Gauging AKA Stretching

How many of you have noticed those kids with holes in their ears? Have you ever wondered how they got that way or what they are called?

For several years I have wondered those same questions until I got into my sophomore year of high school when I met a girl with stretched out ears.

Those types of body piercing are called gauges. Ear gauging originated ion Asia and was later practiced in Africa and South American tribes for centuries.

They range in all different sizes and have been in style for several centuries.

The history of gauges date back 3300 B.C. My gauges however date back only a few weeks.

The correct term for these piercings are ‘stretching’.

Gauges range from 16g to 1”. They usually start out at a gauge lower than 12 and then move up.

I went from a 12g to a 10g to a 6g.

I purchased my first set of gauges at my local Wal-Mart and put them in that night. I have to be honest here. When I first put them in my ears they hurt, but after my ears got used to them they didn't hurt at all.

That’s me up there in that picture. If you look to the left you can see my ears. I gauged up a few days ago to some Morbiu Metals: Body Jewelry 6g’s. They are green and I love them.

My friend DJ (pictured above) has had stretched ears for several years. His gauges are 5/8s. “It’s hard to explain why I like them [gauges]. They just make me happy, because it’s something I want to do and can do without anyone judging me.”

Have you ever judged someone because of their ears? Have you ever wondered why people do that? Next time you see someone with stretched ears think about it. For some people gauges are a life style. But for others like DJ, they are fun styles that make them happy. That separates them from the rest of the society.

Until next time lovelies.