A comprehensive mapping of jewelry types to body locations, organized by wear method.
Visual Control Foundation This is one of two foundational references for jewelry photography:
- Jewelry Photography Taxonomy → — Shot types, parameters, how to photograph
- Jewelry Categories Reference (this article) — What jewelry exists, where it goes
Purpose
This document establishes a complete reference for jewelry categories. It answers:
- What types of jewelry exist? (All categories)
- How are they worn? (Worn vs Pierced)
- Where can each type be placed? (Body location mapping)
This reference is foundational for photography planning. Knowing where jewelry can be placed determines which poses and camera angles are relevant.
Design Principles
Complete Coverage
Every commercially relevant jewelry type is included. We err on the side of inclusion — it’s easier to ignore a category than to add one later.
Wear Method First
The primary division is HOW jewelry attaches to the body (worn vs pierced), not WHERE it goes. This matters because:
- Pierced jewelry requires different photography considerations (showing the piercing itself)
- Worn jewelry can be shown on/off the body more easily
- The two categories have different customer expectations
Many-to-Many Relationships
One jewelry type can go in multiple locations (a stud earring can be in lobe, tragus, or nose). One location can hold multiple jewelry types (wrist holds bracelets, watches, and cuffs). We map all valid combinations.
Primary Categories
1. WORN
Definition: Jewelry that attaches to the body through physical structure (clasps, bands, pins) without requiring a piercing.
Subcategories:
| Subcategory | Attachment Method | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Circlet | Encircles body part | Rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces |
| Clasp | Opens/closes to attach | Watch bands, cuffs, chain bracelets |
| Pin | Pierces fabric, not skin | Brooches, tie pins, lapel pins |
| Drape | Hangs or drapes | Pendants, body chains, hair chains |
| Clip | Clips onto body/clothing | Ear cuffs, nose cuffs, clip-on earrings |
2. PIERCED
Definition: Jewelry that requires a body piercing to wear. Passes through a hole in the body.
Subcategories:
| Subcategory | Piercing Type | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Post | Standard piercing with backing | Stud earrings, labrets |
| Hoop | Circular through piercing | Hoop earrings, septum rings, nose rings |
| Barbell | Bar through piercing | Industrial bars, tongue bars, nipple bars |
| Plug | Stretched piercing | Ear plugs, tunnels |
| Captive | Ring with captive bead | CBR earrings, belly rings |
Complete Jewelry Type Reference
Worn Jewelry
| Jewelry Type | Primary Location | Secondary Locations | Attachment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ring | Finger | Toe | Circlet |
| Engagement Ring | Ring finger | - | Circlet |
| Wedding Band | Ring finger | - | Circlet |
| Signet Ring | Pinky finger | Ring finger | Circlet |
| Midi Ring | Mid-finger (knuckle) | - | Circlet |
| Thumb Ring | Thumb | - | Circlet |
| Toe Ring | Toe | - | Circlet |
| Bracelet | Wrist | Ankle (as anklet) | Circlet/Clasp |
| Bangle | Wrist | Upper arm | Circlet |
| Cuff Bracelet | Wrist | Upper arm | Clasp |
| Tennis Bracelet | Wrist | - | Clasp |
| Charm Bracelet | Wrist | Ankle | Clasp |
| Watch | Wrist | - | Clasp |
| Anklet | Ankle | - | Circlet/Clasp |
| Necklace | Neck | - | Circlet/Clasp |
| Choker | Neck (close) | - | Circlet/Clasp |
| Pendant | Neck (on chain) | - | Drape |
| Lariat | Neck | - | Drape |
| Chain | Neck | Waist, body | Circlet |
| Body Chain | Torso | - | Drape |
| Belly Chain | Waist | Hips | Circlet |
| Brooch | Chest/Lapel | Shoulder, Hat | Pin |
| Tie Pin | Tie | - | Pin |
| Tie Clip | Tie | - | Clip |
| Lapel Pin | Lapel | - | Pin |
| Cufflinks | Shirt cuff | - | Clasp |
| Hair Pin | Hair | - | Pin |
| Hair Clip | Hair | - | Clip |
| Tiara | Head | - | Circlet |
| Crown | Head | - | Circlet |
| Headband | Head | - | Circlet |
| Ear Cuff | Ear (outer) | - | Clip |
| Clip-on Earring | Earlobe | - | Clip |
| Hand Chain | Hand/Finger | - | Circlet/Drape |
| Slave Bracelet | Hand/Wrist | - | Circlet/Drape |
Pierced Jewelry
| Jewelry Type | Primary Location | Secondary Locations | Attachment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stud Earring | Earlobe | Tragus, Helix, Nose | Post |
| Hoop Earring | Earlobe | Helix, Daith, Septum | Hoop |
| Drop Earring | Earlobe | - | Post |
| Dangle Earring | Earlobe | - | Post |
| Huggie Earring | Earlobe | Helix | Hoop |
| Chandelier Earring | Earlobe | - | Post |
| Threader Earring | Earlobe | - | Post |
| Cartilage Earring | Helix | Tragus, Conch | Post/Hoop |
| Tragus Jewelry | Tragus | - | Post/Barbell |
| Helix Jewelry | Helix | - | Post/Hoop |
| Daith Jewelry | Daith | - | Hoop/Captive |
| Conch Jewelry | Conch | - | Post/Hoop |
| Rook Jewelry | Rook | - | Barbell/Hoop |
| Industrial Bar | Helix (through) | - | Barbell |
| Nose Stud | Nostril | - | Post |
| Nose Ring | Nostril | Septum | Hoop |
| Septum Ring | Septum | - | Hoop/Captive |
| Lip Ring | Lip | - | Hoop/Captive |
| Labret | Lower lip | Cheek | Barbell |
| Monroe/Madonna | Upper lip (side) | - | Post |
| Medusa | Upper lip (center) | - | Post |
| Tongue Ring | Tongue | - | Barbell |
| Eyebrow Ring | Eyebrow | - | Barbell/Hoop |
| Belly Button Ring | Navel | - | Barbell/Captive |
| Nipple Ring | Nipple | - | Barbell/Hoop |
| Dermal Anchor | Various | - | Post (implant) |
| Ear Plug | Earlobe (stretched) | - | Plug |
| Ear Tunnel | Earlobe (stretched) | - | Plug |
Body Location Reference
By Region
Head & Face
| Location | Worn Jewelry | Pierced Jewelry |
|---|---|---|
| Hair | Pins, clips, chains, tiaras | - |
| Forehead | Headbands, tikkas | Dermals |
| Eyebrow | - | Eyebrow rings, barbells |
| Ear (Lobe) | Ear cuffs, clip-ons | Studs, hoops, drops, plugs |
| Ear (Cartilage) | Ear cuffs | Helix, tragus, daith, conch, rook |
| Nose | Nose cuffs | Studs, rings, septum |
| Lip | - | Rings, labrets, studs |
| Tongue | - | Barbells |
| Cheek | - | Dermals, labrets |
Neck & Torso
| Location | Worn Jewelry | Pierced Jewelry |
|---|---|---|
| Neck | Necklaces, chokers, pendants, chains | - |
| Collarbone | Body chains | Dermals |
| Chest | Brooches, body chains | Dermals |
| Nipple | - | Rings, barbells |
| Navel | Belly chains | Belly rings |
| Back | Body chains | Dermals |
Arms & Hands
| Location | Worn Jewelry | Pierced Jewelry |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Arm | Arm bands, cuffs | Dermals |
| Wrist | Bracelets, watches, cuffs | - |
| Hand | Hand chains, slave bracelets | - |
| Finger | Rings (all types) | - |
| Shirt Cuff | Cufflinks | - |
Lower Body
| Location | Worn Jewelry | Pierced Jewelry |
|---|---|---|
| Waist | Belly chains | - |
| Hip | Body chains, hip chains | Dermals |
| Thigh | Thigh chains | - |
| Ankle | Anklets | - |
| Toe | Toe rings | - |
Photography Implications
Worn vs Pierced: Key Differences
| Aspect | Worn Jewelry | Pierced Jewelry |
|---|---|---|
| On-body requirement | Can show on/off body | Usually shown in place |
| Scale reference | Body helps, not required | Body often required |
| Removal for detail | Easy to photograph alone | May look incomplete alone |
| Customer concerns | Fit, comfort, clasp quality | Gauge, material safety, healing |
| Product shots | Standard studio works | May need to show gauge/size |
Location-Specific Considerations
| Location | Photography Notes |
|---|---|
| Ear | Multiple piercings common — show stacking potential |
| Finger | Show ring on multiple fingers, stacking |
| Wrist | Show with/without watch, stacking |
| Neck | Show necklace length, layering |
| Nose/Face | Requires close-up, profile views important |
Scope for studio formel
Primary Focus (Production Ready)
These categories have well-established photography conventions and high commercial demand:
| Category | Types |
|---|---|
| Rings | Engagement, wedding, fashion, signet, midi |
| Earrings | Studs, hoops, drops, huggies |
| Necklaces | Chains, pendants, chokers, layering pieces |
| Bracelets | Bangles, cuffs, tennis, charm |
Secondary Focus (Planned)
Categories with growing demand or specialized needs:
| Category | Types |
|---|---|
| Watches | Luxury, fashion, smart watches |
| Anklets | Chains, charms |
| Body Jewelry | Body chains, belly chains |
| Men’s Jewelry | Cufflinks, tie clips, signet rings |
Future Consideration
Categories requiring specialized photography approaches:
| Category | Types |
|---|---|
| Piercing Jewelry | Cartilage, septum, tragus |
| Stretched Jewelry | Plugs, tunnels |
| Hair Jewelry | Pins, clips, chains |
Cross-Reference: Body Location to Poses
This table connects to the Common Poses in the Taxonomy (Part 0):
| Body Location | Relevant Poses |
|---|---|
| Hand/Finger | Relaxed natural, Face touch (chin/cheek), Hair touch, Holding object, On surface, Clasped hands, Extended/reaching |
| Wrist | Relaxed natural, Face touch (chin/cheek), Hair touch, Holding object, On surface, Extended/reaching, Wrist display, Crossed arms |
| Ear | Head tilted, Touch jewelry, Over shoulder, Hair swept, Profile, 3/4 view, Hair tucked, Both visible |
| Neck | Open neck, Head tilted, Chin up, Touch jewelry, Over shoulder, Hair swept, Looking down |
| Face | Chin up, Profile, 3/4 view, Straight on, Chin down, Slight expression |
| Ankle | Relaxed natural, Standing crossed, Seated extended, Walking, Foot elevated, Lying down |
| Torso | Lying down, Arms raised, Torso twist, Standing straight |
Next Steps
- Part 0 (Taxonomy): Continue with remaining shot types (Lifestyle, Flat Lay, Collection, Packaging, Brand)
- Part 2: Visual testing — which poses work best for each jewelry type
- Integration: Update Essential Jewelry Shots article with this framework
About studio formel
studio formel is an AI-powered image generation platform built specifically for jewelry brands. We combine systematic research on AI photography with a flexible asset management system, helping jewelry sellers create professional product images at scale.