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Instructions for Captive Bead Rings

Captive bead rings provide body piercings with an affordable piece of jewelry. They are comprised of a simple wire or plastic ring that has a gap in which the captive bead rests. The bead not only adds accent to the appearance of your piercing, but it also keeps the ring from slipping out of the holes of the piercing. Putting a captive bead ring into any of your piercings takes a steady hand and a little patience.

Things You'll Need

  • Captive bead ring
  • Small box or compact (to hold the loose bead)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a captive bead ring that corresponds with the size of your piercing. Sizes range from 0 gauge all the way to 20 gauge. The smaller the number of the gauge means the larger the piercing.

    • 2

      Pry open the bead ring with your fingers, making sure to pry only enough to allow the captive bead to slide out between the points of the ring.

    • 3

      Place the bead in a small box to keep it from rolling away. A compact makeup mirror also works well to hold the bead temporarily.

    • 4

      Grasp the area surrounding your body piercing with your thumb and forefinger. Allow the piercing holes to line up as you squeeze your skin together.

    • 5

      Insert one of the pointed ends of the ring through one of the piercing holes. Slide the ring through carefully until the pointed end protrudes from the other piercing hole.

    • 6

      Grasp the bead firmly between your thumb and forefinger. Rotate the bead in your fingers until the holes match the position of the points of the ring inserted in your piercing.

    • 7

      Wedge the bead between the two ring points and allow the bead to slide down one of the points.

    • 8

      Keep a steady hand and gently squeeze the ring with your thumb and forefinger until the other point of the ring snaps into the bead's hole.

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