Last updated: 17 September 2026
There are four main types of nose stud fastening at jewellerybox: L-shaped, Andralok, ball end and nose screw. They all sit differently inside your nostril, and the best one for you usually comes down to how easy you want it to be to change and how securely you want it to stay in place.
Quick answer: L-shaped studs are our most popular and are easy to put in, Andraloks are our most secure, nose screws are secure but a little more involved, and ball-end studs are simple friction-fit styles best suited to well-established piercings.
| Type | How it stays in | How easy it is to put in | How secure it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| L-shaped | A bent pin hooks inside the nostril | Easy | Secure for most people, but can occasionally slip out if the piercing is on the larger side |
| Andralok | A tiny internal lever clicks shut | Easy once you're familiar with the fastening | Our most secure type |
| Ball end | A small ball on the pin creates a friction fit | Very easy | Less secure than Andralok or a nose screw |
| Nose screw | A spiral pin twists in and holds itself in place | A little fiddlier | Our second most secure type |
Jump to: L-shaped nose studs | Andralok nose studs | Ball-end nose studs | Nose screws | Nose rings | Sizes and gauges | FAQs
L-shaped nose studs
An L-shaped nose stud has a straight pin with a bend near the end, creating the L shape that gives this style its name. Once it's in place, that bent section sits inside your nostril and helps stop the stud sliding straight back out.
This is our most popular type of nose stud and one of the simplest styles to get used to.
Pros:
- Easy to put in and remove.
- The bent pin helps keep the stud in place.
- A straightforward choice if you're changing nose jewellery yourself for the first time.
Cons:
- It isn't a locking fastening.
- If your piercing is on the larger side, an L-shaped stud can occasionally slip out.
If you want something simple without a separate clasp or locking mechanism, an L-shaped stud is usually a good place to start. Browse our L-shaped nose studs.
Andralok nose studs
An Andralok nose stud uses a patented fastening with a tiny lever on the inside of the nostril. Once the pin is through the piercing, the lever clicks shut to lock the stud in place.
Of the nose stud styles we sell, Andralok is our most secure fastening.
Pros:
- The lever clicks shut rather than relying on friction or a bend.
- Our most secure nose stud style.
- A good option if you're particularly concerned about losing your nose stud.
Cons:
- The fastening is more substantial than a simple L-shaped or ball-end pin.
- Our Andraloks have a thicker pin than many of our nose studs (18Ga, around 1mm, where many of our L-shaped studs are 22Ga), so check your gauge before you buy.
Browse our Andralok nose studs.
Ball-end nose studs
A ball-end nose stud, sometimes called a nose bone, has a straight pin with a small ball on the end that sits inside your nostril. The ball is slightly wider than the pin and creates the friction fit that helps keep the stud in place.
This is one of the simplest styles mechanically because there is no bend, screw or separate fastening to deal with.
Pros:
- Simple straight-pin design.
- Very easy to push in and pull out.
- No clasp or mechanism to open and close.
Cons:
- It relies on friction rather than a locking fastening.
- The retaining ball has to pass through the piercing when the stud is inserted or removed.
For that reason, ball-end studs are best for well-established piercings. Browse our ball-end nose studs.
Nose screws
A nose screw has a curved or spiral-shaped pin. Instead of hooking sharply like an L-shaped stud, the pin follows a curve inside the nostril and holds itself in place.
Nose screws are our second most secure nose stud style after Andralok.
Pros:
- The spiral shape helps keep the jewellery securely in place.
- More secure than a simple friction-fit style.
- A good option if you like changing between different nose stud designs regularly.
Cons:
- They're a little fiddlier to insert than an L-shaped or straight ball-end stud.
- You need to follow the curve of the pin rather than pushing it straight through.
Browse our nose screws.
If you're looking for actual insertion instructions rather than the differences between the styles, see our guide to putting in a nose stud or nose ring.
What about nose rings?
Nose rings are a separate style of nose jewellery and come with their own range of closures, including open hoops, ball closure rings, segment hoops, hinged or clicker rings and spring coil rings.
We keep the full breakdown in our nose stud and nose ring how-to guide, which also explains how the different ring closures work. You can browse all our nose rings here.
Nose stud size vs nose stud gauge
When you're choosing a nose stud, there are two measurements that are easy to confuse.
Stud size usually means the size of the decorative part you can see on the outside of your nose — for example, the diameter of a ball, crystal or other design.
Pin gauge means the thickness of the wire that actually passes through your piercing.
Gauge works backwards: the higher the gauge number, the thinner the pin. For example:
- 18Ga = 1.02mm
- 20Ga = 0.81mm
- 22Ga = 0.64mm
- 24Ga = 0.51mm
The fastening type and gauge are listed on each jewellerybox product page, so check what you currently wear before ordering a replacement. Our jewellery gauge guide explains the sizing system in more detail.
Our sterling silver and 9ct gold nose jewellery is intended for healed piercings only. If you've recently had your nose pierced, wait until it has healed before switching from the jewellery fitted by your piercer. See our guide to when you can change a piercing.
Nose stud styles FAQs
Are L-shaped nose studs good?
Yes, if you want a simple fastening. The bend hooks inside the nostril, they're easy to put in and they're our most popular nose stud style. They stay in place well for most people, although they can occasionally slip out if the piercing is on the larger side.
Which type of nose stud is most secure?
Andralok is our most secure nose stud fastening because its tiny internal lever clicks shut. Nose screws are our second most secure option.
Which nose stud is best for a first change?
An L-shaped nose stud is usually the easiest option for a first jewellery change because the fastening is simple and easy to handle. Make sure the piercing is fully healed first; see our guide to when you can change a piercing.
Which nose stud is easiest to put in?
Ball-end studs are the simplest straight push-in style, while L-shaped studs are also very easy to handle. For a fuller comparison and insertion advice, see our guide to putting in different nose stud styles.
Which nose stud is best if mine keeps falling out?
Andralok is our most secure style, followed by a nose screw. If an L-shaped stud regularly slips out because your piercing is on the larger side, one of those more secure fastening types may suit you better.
How do I know which type of nose stud I have?
Look at the part that sits inside your nostril. An L-shaped stud has a sharp bend, a ball-end stud is straight with a tiny ball on the end, a nose screw has a curved or spiral pin, and an Andralok has a small lever that clicks shut.
Every jewellerybox product page also lists the fastening type, so if you've bought yours from us you can check the original product listing.
Browse all our nose studs to compare L-shaped, Andralok, ball-end and nose screw styles.