Body jewelry and body piercing practices have been observed by various groups of people all over the world throughout the centuries. For some tribes it is a rite of passage, for others it is an indicator of social status. For many, body jewelry is used to enhance personal beauty and as devices to rise above the rest of the pack. Today’s celebrities have been at the forefront in making body jewelry much more mainstream and acceptable – even desirable.

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.

Essentially, the concept of jewelry for the body has to do with pieces that are meant to be attached to some part of the body as ornamentation. These are most often attached after a part of the body has been pierced and may be left in place indefinitely, or changed out with other pieces from time to time.

Belly rings are one form of body jewelry that has become more common. These are attached through a piercing of the belly bottom and often will either be something simple like a gold ring or diamond or ruby pin design, or may be something a little more fun, like a dangling tulip or even a religious symbol. Generally, belly rings are great for adding a touch of whimsy when one is at the beach or at other events where the belly button may be exposed.

Nipple rings are another form of body ornamentation that has caught on with both men and women. Usually, nipple rings will be something simple, like a gold or silver ring that is inserted through the pierced nipple. However, there are also dangling nipple rings that are similar to the dangling belly rings.

Nose and cheek jewelry has a place in the lives of some of the cultures within our society. Again, this involves a piercing and usually some sort of ornamental device is inserted through the piercing. Stickpins resembling a safety pin are a fairly traditional example of cheek jewelry, and also with the nose as well. Jeweled straight pins are another popular choice of body jewelry.

For the last decade, a number of daring people have begun to take an interest in jewelry that is made for the intimate areas. Some people report that the presence of body jewelry enhances the moment of romance, making intimacy more exotic. However, one should be aware that this type of body piercing will most likely have to be done somewhere other than at the mall.

If there is an area of the body that can be pierced, chances are there is a type of body jewelry that can be worn. Why not check out some samples of body jewelry the next time you are out shopping? You may be surprised at the selections and feel a tug to get a piece of jewelry for yourself.