There are many different, attractive body jewelry ends that can be paired with a variety of shafts, dermal anchors, surface barbells, and other body jewelry core components. You just have to pick ends and shafts or anchors with matching threading types and sizes to ensure that all the component parts will be compatible with each other. In this guide, we walk you through how to pick compatible jewelry ends for your body jewelry shafts and anchors.
Jewelry Threading
Threaded jewelry consists of two to three pieces–a shaft or anchor and one or two decorative ends. For instance, a labret stud consists of a shaft with a fixed back and a removable end, whereas a bent barbell has two removable ends. All threaded jewelry has one of two types of threading used to connect the component parts: external threading or internal threading. Internal threading means that the barbell shaft or anchor has recessed threads drilled into it; the matching internally-threaded ends have compatible posts sticking out of them that screw into the barbell shaft or anchor’s internal threads. External threading means that the jewelry shaft or anchor has threaded ends sticking out of it; the matching externally-threaded ends have recessed threads drilled into them so they can be screwed onto the coordinating barbell shaft or anchor’s external threads.
Sometimes shafts and anchors of varying gauges will all share the same size threading so that a standard size end, like a 14g dermal top, can be used with shafts and anchors in a few different gauges. When you’re puchasing body jewelry parts that you want to pair together or replacement ends for a piece of jewelry you bought previously, it’s important to pay close attention to the thread sizes of the pieces you’re buying. If all the parts have the same size and type of threading, you’ll be able to pair them together.
You can learn more about jewelry threading by reading our Threading article.
Which Ends Are Compatible With Which Shafts & Anchors?
To find out if ends you’re considering buying are compatible with a jewelry shaft or anchor you already have or intend to purchase and modify, look at the blue “Details” box on the left side of the product detail page for the ends you’re evaluating. The screenshot below provides an example of where you’ll find threading information on every product detail page on our site:
In the sections below, we’ve provided some examples of the types and gauges of internally-threaded jewelry shafts and anchors that are compatible with ends that have 1.2mm, 0.9mm and 0.8mm internal threading, respectively. These examples should help guide you on selecting compatible ends for your body jewelry shafts and anchors.
Pair these 14g-12g Internally-Threaded 8mm Opal Replacement Balls with any of the 14g-8g body jewelry shafts and anchors shown below. You can also use this end and others like it with any 14g, 12g, 10g, or 8g shaft or anchor that has a matching 1.2mm internal thread pattern. |
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 14g Stainless Steel Flat Back Labret Post |
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Pair this 18g-16g Internally-Threaded 14kt White Gold Bumble Bee Top with any of the 18g-16g body jewelry shafts and anchors shown below. You can also use this end and others like it with any 18g or 16g shaft or anchor with a matching 0.9mm internal thread pattern. |
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Pair this 16g Steel Ball with 0.8mm internal threading with any of the 18g-16g body jewelry shafts and anchors shown below. You can also use this end and others like it with any 18g or 16g shaft or anchor with a matching 0.8mm internal thread pattern. |
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