A contact element of an electrical connector includes an anchoring section having barbs for securing the contact element in a bore defined in a connector and a pin engaging section connected to the anchoring section by a reduced connection section. An elongate projection is formed on the connection section and substantially extends therealong for blocking a wicking path between the anchoring section and the pin engaging section thereby suppressing wicking of solder and/or gold coating through the connection section. The projection may be simply formed by pressing the connection section. The projection may be replaced by an elongate opening.