How To Tell What Gauge Your Earring Is. The key thing to remember is that a smaller gauge number relates to a thicker earring. Starting at any larger than this size puts your ear at-risk of tearing.
Get a gauge wheel to easily measure the gauge of your jewelry. Jewelry gets thicker the smaller the number gets. Line up the edge of paper with the outside of your ear.
As earrings and other body jewelry became popular many jewelers adapted to the American Wire Gauge as their sizing system.
Earring Size Diameter An earring can be measured by 2 diameters. A gauge wheel is a circular disc with holes cut out of the exterior edge. Most starter piercings are usually either 14 or 16 gauge although some may go as large as 12 or as small as 18. If you need to know what gauge your own piercing jewelry is the best thing to do is go back and ask your piercer.
