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Your conch piercing is fully healed
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You want to switch from starter jewellery to a hoop
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You are choosing between 10mm and 15mm in 16G or 18G
This guide is for healed conch piercings only
A conch piercing passes through cartilage and needs time to settle before a hoop feels comfortable. Switching too early can cause irritation, pressure, or prolonged healing. If your conch is still sore, swollen, crusting, or producing discharge, it is too early to change jewellery.
Quick answer
For many healed conch piercings, 12mm is the most balanced starting point.
10mm for a snug fit. 11mm for just a little more room. 13mm for a softer step up from 12mm. 14mm for a roomier fit. 15mm if your anatomy needs the loosest, most visible option.
16G is the standard conch gauge, while 18G is a finer option for healed piercings.
Which conch hoop size fits best?
Conch hoop size chart
| Diameter | Look | Best for | Choose this if… |
|---|
| 10mm | Snug, fitted | Smaller or shallower conch placements | You want the closest fit |
| 11mm | Close but softer | Between snug and balanced | 10mm feels too tight but 12mm feels too open |
| 12mm Best starting point | Balanced, everyday fit | Many healed conch piercings | You want the most common comfortable choice |
| 13mm | Slightly relaxed | A softer step between 12mm and 14mm | You want a looser look without going too big |
| 14mm | Roomier | Larger anatomy or deeper placement | You need more clearance |
| 15mm | Most relaxed | Largest or loosest fit | You want the most visible hoop |
Not sure between two sizes?
Choose the larger one. A hoop that is slightly bigger is usually more comfortable than one that presses into the cartilage.
Should you choose 16G or 18G?
Gauge is the thickness of the wire, not the size of the hoop. For conch hoops, 16G is the standard gauge, while 18G is a finer option for healed piercings.
| Gauge | Thickness | Best for | Notes |
|---|
| 16G Standard conch gauge | 1.2mm | Standard conch fit | The most familiar and commonly recommended gauge |
| 18G | 1.0mm | Finer healed-piercing look | Slightly lighter and more delicate in appearance |
If your conch was originally pierced at 16G, an 18G hoop may still fit once healed, but it can feel lighter and sit differently than what you are used to.
When can you wear a conch hoop?
A conch piercing goes through cartilage and usually needs time to fully settle before a hoop feels comfortable. Switching too early can cause irritation or delay healing.
Before changing jewellery, make sure your conch shows no pain, swelling, crusting, or discharge. If it still feels tender or reactive, wait longer and ask your piercer to confirm healing.
Why does my conch hoop feel tight?
It feels tight or digs into the ear
The diameter is too small. Move up one size, for example from 10mm to 12mm or from 12mm to 14mm.
It sits further away than expected
The diameter may be larger than your anatomy needs. That is not always wrong, but if you want a closer fit, try one size smaller.
How do I measure my conch for a hoop?
If you already own a conch hoop that fits well, place it flat on a surface and measure straight across the inside opening in millimetres. That measurement is the inner diameter you should order.
If you do not have a hoop to measure, the most reliable approach is to ask your piercer. They can assess your anatomy and recommend the best inner diameter. If you prefer to estimate at home, measure the distance from the piercing hole to the inner edge of the conch fold — this gives you a rough guide, but anatomy can make it tricky to measure accurately on your own.
Why choose 14K solid gold?
A healed conch often does best with high-quality materials, especially if you want a hoop you can wear daily. 14K solid gold is a strong choice because it will not peel or flake like plated jewellery.
For many customers, solid gold offers the best balance of beauty, durability, and everyday comfort. It is a strong choice if you want a fine hoop you can keep in regularly.
Shop by size
Know your size? Go straight to the right hoop. Available in 10mm to 15mm, in 16G and 18G, in solid 14K yellow gold.
10mm
Snug fit
Best for a close, fitted look on smaller or shallower placements.
Shop 10mm →
11mm
Just a little more room
A step up from 10mm when snug feels too tight but 12mm feels too open.
Shop 11mm →
12mm
Best starting point
The most balanced, comfortable choice for many healed conch piercings.
Shop 12mm →
13mm
Softer step up
Between 12mm and 14mm. A little more space without jumping to a roomier fit.
Shop 13mm →
14mm
Roomier fit
Better for larger anatomy or deeper placement.
Shop 14mm →
15mm
Most relaxed fit
Best for the loosest, most visible look.
Shop 15mm →
10mm to 15mm
sizing
16G & 18G
options
14K solid gold
for long-term wear
Designed for
healed conch piercings
Made for healed conch piercings
14K Solid Gold Conch Hoop
Handmade conch hoop. 14K solid gold, nickel-free alloy. Available in 16G and 18G. Sizes 10mm to 15mm. Ships from the UK.
Shop conch hoops →
Frequently asked questions
What size conch hoop should I buy?
For many healed conch piercings, 12mm is the most balanced starting point. Choose 10mm for a snug fit, 14mm for a roomier fit, and 15mm if your anatomy needs a looser look.
Is 10mm too small for a conch hoop?
Not always. 10mm can work well for smaller or shallower conch placements, especially if you want a close fit.
Is 11mm a good conch hoop size?
Yes. 11mm sits between snug and balanced. It is a good choice if 10mm feels too tight but 12mm feels slightly too open.
Is 12mm the best conch hoop size?
For many people, yes. It is often the most balanced and comfortable starting point.
Is 13mm too big for a conch hoop?
Not necessarily. 13mm is a softer step between 12mm and 14mm. It is a good choice if you want a little more room without jumping to a roomier fit.
Is 14mm too big for a conch hoop?
No. 14mm is a common option for larger anatomy or deeper placements.
Is 15mm too big for a conch hoop?
It can be for some people, but it is a valid choice if you want the loosest, most visible fit.
What gauge is a conch hoop?
The most common conch gauge is 16G. Some healed conches can also wear 18G.
Is 16G the standard conch gauge?
Yes. 16G is the most familiar and commonly recommended gauge for conch piercings and conch hoops.
Should I choose 16G or 18G for a conch hoop?
Choose 16G for the standard fit. Choose 18G if you want a finer look and your healed piercing already accommodates it comfortably.
Can I wear a hoop in a healed conch piercing?
Yes, as long as the piercing is fully healed and no longer painful, swollen, or irritated.
When can I change my conch to a hoop?
Only once it is fully healed. If you are unsure, ask your piercer before changing jewellery.
How do I measure my conch for a hoop?
Measure the inside diameter of a hoop that already fits you well, or ask your piercer to assess your anatomy.
Why does my conch hoop feel tight?
The diameter is probably too small for your anatomy. Moving up one size usually solves the problem.
Is 14K solid gold good for a conch hoop?
Yes. It is a strong long-term material choice for a healed conch piercing.
The gold conch hoop you’ll wear every day
14K solid gold. Fine fit. Made for healed conch piercings. Available in 16G and 18G, from 10mm to 15mm.
Shop conch hoops →
S
Stepoy
Piercing Jewellery Specialists
We craft handmade 14K solid gold conch hoops in 16G and 18G, from 10mm to 15mm. Every recommendation in this guide is designed to help customers choose the right size for a healed conch piercing.
