Threadless or press-fit jewelry is a popular alternative to threaded jewelry. A complete piece of press-fit jewelry is made up of two individual pieces that fit together: a post and a removable end. Each threadless post sold by us at M Body Jewelry, whether curved or straight, is precision machined in the USA from solid implant-grade titanium bars (ASTM F136 6Al-4V ELI), and features an attached ball or disk on one end. The removable decorative ends are also available in titanium as well as solid 14k and 18k gold, both excellent options for those sensitive to other materials. Originally patented by NeoMetal, press-fit posts and ends are now also manufactured by a wide variety of companies including Industrial Strength, Anatometal, BVLA, LeRoi, and more.

When buying threadless jewelry from mbodyjewelry.com, each part is sold individually. If you need a complete piece of jewelry, you will need to purchase both a post and an end. This also means that you can purchase additional ends without being forced to purchase additional posts every time.

How Press-fit Jewelry Works

Threadless ends have a small “pin” that sticks out of the decorative end and fits inside the shaft of the hollow titanium press-fit posts. The two pieces stays together with tension; a slight bend is made to the pin which allows it to stay securely in place inside the hollow post.

We ship all threadless, press-fit ends pre-bent so that they are ready to wear and will fit securely into your post when they arrive to you. The tightness is adjustable by how much of a bend is made to the pin, so if you feel like your end needs a little tweaking, follow the steps on the illustration above to adjust it.

Getting the Right Fit

All threadless posts and ends in our store fit interchangeably in any universal press-fit post, regardless of the gauge. That said, there are some styles and sizes that tend to work better in some piercings than others, and it’s important to get the correct size for your piercing.

Below are the approximate sizes we use when we perform various piercings.

Earlobes are typically pierced with 18 gauge straight threadless posts, approximately the same thickness as a traditional earring post. Common lengths are 5/16” to 7/16” for healing piercings, and 1/4” to 5/16” for healed piercings. Posts are available with either an attached ball or disk, depending on your preference.

The second, removable end can vary in design from plain balls or disks to prong-set or bezel-set gemstones, or even a wide variety of gold options. If your piercing is still healing, choose ends with a design that is at least 2mm or larger; if your piercing is healed, choose an end that is at least 1.5mm or larger.

Ear Cartilage

Ear cartilage piercings require thicker jewelry for comfort and ease in healing. Most commonly, 16-gauge posts, often 1/4” to 3/8” for healing piercings and 3/16” to 1/4” for healed piercings.

Straight threadless posts usually work best in outer helix, forward helix, conch, and tragus piercings. If your piercing is still healing, choose ends with a design that is at least 2.5mm or larger; if your piercing is healed, choose an end that is at least 2mm or larger.

Rook piercings are usually done with a curved post, with 16g 5/16” being the preferred size for a healing piercing and 16g ¼” if your piercing is already healed. Like with all cartilage piercings, if your piercing is still healing, choose threadless ends with a design that is at least 2.5mm or larger; if healed, choose an end that is at least 2mm or larger.

Nostrils

We perform nostril piercings almost exclusively with straight 18g posts, 5/16” to 3/8” for initial piercings and 3/16” to 5/16” for healed piercings. There is no one-size-fits-all for nostril piercings, but if you’re unsure of what size you need, a 1/4” post is most often a good fit for a healed piercing. For both healing and healed piercings, the design on the press-fit end should be at least 1.5mm or larger.

It can be tricky to change threadless jewelry in a nostril piercing without help from a piercer. The post should be inserted first from the inside of your nose. With the post in your piercing and while holding it in place on the inside of your nose, line the decorative end up so it slides into the hollow post, and then push the two pieces together until secured. If you have a piercer in your area who is familiar with threadless jewelry, it’s a good idea to have him or her help. If you are installing jewelry yourself, purchasing an 18g pin taper can help make the process a little easier.

Eyebrows

We typically pierce eyebrows with 16g curved posts in either 3/8” or 7/16” lengths, with healed piercings typically needing 5/16” to 3/8” posts.