By appointment
Septum Jewelry
Solid 14K and 18K gold clickers and seam rings for the septum. The placement where symmetry matters most.
The septum is the soft cartilage notch between the nostrils, pierced through what piercers call the columella. It is one of the most visible piercings on the face because it sits centrally and is read instantly from any angle. Septum jewelry is unique in the piercing world because most pieces are rings, hinged clickers, or seam rings rather than studs.
At Piercing Lab Calgary, every septum piercing is performed with a sterile single use needle and fitted with implant grade titanium or solid gold from the first appointment.
Why fit and styling matter
The septum is the placement where symmetry matters most. Because the piercing sits at the centre of the face, any asymmetry in the jewelry reads immediately. Four considerations shape every septum fitting:
Inner diameter. Septum jewelry is sized by inner diameter (ID), not bar length. Most adult septum piercings sit comfortably between 8mm and 10mm ID. Too small pinches the columella; too large hangs awkwardly and risks snagging.
Gauge. Standard septum gauge is 16ga (1.2mm). Some clients prefer 14ga for a thicker look, but always size up gradually with a professional rather than forcing a thicker bar through an existing piercing.
Clicker or seam ring. A clicker is a hinged segment ring that opens and closes with a click mechanism. A seam ring is a continuous gold ring with a single closure seam. Clickers are easier to put in and remove on your own; seam rings sit more flush and read as more minimal.
Balance, not perfection. The septum naturally has a slight asymmetry in most people. Choose a clicker or ring designed with visual weight that complements your face, not one that fights for perfect geometric symmetry.
Jewelry material
We exclusively use implant grade titanium and solid gold suitable for long term wear and healing septum piercings.
Implant grade titanium (ASTM F136). The industry default for fresh piercings. Hypoallergenic and proven biocompatible. We use implant grade titanium for the initial piercing procedure.
Solid 14K or 18K gold. Nickel free alloyed gold for both fresh and healed piercings. Most decorative septum clickers and seam rings in our catalogue are solid 14K gold from Niori and Buddha Jewelry, or solid 18K gold from NeoMetal.
Fashion jewelry materials are not used for new piercings at our studio.
Placement variations
The septum has one main piercing placement, but two style choices define how it reads:
Visible septum. A clicker, seam ring, or decorative ring sits below the nose and is intentionally visible. This is the most common septum styling.
Retainer septum. A simple U-shaped retainer can be flipped up inside the nostrils when the piercing needs to be hidden, then flipped back down for wear. Some clients alternate between decorative jewelry and a retainer depending on context.
We assess your septum anatomy before any piercing decision. Not every septum has a clear columella notch, in which case we will say so and discuss alternatives.
Healing and aftercare
Septum piercings need 3 to 6 months to fully heal. This is shorter than cartilage piercings because the columella is soft tissue rather than cartilage.
First 4 weeks. Saline rinse twice daily. Avoid flipping the jewelry up and down repeatedly during early healing, even if you want to hide it. Each flip irritates the channel.
Weeks 4 to 8. The piercing usually feels settled enough to switch to a decorative clicker or seam ring if you started with a captive ring. Bring the new jewelry to a fitting appointment rather than swapping it yourself.
Months 2 to 6. Continue saline rinses as the inside continues to remodel. The septum tends to develop a small odor during healing, which is normal and clears once fully healed.
Full instructions on our aftercare page.
Recommended styles
- Solid gold clickers with pearl, gemstone, or CZ detailing
- Solid 14K and 18K gold seam rings for minimal styling
- Hand finished designs over mass produced styles
- 16 gauge for most adult septum piercings
- 8mm to 10mm inner diameter for comfortable fit
Book your septum jewelry Swiching at Piercing Lab Calgary
Every appointment includes anatomy assessment, sterile single use needle, implant grade titanium or solid gold jewelry from your first wear, and a one on one walkthrough of healing and aftercare. We recommend a brief consultation if you are unsure whether your septum anatomy is suited to the piercing.
Frequently asked
How long does a septum piercing take to heal?
Most septum piercings need 3 to 6 months. This is shorter than cartilage piercings because the columella is soft tissue.
Does a septum piercing hurt?
The piercing itself is brief but sharp because of the rich nerve supply in the area. Most clients describe involuntary watering eyes during and immediately after, which is a reflex rather than emotional crying. The healing is typically less painful than cartilage piercings.
What is the difference between a clicker and a seam ring?
A clicker is a hinged segment ring that opens and closes with a click mechanism. A seam ring is a continuous gold ring with a single closure seam that twists open. Clickers are easier to put in and remove yourself; seam rings sit more flush against the skin.
Can I hide my septum piercing?
Yes, with a U-shaped retainer that flips up inside the nostrils. The retainer is invisible from the front and stays in place comfortably. Many clients alternate between decorative jewelry and a retainer depending on context.
What size jewelry suits a septum piercing?
Most adult septum piercings sit comfortably at 8mm to 10mm inner diameter, in 16 gauge. The right size depends on your specific anatomy. We size you during your appointment rather than asking you to guess in advance.
Can I get my septum piercing crooked?
The piercing itself is straight, but septum anatomy is not always perfectly symmetrical. We assess your columella alignment before piercing and aim for the centre of the soft tissue notch, which gives the most balanced final placement. Some people have natural deviation that the piercing reveals once jewelry is in.
Do you offer consultation before a septum piercing?
Yes. Not every septum has a clear columella notch, and forcing a piercing through cartilage rather than soft tissue significantly increases pain and healing time. A brief consultation lets us check your anatomy before booking.
Can I bring my own jewelry for a new septum piercing?
For healed septum piercings we install outside jewelry that meets our material standards. For new piercings we use only studio supplied implant grade titanium or solid gold.