“What’s a little pain if it’ll make me look hip” seems to be the prevalent thought among the young and the old who are turning out in increasing numbers to participate in the body jewelry trend. Not so long ago, only punk rockers and those with ‘bad boy’ images, such as former NBA star Dennis Rodman, were seen sporting body piercings in mainstream media. Today, body jewelry is endorsed by pop celebrities with mass followings, including Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Fiona Apple and Lenny Kravitz. Britney Spears has an extensive collection of navel rings, and Christina Aguilera is said to wear the most interesting body jewelry in areas that are covered by her clothing.

Some celebrities with an otherwise ‘serious’ image are nevertheless fans of body art. Actress Camryn Manheim of the television drama ‘The Firm’ sports multiple earrings on the cartilage of one ear. Gillian Anderson, who played the cynical and skeptical FBI agent Dana Scully in the television series ‘The X Files,’ has a pierced belly button. Performers with tongue piercings include former Spice Girl Melanie Brown (Scary Spice) and dancer Jimmy Gulzar, while supermodels Christy Turlington and James King are proud of their piercings. Some sports celebrities also wear body jewelry, including WWE wrestlers A-Train and Billy Gunn, as well as football player Ricky Williams.

Body jewelry has also been used throughout the ages to enhance sensation, and by extension, sexuality and sexual performance. Genital and nipple piercing in both men and women, while not as widespread as nose, ear, tongue, navel and eyebrow piercing, still has its own following. Singer Janet Jackson has stated on the Oprah Winfrey talk show that she likes the sensation that her pierced nipples give her. Other celebrities with pierced nipples include rock musicians Axl Rose and Tommy Lee, Icelandic singer Bjork and rapper Lil Kim. Pop princess Britney Spears likewise has a pierced nipple.

Celebrities, whether they like it or not, are oftentimes looked up to as role models and the influence they wield over their fans is considerable. Fans emulate their idols’ preferences: from clothing, mannerism, even to the wearing of body jewelry. More and more, they are playing a leading role not only in the direction of today’s fashion trends but also in the shaping of modern pop culture.

There are various reasons associated with wearing body jewelry depending on religion, culture and castes. In medieval age the jewelry was used to boast the status of the person who wore it. Interestingly, before some decades, they represented a rebellious hip culture and the hip youth. Today, in the modern era, body jewelry is a way of enhancing beauty and hence, is a popular fashion. There are many types of jewelry having origin from the ancient rituals and are still popular.

Nose piercing jewelry: Wearing nose ring can be recorded as the first type of body piercing jewelry. It is a prevailing trend of fashion and tradition in countries like India and Middle East. Till date, it is popular among the young folks. Whereas, many popular pop-stars have been found piercing their nostrils to wear nose rings.

Ear piercing Jewelry: It is the most common form of jewelry and famous among people of every religion and it is popular amongst both men and women from day immemorial. Though ear rings are used for decorative as well as cultural reasons, today, they have been alienated from their symbolic root and are being treated as any other piece of decorative item.

Tongue piercing jewelry: Wearing tongue piercing jewelry was a ritual among tribal people of some specific geographic region. However, today they are common among sophisticated young generation. Interestingly, there are some celebrities who are making tongue piercing jewelry as their fashion statement.

Eyebrow piercing jewelry:Though this kind of jewelry is famous since long, today they adorn the fashionable youths making them boast their chic outlook.

Other piercing jewelry: Popularly know as belly piercing jewelry, naval piercing jewelry is popular among women. As naval is one among the seductive part of the body, the jewelry is meant, specifically, to raise an erotic feeling. Nipple piercing jewelry is current trends of jewelry fashion though in ancient times it was being used for enhancement of sexual stimulation.

Some studies explore that piercing body parts is totally safe and convenient way to adorn body with jewelry. Some people take consent of a doctor before choosing some extra-ordinary fashion in piercing body. However, if you are getting it done from an experienced body piercing professional, you are in the safe zone. So, it is time you can zoom in to your kind of fashion with exiting jewelry.

Women are very fond of jewelry, but men are not lagging too far behind. Looking at the growing interest of all the males, the market is flooded with all types of jewelry meant for men and women. Gone are the days when the body was covered only with clothing. Now it is considered very important to enhance your body with jewelry. Not that jewelry is used just to decorate your body; it can also be used to enhance certain parts of your body. Body jewelry is meant for various parts of the body like nose, eyebrow, ear lobes, naval etc. Everyone wishes to make his or her own fashion statement.

Nose jewelry usually comes in the classic captive circular barbell or as a nose screw. Well the nose screw can be jeweled or plain, and this depends on your choice. Similar to nose jewelry the eyebrow jewelry also includes the small captive barbell. You can actually enhance your eyebrow by wearing a sparkling, dangling captive barbell. The eyebrow jewelry is normally designed in a curved or straight fashion, adding a charm to your eyebrows, dangling from the top.

The naval jewelry is an upcoming attraction amongst the youth. It is becoming a unique fashion statement. Nipple jewelry usually includes the nipple barbells and the nipple shields. You get a variety of designs in body jewelry. There were times where fashion statements were made by the punk rockers and those having the ”bad boy” image. But the picture seems to be totally different today, as most of the youth follow these fashion statements more religiously. Usually the pop celebrities endorse the body jewelry. Often, the celebrities play role models and influence the youth to follow the fashion trends.

However, you need to ensure few things before you select any kind of jewelry. First check if the material of the body jewelry suits your skin so that you prevent skin from getting damaged. Also if you planning nose or eyebrow piercing ensure that it is done in a sterile and antiseptic environment. Well if you are thinking that your budget is less and you are avoiding buying the jewelry just for this reason, then do not. There is a huge variety available in the market starting from the lowest pricing up, to suit every budget.

Bracelets

One of the most highly collected forms of estate jewelry are bracelets.  They come in many different forms and sizes that many times contain quality diamonds and vintage gemstones.

Earrings

Almost everyone can find beautiful set of earrings but finding a rare set of antique earrings  from an estate sale can be one of the most luxurious items one can purchase.  Whether you prefer diamond studded earrings or ones that contain vintage pearls there should something that you are fond of.

Antique Watches

Old antique watches have always been some of the most popular estate jewelry items.  They are so popular because they are very unique and also very hard to find in good working condition.  Unlike other types of jewelry these  items contain mechanical parts which can get damaged over time.

Antique Necklaces

These necklaces are normally some of the finest pieces of jewelry that have ever been made.  The amazing thing is that many antique necklaces are becoming the norm for many movie stars and famous celebrities as a way to accessorize their ensemble.

Fashion Rings

Depending on the center stone that is used in many antique fashion rings you may find an amazing accessory to add to your collection.  Whether you prefer sapphires or emeralds, a rare stone can be a wonderful centerpiece for any fashion ring.

Old vintage jewelry has become very popular over the past 20 years and as people purchase them as collectors items, gifts, or even costume jewelry they will continue to be in demand as time goes on.  There are many different ways to accessorize and make a dramatic fashion statement by purchasing rare antique jewelry.