What are diamond belly button rings? Diamond belly button rings are navel piercing jewelry, usually a 14-gauge curved barbell, set with real or simulated diamonds. For a new piercing, choose implant-grade titanium or solid 14K–18K gold, and expect healing to take about 6 to 12 months.
Last updated: October 2026 · Aftercare checked against Cleveland Clinic and public-health guidance
Key Takeaways
- Navel piercings usually take 6 to 12 months to heal, and sometimes up to 18 months — Cleveland Clinic
- The standard navel barbell is 14 gauge (about 1.6 mm) and 9.5–11 mm long — Wikipedia
- For fresh piercings, pick titanium, 316L surgical steel, niobium or solid 14K–18K gold; avoid nickel-heavy and plated metals — Sutter Health
- Clean with sterile saline twice a day and don’t rotate the jewelry while it heals — Michigan Health Department
- If you suspect an infection, leave the jewelry in and see a doctor rather than removing it
- Many “diamond” belly rings use cubic zirconia; ask what the stone is before you pay diamond prices
What are diamond belly button rings?
Diamond belly button rings are pieces of body jewelry worn in a navel piercing and set with diamonds or diamond simulants. The most common design is a curved barbell, often called a “bananabell,” with a gem at the top, the bottom or both.
A small diamond adds sparkle that suits everyday wear, while larger stones and dangle charms make more of a statement. The value depends on the diamond’s quality and the metal, just as it does for other diamond rings.
Where did navel piercing come from?
Navel piercing is a modern trend. It is often claimed that ancient Egyptian royalty pierced their navels, but historians have found no reliable record of this; the story traces back to 20th-century piercing pioneer Doug Malloy (Wikipedia).
Navel piercings appeared in 1970s punk culture and went mainstream in 1993, when models Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell showed pierced navels at a London fashion show and Alicia Silverstone’s navel was pierced in Aerosmith’s “Cryin'” video. Pop stars such as Britney Spears made them a signature look in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
What types of diamond belly button rings are there?
The main styles are the classic curved barbell, the top-down (reverse) barbell, dangle styles with a hanging charm, and flexible barbells. Designs range from a single round diamond to flowers, hearts, crosses and clusters, set in gold, titanium or steel.
| Style | What it is | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic curved barbell | Curved bar with a gem on top | New and healed piercings | Choose the right length |
| Top-down (reverse) | Decorative end sits on top | Showing the design above the navel | Heavier tops can pull |
| Dangle | Charm hangs below the navel | Healed piercings, special occasions | Extra weight; can snag clothing |
| Flexible / PTFE | Bendable bar | Pregnancy, sports, sensitive skin | Less sparkle, shorter lifespan |
| Hoop / captive ring | Ring through the navel | Healed piercings only | More movement during healing |
Clip-on “fake” belly rings pinch the skin instead of going through it, so they suit people who don’t want a piercing but can easily fall off during activity. If you love body sparkle, see our guides to diamond nose rings, diamond toe rings and diamond earrings.
What size belly button ring do you need?
Most navel piercings use 14 gauge (about 1.6 mm thick) jewelry, with bars around 9.5 to 11 mm long (Wikipedia). Some people are pierced at 16 gauge (about 1.2 mm), which is thinner and needs matching jewelry.
Your piercer may use a longer bar at first to allow for swelling and then “downsize” once it settles. Don’t force a thicker gauge into a smaller piercing, and check the gauge and length before you buy.
Which metals are safest for diamond belly button rings?
For a new or sensitive piercing, choose implant-grade titanium, 316L or 316LVM surgical steel, niobium, or solid 14K or 18K gold (Sutter Health). Cleveland Clinic notes that lower-grade metals containing nickel, cobalt or chromates are more likely to cause problems (Cleveland Clinic).
Avoid gold-plated, rhodium-plated or “mystery metal” jewelry in a healing piercing, because the plating can wear off and expose the base metal. Our gold diamond engagement rings guide explains karat purity in more detail.
Are the stones in belly button rings real diamonds?
Not always. Many affordable belly rings use cubic zirconia or crystal, which look similar at a glance but cost far less. Real diamonds, natural or lab-grown, are harder and keep their sparkle much longer.
Ask the seller exactly what the stone is and get it in writing. Learn the differences in our guides to cubic zirconia jewelry, imitation diamond rings and lab created vs real diamonds.
How do you care for a new navel piercing?
Clean it twice a day with sterile saline, leave the jewelry alone and keep friction to a minimum. The navel sits in a fold that moves constantly and rubs against clothing, which is why it heals slowly.
Public-health guidance recommends a sterile saline wound wash and advises against rotating the jewelry, which “may actually irritate the piercing” (Michigan Health Department). Avoid alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, harsh soaps, oils and lotions, and skip pools, lakes and hot tubs until it has healed (Sacramento County).
Wear loose, breathable clothing, avoid high-waisted belts and don’t sleep on your stomach. Rinse after heavy sweating, and wash your hands before touching the area.
What are the signs of an infected belly button piercing?
Watch for increasing pain, warmth, swelling, red streaks, fever, or thick yellow, green or smelly discharge. Some redness and crusting is normal while healing; an allergy to the metal more often shows as itching or a rash.
If you suspect an infection, don’t remove the jewelry yourself. Family physician Dr. Simon Hodes says, “You want to leave it in place to keep the hole open if possible,” and advises seeing a doctor if symptoms worsen or spread (Cleveland Clinic).
Can you wear a belly button ring during pregnancy?
Many people switch to a flexible PTFE or bioplast pregnancy barbell as the belly grows, because it bends with the stretching skin. Others remove the jewelry and accept that the piercing may close.
If you want to keep the hole open without metal, ask a professional piercer about a flexible retainer. Talk to your doctor or midwife about any jewelry during pregnancy and before medical procedures.
How we researched this guide
This evergreen guide updates our original belly ring article with Anthony Chege’s 20 years of selling diamond body jewelry. Because piercing aftercare is a health topic, we relied on Cleveland Clinic, Sutter Health and US public-health aftercare guidance rather than forum anecdotes, and corrected older tips such as rotating the jewelry and using tea tree oil. This is general information, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions about diamond belly button rings
What size is a standard belly button ring?
Most belly button rings are 14 gauge (about 1.6 mm thick) curved barbells with a bar length of around 9.5 to 11 mm. Some piercings are done at 16 gauge, which is thinner, so check your size before buying.
What is the best metal for a belly button ring?
For new or sensitive piercings, choose implant-grade titanium, 316L surgical steel, niobium or solid 14K or 18K gold. Avoid plated jewelry and metals high in nickel.
How long does a belly button piercing take to heal?
Navel piercings usually take 6 to 12 months to heal and sometimes up to 18 months, because the area moves constantly and rubs against clothing.
Should I twist my belly button ring while it heals?
No. Current public-health aftercare guidance says not to rotate the jewelry, because moving it can irritate the healing piercing. Clean around it with sterile saline instead.
Are diamond belly button rings real diamonds?
Some are, but many use cubic zirconia or crystal. Ask the seller exactly what the stone is and get it in writing before paying diamond prices.
When can I change my belly button ring?
Wait until the piercing is fully healed, usually 6 to 12 months, before switching to decorative or dangle styles. A professional piercer can change it sooner if a different length is needed.
Should I remove an infected belly button ring?
Usually not. Doctors advise leaving the jewelry in so the hole stays open and the infection can drain, and seeing a healthcare provider if pain, swelling or discharge worsens.
Can I keep my belly button ring in during pregnancy?
Many people switch to a flexible PTFE or bioplast pregnancy barbell as the belly grows, or remove the jewelry. Ask your doctor or midwife, especially before any medical procedure.
Ready to add some sparkle?
Choose titanium or solid gold, confirm the gauge and the stone, and explore more jewelry guides on our Home page.
Anthony Chege is a gem and jewellery dealer with 20 years’ experience sourcing, grading and selling diamonds and diamond jewelry. He writes for Diamond Rings Info on diamond grading, pricing and buying.