The Nose Stud

The nose stud can be a striking addition to your face that provides allure, appeal, sensuality, and beauty. Not only are nose studs a recent trend that continues to grow in popularity, but they have a rich history and story that enhances the experience and heightens the body.

History Of The Nose Stud

The nose stud has actually been a part of history for thousands of years. The earliest known mention of some form of nasal piercing occurs in the Middle East in the Old Testament. Most people associate the origins of the nose stud to India and the Hindu culture. It is believed that sometime in the 16th century, the Moghuls brought nose studs to India, at which point it was integrated into the culture.

Although nose ring studs are most often associated with Hindu culture, it is certainly not exclusive to Hindu women. Muslims in India are almost as likely to have a nose piercing as their Hindu counterparts. In the past, nose stud piercings were also associated with the marriage ritual, although this tradition is fading into the past. Young girls are just as likely to be seen wearing a nose stud as are the married women in the city.

Many people still consider this type of piercing to be associated with the coming of age of a young woman. Not only are their cultural ties to this sort of piercing, but the nose is often associated with the more sensual parts of the body. In Indian medicine, piercing the left nostril is believed to ease the birthing process, and lessen the discomfort of menstrual cycles. Whether you believe this or not does refute the fact that a stud nose ring can be a very sensual piece of jewelry.

Varieties Of Nose Rings Studs – Unique nose rings

Since we have already discussed the ties to Indian culture, we might as well continue that thread for a minute in discussing the different types of nose stud jewelry. The two main types of Indian nose jewelry are referred to as the Nath and the Phul. The Nath is simply the name for the nose ring, and the Phul is the name for the nose stud.

For most of you, the difference between these two pieces of jewelry should be quite obvious. If we are to break down the nose stud, even more, you are left with a number of further variations. The two most common types of nose ring studs are the corkscrew (nose screw) and nose bone (straight stud). There is really no possible way to determine which of these styles is the best, as each has their distinct advantages. It really comes down to the personal preference of the individuals wearing the nose stud to determine which of these styles you prefer. From a strictly functional perspective, most find that a nose screw stays in the nose better than a nose bone, although this too may be biased.

As for the actual style of the individual nose studs, you can find an almost infinite number of designs, styles, and variations. It really becomes a matter of finding the right style for your particular tastes. If you prefer to stay on the higher end of the jewelry scale, you can easily find diamond nose studs mounted in gold, white gold, or platinum.

The end of the jewelry is obviously the focal point of the stud and should have a design that meets your expectations. Aside from diamonds, you can find many other types of precious stones, gems, or other metals to accentuate the piece. Simple ball ends are also a common and attractive alternative to a stone.

How Much Is It Going To Cost Me?

The cost of the nose stud can vary widely depending on the quality, style, and design. Obviously, large diamonds and other expensive jewelry will be more expensive than simple metals or plastics. Most nose studs online can be found for under $100, with an even greater number under $50. This needn’t scare you away from purchasing, as there just as many in the $10 range as there are expensive varieties. If you do want an expensive diamond nose stud, you can easily pay upwards of a several hundred to several thousand dollars for a single stud. Again, the quality of the nose stud will greatly influence how much you will have to pay.

Does It Hurt?

The side of your nose is referred to Ala, and yes it will hurt to get it pierced. Whether this is good news or not, the piercing is no worse than many other types. You can expect the nose piercing to take anywhere from 3 months to 1 year to heal fully. Before you attempt to change your piercing, make sure the new hole is ready for the change. You don’t want to change your jewelry if your nose is infected or raw.

For more information on piercing your nose and putting in your nose stud or corkscrew, see our article on How To Put In Your Nose Studs.

How Can You Hide Your Nose Stud?

Regrettably, there are times in which your nose stud is not culturally appropriate or acceptable. Often work, school, family, or other situations will restrict the types of jewelry you can wear. The best way to circumvent this problem is to use a nose stud retainer to discreetly hide the nose piercing. When properly used, the retainer is able to virtually hide the nose stud hole and allows you to keep your hole from closing while you cannot wear your stud.

The nose stud can be a striking way to accent your face and provide you with the allure you are looking for from your jewelry. Finding the right nose stud jewelry shouldn’t be too difficult, and as long as you follow our tips, suggestions, and helps, you should have a successful piercing and amazing experience.

Hide Your Stud With A Nose Stud Retainer

A common problem that many people face with their piercings is that they are not always socially acceptable to wear. And while this may not be justified, particularly in culturally sensitive situations, the fact remains that certain piercings are going to cause you problems. Healthy debate will continue on the issue, but for the near future, little will change. Rather than be forced to remove your nose stud completely, you can simply hide it in plain sight. The best way to hide your nose piercing is with a nose stud retainer.

Nose stud retainers are the best way to disguise your nose stud in situations that warrant a degree of discretion. Whether it is school, church, work, a family function, or any other scenario in which a nose ring is against policy or prudence, the retainer allows you to cover your piercing without raising suspicions.

Although there are many different kinds of nose retainer, the most common type is the clear nose stud retainer. This clear jewelry allows you to maintain your piercing and keeps your hole from closing while you are unable to wear your stud. Other types of retainer include variations that are designed to match your face. These can be tonal to blend in with your makeup, or they can be designed to function like a freckle or other skin blemish.

Typical ends on a retainer nose studs include both a ball and a flat design. Some prefer the flat end to smooth over the pierced hole, although it really comes down to your individual needs and what works best for your face.

Retainers are made of a number of different materials and should be purchased dependent upon your level of healing. If your nose is completely healed, acrylic nose stud retainers are excellent. If your nose is still healing, however, a form of bioplast or bioform is generally recommended. Studs can also be found using monofilament polyamide or quartz as well. Regardless of the type, the retainer should be non-allergenic and safe for your pierced nose.

A nose stud retainer is an excellent way to maintain your piercing during sensitive situations where a piercing may not be appropriate. They are small, discrete, near invisible, and the perfect way to keep others from finding out about your secret.

Varieties: Diamond Nose Studs, Gold Nose Studs, White Gold Nose Studs

There are a vast number of different styles of nose piercings available to choose from. The most basic distinction is between nose ring jewelry and nose stud jewelry. The differences should be quite obvious for most. At the risk of repeating a much overused online description of the two, the nose ring in India is referred to as the Nath and the nose stud is called a Phul. How that is relevant is yet to be determined, but there it is nonetheless.

As this website is called The Nose Stud, we are going to focus on the variations of the stud and not the ring. A ring can be quite appealing, and certainly has its beauty, but the stud offers an allure that the ring often lacks.

The two most common types of nose stud are the nose bone and the nose screw. These varieties differ in their shape and can feel quite different in the nose. Most people find that they are more comfortable with one type of the other, and tend to stick to one style of the stud. The corkscrew style tends to stay in the nose better and is, therefore, more popular with girls that have a hard time keeping the nose bone in their nostril.

Between this two style of nose stud, you can find almost infinite combinations of metals, stones, designs, and colors. This allows you to really find the nose stud jewelry that really matches your unique style and fits you as an individual.

Diamond Nose Studs

There are few more beautiful styles of nose stud than a stud or screw with a diamond on the end. Different size, clarity, and cut of a diamond can make for an amazing piece. Captured in the right light, a diamond nose stud is a stunning feature that can really accentuate your face and draw attention to your beauty. Most diamond studs are set with either white or yellow gold and are made with quality materials to fit the expensive diamond. Expect to pay somewhat more for you diamond setting, although the pricing can still be reasonable.

Gold Nose Stud

Gold plated or solid gold nose studs are another popular styles of jewelry. As mentioned above, this variety of gold nose studs can be used to house a diamond, gem, or other precious stone. If you prefer a style that doesn’t include the stone, you can simply purchase the stud with a small ball, design, or other variation on the end. Look for differing qualities of gold with these studs, and find the density and price that you are looking for.

White Gold Nose Stud

White gold nose studs are another popular style of nose stud and feature all of the same characteristics of yellow gold nose studs. This variety has become a quite popular color for gold jewelry and is similar in look to platinum or silver. As you can customize a gold stud, white gold will also allow you to mount precious stones, diamonds, and other gems into the jewelry.

Nose Stud – History and Cultural Significance

Nose piercing studs can be traced quite far back into history. The earliest record of a nasal piercing is believed to occur in the Middle East several thousand years ago. Based off of a translation of a bible account, a nose ring was presented as a gift. There is also evidence suggesting that the nose ring has been a prevalent feature of a number of nomadic African tribes.

The more common association is generally with the people of India or Hindus, although nose rings are also found inside of the Muslim communities. It is believed that the Moghuls brought the nose stud to India sometime in the 16th century, and has been an institution ever since. In the past nose, stud jewelry was associated with marriage, but this has been fading away as time progresses. More and more young girls are piercing their noses, removing the association with marriage as they do so.

The left nostril is the more common nostril to find a nose piercing stud, although both sides are commonly found today. The left side is prominent because of the belief in the left nostril being associated with the female reproductive organ. It is suggested that having a piercing in the left nostril can allow for easier birthing and lesser menstrual discomfort. This can draw parallels with acupuncture in the Far East Asian countries.

In India, two different types of nose piercings are common, nose rings studs (also known as Phul) and nose rings (or Nath). As opposed to the stud, the Nath can be quite large, often even covering a portion of the mouth or being tied by a chain to the earlobe.

One of the few remaining traditions with the nose stud in Indian culture is the integration of a special Nath to be worn by the bride as part of the bridal jewelry. Even today, the nose ring has a difficult time avoiding its more amorous intonations, and quite naturally exudes a quite suggestive and sensual impression.

How To Put In Your Nose Studs

Putting in your new nose studs can be one of the most frustrating aspects of your new jewelry, particularly if you try and change the jewelry too soon after piercing. It is recommended that you wait at least 3 months before you change your nose stud jewelry. You need to give the piercing time to sufficiently heal before you attempt to change anything.

Most of you are probably smart enough to realize this already, but never try to pierce your nose yourself; you should always go to a professional for this type of piercing. It is far too easy to damage your nose or infect then new piercing without the proper training and equipment. Save yourself the pain and grief and get it done properly.

Although this sometimes falls under the old wives tale category, it is generally recommended that you don’t take your piercing out for more than 10 minutes at a time during the first year. The hole closes notoriously fast and can make reinsertion quite difficult. If you go too long without a nose stud in the hole, you will find that the flesh can heal rather quickly.

The first thing that you will want to do, regardless of how long you have had the piercing, is to make certain that you have clean hands before you begin to change the stud. You should also make sure to sanitize the stud before inserting it into your nose. Depending on the style of the stud will determine how to wash it (rubbing alcohol, soapy water, etc…).

You should also check your piercing for signs of irritation or infection before you try and change it. If you have a difficult time moving it around, you should hold off on the change until it heals. If you have good movement with the current stud, you are probably safe to proceed.

The type of nose piercing studs that you are inserting will greatly affect how it is placed in your nose. The type that most people struggle the most with are corkscrews or hook studs.

How To Put In Your Bone Stud

Before you attempt to pull out your current nose studs, check the gauge of the new corkscrew stud to see if it will even fit in your hole. There are different sizes of hooks, so make sure you find one that will fit your piercing.

You may want to find some help to remove your first stud, as it can be difficult to remove. Find a friend to help or have someone you trust help you take the piercing out. Obviously, someone with some experience is going to be more helpful.

How To Put In Your Bone Stud

Hold the decorative portion of the hook stud and line up the tip with your hole. The tip should be facing in, at an angle consistent with your piercing’s angle. Insert the hook and twist it until you only have the straight portion of the stud outside. You can then push the stud straight through the rest of the way.

Once it is in, you can twist, turn, and adjust the stud until it is comfortable in your nose. If you have never worn a corkscrew, you may find it to be uncomfortable compared to your initial jewelry. Some love it, others don’t. You’ll have to figure it out for yourself.

If you feel like this is just too much to handle, you can simply return to the piercer that did the initial stud and have them change it for you. Changing your stud the first time can be quite difficult, and there is no shame in having a professional change it for you.