The simplest way to determine the gauge size of your jewelry, especially for body jewelry, is by using a specialized tool called a gauge wheel or measurement card.
Gauge size refers to the thickness of the jewelry post or wire. Unlike standard measurements (like millimeters or inches), gauge works on an inverse scale for smaller sizes – a higher gauge number means thinner jewelry, and a lower gauge number means thicker jewelry. For larger sizes, actual millimeter measurements are often used instead of gauge numbers.
Using a gauge wheel is a straightforward process designed to match your existing jewelry to a standardized size.
Steps to Determine Gauge Size with a Gauge Wheel
- Obtain a Gauge Wheel: You can find gauge wheels online or at some piercing shops. These tools have a series of holes or slots of varying, marked sizes.
- Prepare Your Jewelry: Take the piece of jewelry you want to measure.
- Find the Right Fit: Slide your jewelry through the holes until you find a hole that fits snugly. The goal is to find the smallest hole the jewelry fits through without needing force.
- Identify the Size: The size printed next to that hole will be your gauge size.
- Example: If you slide your earring post through several holes and it fits perfectly in the hole marked "18g", then your jewelry is 18 gauge. If it's too loose in 18g but doesn't fit in 20g, it's likely 18g.
This method relies on a physical comparison to a calibrated tool, providing a precise way to identify the jewelry's thickness according to standard gauge measurements.
