Abstract: There is described a cartridge for an ear piercing apparatus comprising a clasp-holding member provided with means for holding a clasp of a stud assembly and a stud-holding member provided with means for holding a stud of the stud assembly, one of the members having a guide formation which co-operates with a complimentary guide formation provided on the other of the members so as to facilitate the relative of movement of the members in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stud when held by the stud-holding member, said means for holding the clasp comprising means defining a slot within the clasp-holding member for the receipt of the clasp and retaining means for engagement with the clasp when the clasp is received within the slot.