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San Rafael
Our flagship studio is located on 4th Street in downtown San Rafael, the historic main thoroughfare of the city.
Here, we offer specialized appointments for body piercing and permanent jewelry, along with walk-in services for piercings and jewelry changes.
This studio features one of the largest selections of body jewelry in Northern California, with something for every style: from simple, everyday pieces to vintage jewelry, statement pieces, and jewelry for stretched piercings.
Mill Valley
Our Mill Valley studio is tucked inside Fred’s on Throckmorton Avenue, right in the heart of downtown Mill Valley. Primarily by appointment, we also welcome walk-ins whenever time allows. Here, you’ll find a carefully curated collection of gold jewelry in a relaxed and intimate setting that feels right at home in Mill Valley. Whether you’re looking for a new piercing, a special piece of jewelry, or simply taking a look around, we’d love to welcome you into the studio.
About us
Since opening our doors in 1993, Nomad Body Piercing has been committed to providing exceptional body piercing in a safe and welcoming environment. We were among the pioneering studios in the body piercing industry and have grown into a trusted destination for clients throughout the Bay Area. We continue to honor the craftsmanship, education, and high standards that have defined our work from the beginning.
We believe every piercing is personal. Whether you’re getting your very first piercing, curating a new look, or adding a unique piece of jewelry to your collection, our goal is to make your experience comfortable, informative, and enjoyable from start to finish. We take the time to answer questions, help you choose the right jewelry, and provide the guidance you need throughout the healing process.
Your safety is at the heart of everything we do. Our studios follow rigorous sanitary practices and use steam sterilization with autoclaves. We offer a carefully curated selection of body jewelry crafted from implant-grade titanium, solid gold, platinum, and glass. Every piece is chosen with quality, comfort, and long-term wear in mind.
With two studio locations, Nomad is proud to serve Marin County and the greater Bay Area with the same dedication that has defined our work for more than three decades. Whether you’re visiting us for a simple ear piercing or a carefully planned jewelry project, we’re here to help you find something that feels like you.
our History
Nomad began in San Francisco in 1993, founded by Blake Perlingieri during a time when professional body piercing was still a young industry. From the beginning, Nomad approached piercing as a craft and embraced techniques and styles that were uncommon in traditional piercing studios at the time, including freehand piercing and large-gauge work.
As the industry developed, so did Nomad. The studio became part of a growing community of piercers and professionals working to establish higher standards for safety and client care. When San Francisco began formally regulating body piercing practitioners in 2010, Nomad worked alongside the San Francisco Department of Public Health to help support those evolving standards.
In 2015, after more than two decades in San Francisco, Nomad moved north to San Rafael, bringing its experience, traditions, and commitment to the craft to Marin County. The move marked a new chapter for the studio while allowing Nomad to continue serving the community and growing its collection of fine body jewelry.
