Helix Jewellery Guide: How to Choose the Right Style
Choosing the right helix jewellery can completely change the look of this versatile upper-ear piercing. From delicate flatback labrets to hoops and decorative clickers, your jewellery can keep your helix subtle or turn it into a standout part of your ear stack.
The right piece should also suit your anatomy and piercing placement. In this guide, we'll explore the most popular helix piercing jewellery styles, materials and styling ideas to help you choose the right piece.
Quick Answer: Flatback labrets are a classic choice for helix piercings, offering a neat fit with plenty of decorative options. Once your piercing is fully healed, suitable hoops and clickers can offer an alternative look depending on your anatomy, piercing placement and personal style.
Jump to a section
- What Is Helix Jewellery?
- Flatback Labrets: The Classic Choice
- Helix Clickers: A Decorative Alternative
- Helix Hoop or Flatback: Which Should You Choose?
- Choosing the Right Material
- Helix Jewellery Inspiration
- FAQs
What Is Helix Jewellery?
Helix jewellery is worn in the cartilage piercing positioned along the outer rim of the upper ear. Because a traditional helix can be placed at different points along this rim, the way your jewellery sits will depend on your individual anatomy and the exact position of your piercing.
Flatback labrets are a popular choice, creating a neat stud-like look with the decorative end sitting against the outer cartilage. Once your piercing is fully healed, suitable hoops and clickers can also be worn, wrapping around the edge of the ear for a different silhouette.
Helix earrings come in a wide variety of designs, from tiny gemstones and minimalist shapes to clusters, celestial motifs, chains and more unique helix earrings. This versatility makes helix piercing jewellery easy to style on its own or coordinate with the rest of your ear stack.
Flatback Labrets: The Classic Choice
Flatback labrets are one of the most versatile choices for helix jewellery. Their straight post and smooth flat disc create a neat, low-profile fit, while the decorative end remains visible along the outer cartilage.
The position of your piercing can also influence the design you choose. Smaller pieces can work beautifully at different points along the outer rim, while more decorative designs positioned higher on the helix can help draw the eye towards the top of your ear stack.
Whatever style you prefer, your flatback should be correctly fitted for your anatomy and piercing placement. The right post length will depend on your individual ear rather than the design of the decorative end.
Helix Clickers: A Decorative Alternative
Once your helix piercing has fully healed, a clicker hoop can offer a stylish alternative to a flatback labret. Rather than sitting directly against the cartilage like a stud, the hoop wraps around the outer rim of the ear to create a more defined silhouette.
Helix hoops can be kept simple with a slim polished design or made more decorative with cubic zirconia, textured details and other embellishments. Dangling helix earrings can introduce movement, while helix chain earrings can add a more layered effect to your ear stack.
Chains can also be used to connect jewellery across different piercings, creating a coordinated look that works particularly well alongside simpler studs and hoops.
Not every clicker will suit every helix. The diameter, piercing position and shape of your outer cartilage all affect how the jewellery sits, so it's important to choose a correctly fitted piece rather than selecting a hoop based on appearance alone.
Helix Hoop or Flatback: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between a flatback labret and a helix hoop largely comes down to the look you prefer, as well as your anatomy and piercing placement. Both can create very different effects once your piercing is fully healed.
Choose a Flatback Labret If...
You prefer a neat, stud-like look or want the decorative end to be the main feature. Flatbacks offer plenty of styling flexibility, from tiny gemstones and minimalist shapes to stars, clusters and more detailed designs.
Choose a Hoop or Clicker If...
You want the jewellery to follow the outer edge of your ear and create a more noticeable silhouette. A simple clicker can keep the look minimal, while stones, chains or dangling details can make your helix more of a focal point.
There's no need to stick with one style forever. Once your helix is fully healed, switching between correctly fitted flatbacks and suitable hoops can give the same piercing a completely different look.
Choosing the Right Material
The material you choose can affect both the appearance and everyday comfort of your helix jewellery. Lightweight, durable jewellery that works well with your skin is a practical choice for a piercing you plan to wear every day.
Implant-grade titanium is a popular option because it's lightweight, hypoallergenic, waterproof and tarnish-resistant. Titanium helix jewellery is available in a wide variety of styles, making it easy to find anything from a simple everyday stud to a more decorative piece.
High-quality stainless steel is another durable option, offering a polished finish and plenty of choice across studs, hoops and decorative designs. Whichever material you choose, look for well-made helix piercing jewellery that's appropriately fitted to your individual piercing.
Both silver and gold helix jewellery can work beautifully with this placement. You can coordinate one finish throughout your ear stack for a polished look or mix metals for something more individual. If you're unsure which colours suit you, read our guide to choosing the best metal and stone colours for your skin tone.
Helix Jewellery Inspiration
FAQs
What type of jewellery is best for a helix piercing?
Flatback labrets are a popular choice for helix piercings because they offer a neat fit and come in a wide range of decorative styles. Once your piercing is fully healed, a suitable hoop or clicker can also be worn depending on your anatomy and piercing placement.
Can you wear a hoop in a helix piercing?
Yes. Once your helix piercing is fully healed, a correctly fitted hoop or clicker can be worn as an alternative to a flatback labret. The right diameter depends on your anatomy and piercing placement, so it's important to choose a hoop that fits your individual ear.
Is titanium good for helix jewellery?
Yes. Implant-grade titanium is lightweight, hypoallergenic, waterproof and tarnish-resistant, making titanium helix jewellery a popular choice for everyday wear. Always make sure the jewellery is correctly fitted for your individual piercing.
Can you wear chain or dangling earrings in a helix?
Once your helix is fully healed, suitable helix chain earrings and dangling helix earrings can add movement and detail to your ear stack. The jewellery should fit comfortably without creating unnecessary pulling or pressure on the piercing.
What styles of helix earrings can I choose from?
Helix earrings range from minimalist studs and star designs to clusters, hoops, chains and dangling styles. The finished look can also vary depending on placement, with mid helix earrings creating a different effect from jewellery positioned higher along the outer rim.
Where can I buy helix earrings?
You can buy helix earrings from specialist piercing jewellery retailers. With Bling offers a range of helix piercing jewellery, including flatback labrets, helix studs, hoops, chains and decorative designs in different materials and finishes.
