Industrial Piercing Jewellery: Straight Barbells
An industrial piercing is two cartilage holes near the top of the ear connected by a single long straight barbell that spans them. It is one of the boldest ear looks, and the jewellery is distinctive: a long barbell, plain or decorative, that bridges the upper ear. Here is how to choose industrial piercing jewellery that fits and heals.
Vanhess sells piercing jewellery in Coquitlam; we do not perform piercings. Get pierced at a professional studio, then use this guide to choose your industrial jewellery.
One long barbell spanning two piercings
The defining feature of an industrial is that a single straight barbell passes through two separate cartilage piercings, usually a forward-upper and a rear-upper helix, bridging the top of the ear. That makes length the most important measurement: the bar has to span your specific anatomy exactly. Plain barbells with ball ends are the classic, and decorative bars, a feather, an arrow, a bar with a charm, add personality once healed. Because it links two piercings, it is a striking, architectural placement.
Fresh industrial care
An industrial asks a lot of healing, because a single bar holds two cartilage piercings that each heal on their own and can be tugged by the shared bar. It commonly heals over many months up to a year or more. Use an implant-grade titanium bar for a fresh industrial, following Association of Professional Piercers guidance, keep it clean with saline, and be very careful about sleeping on it or catching it, since movement of the long bar disturbs both holes at once.
Gauge and size
| Detail | Common range for industrial |
|---|---|
| Gauge (thickness) | Often 14G |
| Barbell length | Long, fitted to span your two piercings; specific to your ear |
| Style | Plain ball-end bars, or decorative bars (feather, arrow, charm) |
| Best fresh-piercing material | Implant-grade titanium |
Our sizing and gauge guide explains these numbers.
Styling
The industrial is a statement in itself, a bold bar across the top of the ear, so it often anchors the look with simpler studs elsewhere. A decorative bar becomes the ear's centrepiece, while a plain bar reads clean and modern. Our styling guide helps you balance it with the rest of your piercings.
What to check when buying industrial jewellery
Before you buy, confirm a few things so the piece fits and heals well:
- Gauge match. Buy the same gauge as your piercing, usually 14G for a industrial. Too thin and it moves in the channel; too thick and it will not fit.
- Smooth through the piercing. Choose threadless or internally threaded jewellery so nothing rough passes through the channel. Externally threaded posts drag screw threads through and irritate it.
- Material. Implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136) or solid nickel-free gold only. Skip anything plated or unmarked.
- Barbell length. An industrial bar is fitted to span your two piercings; length is specific to your ear, so follow your piercer and match it exactly when replacing.
- Finish. The piece should feel glass-smooth, with no rough edges or casting pits that can snag tissue.
Style and gemstone options
Industrial barbells come plain with ball or cone ends, or decorative with a shaped middle such as a feather, arrow, or a bar hung with a small charm, in yellow, white, or rose solid gold as well as titanium. Because the bar is long and holds two piercings, many people keep a plain titanium bar for healing and switch to a decorative solid-gold bar once fully healed. Match the length exactly when you change it.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Changing too early. Swapping jewellery before the piercing is fully healed is the top cause of bumps and setbacks. Wait for your piercer's go-ahead.
- Cheap or plated metal. Nickel and worn plating cause most "my piercing is reacting" problems. Stay with implant-grade titanium or solid gold.
- The wrong size. A post or ring that is too long, too short, or the wrong gauge moves, snags, or presses. Match your gauge and get the length or diameter right.
- Over-cleaning. More than a twice-daily saline rinse, or using alcohol and ointments, slows healing rather than helping it.
- Sleeping on it or knocking it. Pressure and snags are a common cause of irritation, especially in the early weeks.
Aftercare in brief
Whatever you wear, a healing piercing needs the same simple routine: clean it once or twice a day with sterile saline, keep your hands off it, do not twist or remove the jewellery, and leave it in until a professional says it is healed. Stay out of pools, hot tubs, and lakes, and avoid knocks and sleeping on it in the early weeks. Most trouble comes from cheap metal or the wrong size rather than too little cleaning, so the jewellery you choose matters as much as the routine. Our aftercare guide has the full method, and our guide to bumps versus infection covers what to watch for.
Key Takeaways
- An industrial is two cartilage piercings joined by one long straight barbell.
- Length is the key measurement; the bar must span your specific anatomy exactly.
- It heals slowly and both holes are linked by the bar, so protect it from knocks and pressure.
- Commonly 14G; start with implant-grade titanium and switch to decorative bars once healed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What jewellery goes in an industrial piercing?
A single long straight barbell that spans the two cartilage piercings. Plain ball-end bars are the classic, and decorative bars such as a feather or arrow add personality once healed. The one essential is that the length fits your ear exactly.
What gauge is an industrial piercing?
Commonly 14G, a little thicker to support the long bar across two piercings. Match replacement jewellery to the gauge your piercer used, and to the exact length, since the bar must span both holes.
Why is an industrial hard to heal?
Because one bar holds two cartilage piercings, and moving the bar disturbs both at once. It commonly heals over many months up to a year or more. Protect it from sleeping pressure and snags, keep up saline aftercare, and be patient.
Can I change my industrial bar myself?
Once fully healed, yes, but match the length and gauge exactly, and use clean hands. Because it threads through two piercings, it is fiddlier than a single piece, so many people have their piercer change it, especially the first time.
Can an industrial bar be gold?
Yes. Decorative and plain industrial bars come in solid gold. Many people heal on an implant-grade titanium bar and switch to a solid-gold decorative bar once the piercings are fully healed.
Sources
- Association of Professional Piercers — Jewelry for Initial Piercings
- Association of Professional Piercers — Aftercare
General information, not medical advice. See a professional piercer for the piercing itself. Reviewed 20 July 2026.
Visit Vanhess
We stock industrial barbells in implant-grade titanium and solid gold, plain and decorative, at 2929 Barnet Highway, Unit 2424 in Coquitlam. Browse our piercing jewellery, or call +1 (604) 653-6449. See the helix and jewellery types guides next.