar reduces friction during this step.
6. Screw the decorative end (top) into the threaded interior of the bar by turning clockwise until finger-tight. Do not overtighten; the top should be secure but not forced.
7. Check the flat disc backing sits flush and comfortably against the skin. There should be no pinching or significant gap between the disc and the rear of the piercing.
8. If inserting into a fresh or healing piercing, seek guidance from your professional piercer. Do not attempt to change jewellery in a healing piercing without professional advice.

• Clean regularly with saline solution: For healed piercings, a sterile saline solution applied with a clean cotton pad or spray is sufficient for routine cleaning of both the jewellery and the surrounding tissue.
• Avoid harsh chemicals: Do not expose the stud to chlorine (swimming pools, hot tubs), bleach, alcohol-based solutions, or hydrogen peroxide; these can dull the gold tone finish and degrade the steel surface over time.
• Remove before prolonged water exposure: While 316L surgical steel is corrosion-resistant, extended submersion in salt water, chlorinated pools, or hot tubs is not recommended for preserving the polished finish.
• Store separately: When not worn, store the stud in a clean, dry container away from other jewellery that may scratch the polished surface or dislodge the CZ stone from its claw setting.
• Check the threading regularly: Periodically confirm the decorative top is secure by gently checking it has not loosened during wear. A loose top can be lost re-tighten by turning clockwise until finger-tight.
• Avoid contact with cosmetics: Hairsprays, perfumes, and skincare products should be applied and allowed to dry before the stud comes into contact with them. Chemical residue can affect the finish and the stone's clarity over time.
• Do not use on infected tissue: If the piercing site shows signs of infection unusual redness, swelling, discharge, or heat remove the jewellery and consult a healthcare professional. Do not attempt to treat a piercing infection at home without professional guidance.

Material note: 316L surgical steel is a widely used body jewellery material suited to healed cartilage piercings. It is not classified as implant-grade steel, and individuals with nickel sensitivity should consider ASTM F136 titanium as an alternative. Consult your piercer if you are unsure which material is appropriate for your skin type or piercing stage.

Best Suited Placements

• Helix piercing: The outer cartilage rim of the upper ear. Standard gauge is 16G. A flat-back labret stud in 8mm bar length is among the most commonly worn helix jewellery styles for healed piercings. The 2mm or 3mm CZ stone sits neatly against the curved cartilage without extending outward.
• Tragus piercing: The small cartilage projection over the ear canal. The flat disc backing is particularly well-suited to this placement; it sits against the face without catching on hair or fabric. A bar length of 6mm or 8mm is appropriate for most tragus placements. A dedicated tragus stud with precise sizing is important given the placement's proximity to the ear canal.
• Conch piercing: The inner cartilage bowl of the ear. A deeper placement that typically requires a longer bar, 10mm or 12mm, to accommodate tissue depth. The flat back design suits an inner conch where hardware pressing against the ear bowl would create discomfort.

Wear Scenarios

• Everyday wear: The polished gold tone and low-profile flat disc make this stud suitable for daily use. It does not snag on hair or clothing in the way that some hoop or curved jewellery styles can.
• Stacked ear arrangements: The 2mm cubic zirconia stud is a natural fit within a curated multi-piercing arrangement. Its minimal profile allows other pieces, such as larger hoops, rings, or statement studs, to take visual priority while the CZ stone contributes texture and light.
• Gift purchase: With multiple bar length and stone size options available, this stud is a considered gift for someone with a confirmed helix, tragus, or cartilage piercing. Bar length and stone size should be confirmed before purchasing as a gift where possible.

Not Recommended For

• Fresh or healing piercings: consult your piercer before changing jewellery in any piercing that has not fully healed
• Confirmed nickel allergy: 316L surgical steel contains trace nickel
• Lobe piercings where a standard earring post and butterfly back is the expected fitting

Bar Thickness

Bar Length Selection Guide

Stone Size Guide

Sizing note: Bar length measurements refer to the wearable length of the bar, the section that passes through the piercing and do not include the flat disc backing or the decorative top. If you are unsure which bar length is correct for your anatomy, ask your piercer to measure your current jewellery or the piercing channel before ordering.

• What is the difference between an internally threaded and externally threaded tragus stud?

  On an externally threaded stud, the thread pattern is cut into the outside of the bar itself. During insertion, those thread edges pass through the piercing channel which can cause irritation, especially in cartilage placements like the tragus or helix where tissue is denser. An internally threaded stud keeps the bar exterior completely smooth. The threading is housed inside the post, and the decorative top screws into the bar from the outside. This makes insertion smoother and reduces friction against the piercing channel.

• Is this surgical steel tragus stud safe for sensitive skin?

  316L surgical steel is generally well-tolerated in healed piercings and is widely used in body jewellery. However, it does contain trace amounts of nickel typically 10–14% by composition. If you have a confirmed nickel allergy or significant metal sensitivity, this stud may not be suitable. In that case, ASTM F136 titanium is the recommended alternative, as it is nickel-free and classified as implant-grade. Speak to your piercer if you are unsure which material is appropriate for your skin type.

• How do I know which bar length to choose for my tragus or helix piercing?

  Bar length depends on the depth of your cartilage at the piercing site and whether the piercing is fully healed. For most helix and tragus piercings, 8mm is the standard fitting. A 6mm bar suits thinner cartilage or snug, fully healed placements. Lengths of 10mm or 12mm are used for deeper placements such as the conch, or where tissue is thicker or still carrying some residual swelling. The most reliable way to confirm your correct bar length is to ask your piercer to measure your existing jewellery.

• Can I wear this stud in a fresh cartilage piercing?

  This stud is not recommended for fresh or healing piercings without professional guidance. A newly pierced cartilage placement requires specific jewellery that accommodates swelling and supports the healing environment. Your piercer will select an appropriate initial piece and bar length for you. Once your piercing is fully healed which can take 6–12 months or longer for cartilage placements you can consider changing to a stud like this one. Always consult your piercer before changing jewellery in any healing piercing.

• What is the difference between the 2mm and 3mm stone size?

  Both stones are cubic zirconia set in a four-prong claw. The 2mm option is subtle and minimal it reads as a small point of light, which suits curated ear arrangements where multiple studs share visual space. The 3mm stone is more visible as a standalone piece, particularly on a tragus or helix where a single stud is the focal point. If you are building a stacked ear with other cartilage stud earrings, the 2mm is generally the more versatile choice. If this is your only cartilage piece, the 3mm will be more noticeable.

• Is this the same as a flat back labret stud?

  Yes. A flat back stud also referred to as a flat back labret describes a bar with a flat disc on one end and a decorative top on the other. This stud fits that description: the flat disc backing sits against the rear of the ear, and the cubic zirconia top is the visible, decorative face of the piece. The flat back design is the standard configuration for internally threaded helix, tragus, and cartilage jewellery.

• Is 316L surgical steel the same as implant-grade steel?

  No. These are different standards. Implant-grade steel is defined by ASTM F138 certification a specific standard for metals used in surgical implants, with tightly controlled nickel release and surface quality requirements. 316L surgical steel is a broader grade used widely in body jewellery and medical equipment, but it does not carry ASTM F138 certification unless explicitly tested and certified to that standard. For most fully healed piercings, 316L surgical steel is an appropriate and durable choice. For healing piercings or those with metal sensitivity, implant-grade ASTM F136 titanium is generally recommended by professional piercers.

• Do you offer free delivery in the UK?

  Yes. Monster Piercing offers free UK delivery on orders over £20. For orders below that threshold, standard delivery charges apply. Full delivery information is available at checkout.