There are several jewelry options for nose piercings, including rings, nose bones and screws. Rings are the most obvious choice, but you may want a more subtle stud rather than the classic ring. Nose screws and bones protect the delicate tissue inside your nose, helping you to avoid potential nosebleeds, while staying securely in place.

Nose bones resemble a stud earring with a shorter than normal stud, and the stud ends in a small, round ball. The ball is small enough to pass through your piercing with relative ease, but large enough to keep the nose bone from falling out of the piercing.

A nose screw does not have a ball on the end but ends with a small curve or a curved semicircular metal shape.

Both nose bones and nose screws remain in your nose securely and are an appropriate choice for daily life. The nose screw will sit flat along the inside of your nostril, while the bone will protrude further into your nose. You can opt for a nose screw for a new piercing, but nose bones should only be used on healed piercings, according to BMEzine.com. A nose bone may be easier to insert and remove than a screw, but this can depend on the positioning of your nostril piercing.

Bones and screws are both stud-style nose jewelry. You can opt for a small crystal or gemstone, a tiny heart or star, or a simple round dot. You may even be able to find skin-tone jewelry to hide your piercing when appropriate. Select piercing jewelry in scale with your face and nose, opting for a smaller bone or screw if you are petite, for the most flattering appearance. Some piercers will bend a screw to custom fit your nose for comfort.

Nose bones and screws come in various sizes. Typically, nostril piercings use 18-gauge jewelry, but you may find screws and bones as large as 14-gauge, according to BMEzine.com. If you are unsure, purchase the smaller 18-gauge for comfort and a good fit. You may find that some bones are shorter than others, and some screws smaller. A smaller screw may hide in the nostril more easily, and a shorter bone may reduce the risk of discomfort when you wipe or blow your nose.

Whether you select a nose bone or a nose screw, choose hypoallergenic metals. Look for surgical grade stainless steel, titanium, niobium or 18-karat or higher gold to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction, recommends InfiniteBody.com. Your piercer may be able to recommend the metal that works best for you, particularly if you are prone to nickel allergies or are having a hard time with healing. If you are concerned about changing your nose jewelry on your own, many piercing shops will do the change as a service included with your bone or screw purchase.