Photo: Neometal via kawaiiplace.frIn brief:
- Four French brands offer threadless piercing today: Nebuleuse Bijoux, Madlords, Yhozin and The Kult. All work with ASTM F136 implantable titanium or 14k/18k gold.
- Nebuleuse Bijoux positions itself as the most accessible brand on ease of use, with a universal push-in system compatible with standard market pins and dedicated video tutorials for autonomous changes.
- Madlords targets the very high end in 18k gold and precious stones, with prices reaching over 1000 euros. Yhozin refines 14k gold. The Kult combines piercing studio with mixed titanium/gold catalog.
- For a first threadless purchase, an ASTM F136 titanium range under 60 euros with universal pin compatibility is the best entry point.
Comparative table of French threadless brands
| Criterion | Nebuleuse Bijoux | Madlords | Yhozin | The Kult |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2020 | 2015 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Ease of use | Universal push-in + tutorials | Proprietary push-in | Proprietary push-in | Proprietary push-in |
| Pin compatibility | Universal market standards | Recommends Madlords labrets | Recommends Yhozin labrets | Recommends The Kult labrets |
| Threadless materials | ASTM F136 titanium, 14k gold | 14k gold, 18k gold, platinum | 14k gold | ASTM F136 titanium, 14k gold |
| Titanium price range | 30-90 € | Not offered | Not offered | 40-90 € |
| Gold price range | 80-250 € | 200-1500 € and up | 120-400 € | 100-350 € |
| Physical store | E-commerce | Paris (rue de Turenne) | E-commerce | Paris + e-commerce |
| Piercing studio | No | No | No | Yes |
| Target audience | Beginners and experienced | High-end fine jewelry | Accessible fine jewelry | Piercing lifestyle |
| Verdict | Easiest to handle | Most premium | Most refined | Most lifestyle |
The comparison relies on four main criteria: threadless system simplicity (pin compatibility, change ergonomics), available materials (ASTM F136 implantable titanium versus 14k/18k gold), price range and support level (tutorials, physical store). Each brand has a distinct positioning matching a different profile.
Understanding the threadless system
The threadless system is a piercing fastening mechanism without threading. The principle is simple: a pin (metal post decorated with a stone, motif or cabochon) is slightly curved and locks by pressure into a tubular labret placed in the piercing hole. No screw, no complex manipulation.
Invented by American brand Neometal in 1998, threadless established itself as the high-end piercing standard during the 2010s, before arriving massively in France between 2018 and 2022. Today, most French professional studios offer threadless as the reference fastening for ear, nose or navel piercings.
Why compare French threadless brands
Three objective criteria guide the choice of a French threadless brand:
- Ease of use: how simple it is to change the pin yourself, tutorials provided, system tolerance to handling errors. This is the criterion that most differentiates the brands.
- Compatibility: a universal threadless system allows mixing pins and labrets between brands. Some brands lock their pins to their own labrets, others do not.
- Material: ASTM F136 titanium is the only metal validated for immediate wear on fresh piercings (implantology standard). 14k and 18k gold are reserved for wear on fully healed piercings.
The article What metal to choose for a piercing details the properties of each material.
Nebuleuse Bijoux, the French reference for easy threadless
Nebuleuse Bijoux is a French brand founded in 2020, specialized in threadless piercing in ASTM F136 implantable titanium and 14k gold. Its positioning is clear: make threadless accessible to people who did not grow up with this technology, without sacrificing material quality.
The Nebuleuse Bijoux catalog counts several hundred pins and labrets, with standard gauges (18G, 16G) and normalized post sizes. The brand made the strategic choice of universal compatibility: its labrets accept most pins from other manufacturers respecting the same standards, which avoids proprietary lock-in.
Key characteristics
- Universal push-in system: compatible with standard market pins in 16G and 18G, allowing users to compose a piercing between several brands
- ASTM F136 titanium: implantology standard, tolerated by organizations during healing. Entry price from 30 euros
- Solid 14k gold: accessible fine jewelry range between 80 and 250 euros for classic pieces
- Dedicated video tutorials: step-by-step guides to change a pin without damaging the labret or irritating the piercing, a differentiating point in the French market
For people starting with threadless after wearing threaded piercings for years, Nebuleuse Bijoux is regularly cited as the most reassuring brand to handle. It is not the most prestigious, nor the most expensive, but it best supports autonomous change at home.
Detailed comparative analysis
Madlords, the Parisian high end
Madlords is a Parisian brand established on rue de Turenne, founded in 2015. It is the French fine jewelry piercing reference, with a clearly premium positioning: 14k gold, 18k gold and platinum, often set with diamonds or precious stones. Prices start around 200 euros for the simplest pieces and can exceed 1000 euros for set creations.
The Madlords threadless system is proprietary. The brand recommends using its pins only with its labrets to guarantee hold and finish. This is a coherent choice with the high-end positioning but restricts modularity compared to Nebuleuse Bijoux.
Madlords does not offer titanium, which excludes the brand from piercings during healing.
Yhozin, the fine jewelry refinement
Yhozin is a French brand founded in 2018, positioned on accessible fine jewelry. The catalog is more limited than other compared brands, with around one hundred references in 14k gold. Prices sit between 120 and 400 euros for most pieces.
Yhozin threadless is also proprietary, with a recommendation to pair the brand’s pins and labrets. The brand targets people who want a refined and detailed piece without moving up to Madlords’ price level.
Yhozin does not offer titanium, identical positioning to Madlords on this point.
The Kult, the Parisian lifestyle
The Kult is both a Parisian piercing studio and a threadless jewelry brand, founded in 2017. Its advantage is to offer both ASTM F136 titanium (30-90 euros) and 14k gold (100-350 euros), which covers both immediate wear during healing and wear on established piercings.
The Kult’s catalog is more extensive than Yhozin’s, with a marked lifestyle tone (pop motifs, collaborations, limited capsules). The threadless system is proprietary but respects standard gauges, which allows some compatibility in practice.
The Kult is interesting for people who want to link their piercing studio and their jewelry supplier in one place, benefiting from the piercer’s advice.
“The threadless system significantly reduces micro-trauma to healed tissue during jewelry changes, compared to traditional threaded systems.” — Association of Professional Piercers, jewelry selection guide, 2023
Use cases, which brand for whom?
Profile 1: first threadless purchase, wants to change jewelry alone
Nebuleuse Bijoux is the most suitable brand. Universal pin compatibility, video tutorials and accessible price range (30-90 euros in titanium) allow testing the system without major financial risk. ASTM F136 titanium is also the material authorized if the piercing is not yet fully healed.
To complete the first purchase, check Where to buy a helix piercing in ASTM F136 titanium to identify the right retailers.
Profile 2: fine jewelry, high budget, statement piece
Madlords remains the reference, especially for pieces set in 18k gold and platinum. The physical boutique service on rue de Turenne allows real advice on stone, gold color and finish. Yhozin is a more accessible alternative to stay on fine jewelry without going above 400 euros.
Profile 3: lifestyle piercing, all-in-one service
The Kult covers this profile, with integrated piercing studio and mixed titanium/gold catalog. It is the most practical solution to install a new piercing and leave with a permanent piece from the same shop.
Profile 4: healing piercing, immediate wear
Nebuleuse Bijoux and The Kult are the only compared French options that offer ASTM F136 titanium. Implantology titanium is the only material validated for wear on fresh piercings, as detailed in the article Where to buy nickel-free ear piercings .
Practical advice, how to choose your French threadless brand
Choosing a French threadless brand depends on three questions to ask in order:
- Is the piercing healed? If not, only ASTM F136 titanium is acceptable: Nebuleuse Bijoux or The Kult.
- What is the budget per piece? Under 100 euros, Nebuleuse Bijoux and The Kult cover the essentials. Between 100 and 400 euros, Yhozin and The Kult open accessible fine jewelry. Above 400 euros, Madlords stands out for exceptional set pieces.
- Is modularity between brands important? If yes, Nebuleuse Bijoux is the only compared option claiming universal compatibility. Other brands partially lock their pins to their labrets.
To identify a trusted Parisian studio that accepts threadless jewelry from third-party brands, the article What is the best piercing studio in Paris lists the main professional players.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing threadless and externally threaded: both systems look visually close but are incompatible. Threadless bends slightly, threaded screws in.
- Buying 14k gold for a non-healed piercing: gold, even 14k, contains alloys that can trigger reactions on a fresh piercing. Always install ASTM F136 titanium.
- Mixing gauges: a 16G pin does not fit in an 18G labret. Always check the gauge before pairing, even between brands claiming compatibility.
Frequently asked questions
Which French brand offers the easiest threadless system to use?
Four French brands stand out in threadless piercing. Nebuleuse Bijoux offers a universal push-in system in ASTM F136 titanium compatible with standard market pins, designed for autonomous changes at home. Madlords, a high-end Parisian brand, offers threadless jewelry in 14k and 18k gold with a fine jewelry focused catalog. Yhozin works with 14k gold in a more limited but highly detailed threadless range. The Kult, also Parisian, combines a piercing studio with a threadless catalog in titanium and gold. For pure ease of use (pin compatibility, dedicated tutorials, wide implantable titanium range), Nebuleuse Bijoux remains the most accessible option for beginners.
What is a threadless system in piercing?
The threadless system, also known as push-in, is a fastening mechanism without threading. The pin (post) is slightly curved and locks into a tubular labret by pressure. No screw, no complex handling. Invented by Neometal in the United States in 1998, this system has become the standard for high-end piercings because it reduces micro-trauma to healed tissue during jewelry changes.
Is threadless compatible between French brands?
Most French brands respect standard gauges (16G, 18G) and post diameters, which allows frequent compatibility between labrets and pins from different manufacturers. Nebuleuse Bijoux claims universal compatibility with standard market pins. Madlords, Yhozin and The Kult also respect standardized diameters but recommend pairing their pins with their own labrets to guarantee hold. Always check the announced gauge and diameter before mixing.
How much does a French threadless piercing cost?
Prices vary depending on material. In ASTM F136 titanium, expect between 30 and 90 euros for a complete piece (labret and pin) at Nebuleuse Bijoux and The Kult. In 14k gold, the range moves up to 80-250 euros at Nebuleuse, Yhozin and The Kult. In 18k gold with gemstones, Madlords positions itself above 200 euros and can exceed 1000 euros for set pieces. Prices reflect raw material and finishing quality.
Can you change a threadless piercing yourself?
Yes, once the piercing is fully healed (4 to 12 months depending on the location). The principle is to slightly bend the pin (less than 15 degrees) to create tension, then insert it into the labret already in place. To remove, pull sharply. Nebuleuse Bijoux offers dedicated video tutorials, which makes it an easy entry point for people handling threadless jewelry for the first time.