A Complete Guide to Jewellery Fastenings & Backs

When choosing body jewellery, it’s not just the style that matters, the way it fastens is just as important. This is often called the closure (sometimes referred to as the fastening or back), and it’s what keeps your jewellery secure and comfortable in your piercing.

From everyday studs to professional piercing jewellery, different closures affect how easy your jewellery is to change, how it feels against your skin, and how safe it is for healing.

Here’s your complete guide to the most popular types of jewellery closures (and which one might be right for you):

Internally Threaded Jewellery

How it works:

The post is hollow, and the decorative top screws into it. The threading is hidden inside the post, so no rough edges pass through your piercing.

Why it’s great:

Gentle on your skin, ideal for healing.
Extremely secure fastening.
The professional standard for body jewellery.

Best for: New piercings and long-term wear.

Guided Internally Threaded Jewellery

How it works:

Similar to internally threaded but has a longer pin with threading that makes screwing the top into place easier.

Why it’s great:

All the safety of internally threaded jewellery.
Easier to align, with less fiddling.

Best for: New piercings and long-term wear.

Threadless Jewellery

How it works:

The decorative top has a small pin that presses into a hollow post. The pin bends slightly to create tension, holding it firmly in place; no twisting required.

Why it’s great:

Quick and easy to change.
Smooth and comfortable design.
Secure enough for daily wear.

Best for: People who love switching up their jewellery without hassle.

Hinged Segment Rings

How it works:

A small hinge allows the ring to click open and closed, with the segment snapping seamlessly back into place.

Why it’s great:

Smooth, continuous look.
Very easy to open and close.
Durable and reliable.

Best for: Cartilage, septum, and daith piercings; or anyone who wants sleek,
low-maintenance style.

Bendable Rings (Seamless Rings)

How it works:

A single piece of metal that you gently twist open sideways, insert into your piercing, then twist back to close.

Why it’s great:

Minimalist, seamless design.
Lightweight and comfortable.
Budget-friendly.

Things to consider:

They can lose shape if over-bent and are trickier to change than hinged rings, so they’re best for healed piercings.

Best for: Nostril, lobe, or helix piercings where a clean, subtle look is key.

Stud Closures: Butterfly Backs vs Flatbacks

Butterfly Backs

How it works:

The classic earring closure, a metal clutch slides onto the straight post to secure the stud.

Pros:

Simple and familiar.
Quick to put on and remove.
Ideal for lightweight, fashion earrings.

Things to consider:

They can loosen over time and aren’t as comfortable for sleeping or constant wear.

Flatbacks

How it works:

The post ends in a flat disc that sits comfortably against the skin. The top is secured by an internally threaded or threadless mechanism.

Pros:

Ultra comfortable, nothing sharp digging into your skin.
Safer and more hygienic, especially for new piercings.
Designed for long-term daily wear.

Things to consider:

They can take a little practice to change but are the gold standard for piercings.

Which Closure Should You Choose?

For new piercings: Internally threaded or flatbacks are the safest and most comfortable.
For easy changes: Threadless jewellery keeps things simple.
For sleek rings: Hinged segment rings are durable, while bendable rings offer a
budget-friendly minimalist look.
For casual fashion earrings: Butterfly backs are fine, but flatbacks are
far superior for long-term wear.

The closure you choose has a big impact on how your jewellery feels and functions. At SkinKandy, we only stock high-quality, implant-grade materials to keep your piercings safe and stylish, no matter which closure you prefer.