Can You Bring Your Own Jewellery for a Piercing

Introduction: A Common Client Request

Many people like the idea of choosing their own jewellery before a piercing. Whether it is a special piece you already own or something you have bought in advance, bringing your own jewellery might feel like a way to make the piercing more personal. But in professional studios across the UK, the rules around this are stricter than most first-time clients realise.

Why Most Studios Do Not Allow It

The main reason piercing studios do not usually accept outside jewellery is safety. Jewellery for fresh piercings must meet medical standards, meaning it should be made from implant-grade materials such as titanium, niobium, surgical steel or solid gold. It also needs to be the right size, shape and gauge to fit the piercing properly. If jewellery is not up to these standards, the risk of infection, rejection or allergic reaction is much higher.

Sterility Requirements

Another important factor is sterilisation. Professional studios sterilise all jewellery before use in an autoclave, a medical-grade machine that kills bacteria and viruses. If you bring in jewellery from outside, the studio cannot guarantee that it is safe, even if it looks new or comes in sealed packaging. Without proof that the jewellery is implant-grade and sterilised, a responsible piercer will not risk using it.

Exceptions Some Studios May Allow

There are rare cases where a studio may allow you to use your own jewellery, but only if it meets strict standards. For example, if you bring implant-grade titanium jewellery from a reputable body jewellery supplier, and the piercer can sterilise it in-house before use, they may agree. Even then, the final decision rests with the piercer, and many still prefer to use jewellery supplied directly by their studio.

Jewellery for Healed Piercings

The rules are different once a piercing has fully healed. At this point, you are generally free to change your jewellery as you like, provided you use safe materials and avoid pieces that could cause irritation. Some people prefer to go back to their piercer for help changing jewellery safely, especially for piercings in tricky placements.

Professional Responsibility

Reputable piercers take responsibility for the outcome of your piercing. Using jewellery they have not supplied makes it harder for them to guarantee safety and quality. This is why most professionals insist on using their own stock for initial piercings. It ensures they can stand by their work, protect your health and reduce the chance of complications.

Final Thought

While it may feel disappointing, most studios in the UK will not allow you to bring your own jewellery for a new piercing. This is not about upselling but about safety, sterility and proper healing. The best approach is to trust your piercer’s professional judgement, then switch to your own jewellery once the piercing is fully healed and safe to change.