I have been wanting to get my cartilage pierced for a long time.. my BFs sister got hers done at clairs with the gun and two weeks later it is just fine. I am wanting to know if I should use a small "diamond" or the silver stud? Also I work at a place where I can't let metal show.. would it be bad to cover it with a bandage while I'm working?

NEVER get your body pierced with a gun. Guns can not be sterilized, they just wipe an alcohol wipe over it which by the way doesn't kill blood born pathogens such as HIV (aids) and hepatitis. Also, when using a gun, the cartilage is put under immense pressure with a blunt object being fired through it which tears the cartilage, whereas a needle is hollow and pushes the cartilage out of the way without damage.

Go to a reputable piercing parlor and get it done. I would not advise putting a plaster over it, you'll need to let the air get to it during the healing process and you shouldn't have your hair over it all of the time as it can irritate the piercing whilst it heals. In piercing parlors they usually give you titanium jewellery because if you don't know what metals you're allergic to then it could muck up your piercing. Titanium is a metal used for jewelry that the majority of people do not have an allergic reaction to.

I suggest you wait until you have a space of around 6 weeks off work before you change the jewellery to a clear stud/retainer.