Cartilage Jewellery at SkinKandy
SkinKandy's Cartilage Jewellery collection covers helix, tragus, conch, flat, rook, daith, anti-tragus and snug piercings, fitted with flatbacks, segment rings and curved barbells across Surgical Steel, Titanium and 14K Gold. Flatbacks are the go-to recommendation across all cartilage placements, chosen over butterfly-back closures for comfort and security. Most healed cartilage piercings settle at 16G with a 6mm flatback post, though exact sizing varies by placement. Whether you're freshly pierced or upgrading a healed piece, this collection covers cartilage jewellery from fresh through to healed.
What jewellery styles are used for cartilage piercings?
Flatbacks are the primary recommendation across cartilage placements, including tragus, helix, conch and flat, chosen over butterfly-back closures for a more secure, comfortable fit. Segment rings are a popular option once your piercing has healed, typically around 6mm diameter for tragus and anti-tragus. Rook and snug piercings can also be worn with a curved barbell or horseshoe. Ballback styles suit most cartilage placements, though they aren't recommended for tragus due to the risk of the ball falling into the ear.
What gauge and size do I need for cartilage jewellery?
Tragus and anti-tragus piercings are fitted at 16G only, and this never changes to 14G regardless of how healed the piercing is. Helix, conch, flat and rook piercings are also 16G, typically sized at 6mm or 8mm once healed, which is the most common combination across healed cartilage placements. Daith jewellery is 16G with a ring diameter of 8mm to 10mm. Your piercing specialist will confirm the exact length for your anatomy before fitting any new cartilage jewellery.
How long does cartilage take to heal?
Most cartilage placements, including tragus, conch, flat and rook, take 6-12 months to fully heal. Helix piercings are downsized at around 6-8 weeks but aren't fully healed until 6-9 months. Anti-tragus follows the same 6-12 month timeline as other cartilage placements, while daith typically heals faster, at 3-9 months. Do not remove your jewellery during the healing phase, as this can cause the piercing to close and make reinsertion difficult.
What material should I choose for a cartilage piercing?
Surgical Steel is what our piercing specialists use for fresh cartilage piercings in studio, and it's a safe, valid option while you heal. Surgical Steel contains trace nickel, so it isn't hypoallergenic, and Titanium or 14K Gold are better suited if you have sensitive skin. All three materials are available across the cartilage placements in this collection. Your piercing specialist can help you choose based on comfort and any known sensitivities.
How does a tragus piercing compare to an anti-tragus piercing?
Tragus and anti-tragus piercings sit on opposite sides of the ear canal and are both fitted at 16G only, never 14G. Tragus piercings are recommended in flatbacks, with segment rings a popular option once healed, while anti-tragus piercings are fitted with curved barbells fresh, moving to curved barbells or segment rings once healed. Flatbacks aren't the primary recommendation for anti-tragus the way they are for tragus, since the placement and angle differ. Both take around 6-12 months to fully heal, so your piercing specialist can help you decide which suits your anatomy.
Book a piercing at SkinKandy
Ready for a cartilage piercing, or an upgrade to a healed one? Our piercing specialists can guide you on style and size. View our piercing menu to book.
