By appointment
Belly Button Jewelry
Solid 14K gold and implant grade titanium curved barbells for the navel. The body placement that defined modern fashion piercing.
The belly button piercing sits at the top edge of the navel, where the soft tissue creates a natural curve that holds a curved barbell beautifully. It is one of the most styled body piercings worldwide, and one of the easiest to dress up or dress down depending on context, season, and outfit.
At Piercing Lab Calgary, every navel piercing is performed with a sterile single use needle and fitted with an implant grade titanium curved barbell from the first appointment.
Why fit and styling matter
Belly piercings live in a different reality than ear or facial piercings. They sit against soft tissue that moves with every breath, bend, and movement, which makes both the piercing technique and the jewelry choice more consequential. Four considerations shape every belly fitting:
Anatomy assessment. Not every navel supports a piercing. The piercing requires a defined upper navel ridge with enough tissue to hold the bar safely. We assess your anatomy before booking; if your navel shape does not suit the piercing, we will say so.
Curved barbell, not a captive ring. All initial belly piercings use a curved barbell. Captive rings and seamless hoops put pressure on the piercing channel during the long healing window and significantly increase rejection risk.
Healing patience. Belly piercings take longer to heal than almost any other placement, often 9 to 12 months and sometimes up to two years. Plan for that timeline before booking.
Statement freedom. Once healed, the belly is the placement where jewelry size and drama can go big. Long dangles, gemstone clusters, and statement curved barbells all work because the navel sits against soft skin that handles weight comfortably.
Jewelry material
We exclusively use implant grade titanium and solid gold suitable for long term wear and healing piercings.
Implant grade titanium (ASTM F136). The industry default for fresh piercings. Hypoallergenic and proven biocompatible. All initial belly piercings use implant grade titanium curved barbells.
Solid 14K or 18K gold. Nickel free alloyed gold for fully healed piercings only. Solid gold curved barbells and decorative gem ends become available once the piercing is fully settled.
Fashion jewelry materials are not used for new piercings at our studio.
Placement variations
The belly has two common configurations:
Standard navel. A vertical piercing through the upper navel ridge, the most common belly piercing worldwide.
Lower navel. A second piercing through the bottom edge of the navel, sometimes added once the upper piercing is fully healed for a paired look.
We assess your navel anatomy carefully. Some bodies are not suited to navel piercings and we will recommend alternatives rather than force the placement.
Healing and aftercare
Belly piercings need 9 to 12 months to fully heal, with full settling sometimes taking up to two years. The outside may look settled within months, but the inside continues to remodel.
First 8 weeks. Saline rinse twice daily. Avoid sleeping on your stomach. Avoid waistbands that rub the piercing. Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, and ocean water.
Weeks 4 to 12. Free downsize appointment with any Niori Jewelry purchase. Belly piercings often need a longer initial bar to accommodate swelling and benefit significantly from downsizing once swelling settles.
Months 3 to 12. Continue saline rinses. Avoid abdominal exercises that flex the navel area during the first 6 to 8 weeks. Avoid stiff waistbands directly on the piercing for the full healing window.
Full instructions on our aftercare page.
Recommended styles
- Implant grade titanium curved barbells with cabochon ends (initial wear, 14ga standard)
- Solid gold curved barbells with faceted gemstone ends (healed wear)
- Statement dangle barbells for healed long term wear
- Anodised titanium colour finishes for creative styling
- Side gem fixed end barbells for added detail
Book your navel piercing at Piercing Lab Calgary
Every appointment includes anatomy assessment, sterile single use needle, implant grade titanium curved barbell from your first wear, and a one on one walkthrough of healing and aftercare. Belly anatomy varies significantly, so we recommend a brief consultation before booking to confirm your navel shape supports the piercing safely.
Frequently asked
How long does a belly piercing take to heal?
Most belly piercings need 9 to 12 months to fully heal. Some take up to two years to fully settle, especially if your lifestyle includes activities that flex the abdomen frequently.
Can I get a belly piercing if my anatomy is not ideal?
We do not pierce navels that do not have the anatomy to hold the jewelry safely. A piercing forced through inadequate tissue migrates, rejects, or scars. We will assess in person and tell you honestly.
What activities should I avoid during healing?
Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, and ocean water for the first 8 weeks. Avoid waistbands that rub the piercing (high-waisted jeans, leggings, tight skirts). Avoid abdominal exercises that flex the navel area for the first 6 to 8 weeks.
Can I wear high-waisted clothing during healing?
Avoid it during the first 8 weeks. After that, soft fabrics are fine. Stiff waistbands or anything that rubs directly on the piercing should stay off for the full healing window.
When can I switch to dangle jewelry?
Once fully healed, usually around the 12 month mark. Wearing dangle jewelry too early adds downward weight that can stretch the still-healing channel and increase rejection risk.
Can I get pregnant with a belly piercing?
Yes, but plan to remove or downsize the jewelry as your abdomen expands. Around the second trimester, most clients switch to a flexible PTFE retainer or remove the jewelry entirely. The piercing usually re-opens after pregnancy.
Does it hurt to get a navel piercing?
The piercing itself is brief and most clients describe it as a sharp pinch followed by mild discomfort. The deeper challenge is the 9 to 12 month healing commitment.
Can I bring my own jewelry for a new belly piercing?
For healed belly piercings we install outside jewelry that meets our material standards. For new piercings we use only studio supplied implant grade titanium.