Very few metals and alloys have been proven safe and effective for initial wear in piercings. For acceptable body jewelry materials, our industry uses the materials guidelines established for medical implants as defined by the ISO and ASTM, along with materials that have a long history of documented compatibility with the human body, such as gold, platinum, and niobium. Jewelry for initial piercings should be internally threaded or threadless — exposed threading causes unnecessary trauma passing through the skin.

Safe for a healing piercing

Titanium

An extremely inert, lightweight element — our standard, and what's included in every ECW piercing price. It can be anodized to create different colors by producing an oxide layer; colors may fade with time and certain chemical exposure, but that never affects the safety of the jewelry. Look for implant-grade certification (ASTM F136).

Steel (implant-grade)

Low-carbon stainless steels such as 316L and 316LVM are used for their proven biocompatibility — but not all 316L(VM) steel meets ASTM or ISO certification, so certification matters more than the alloy name.

Gold (14k or higher)

Gold has been worn in piercings successfully for thousands of years and is considered biocompatible for most people when pure enough. It should be 14k or above; rose or green gold alloyed with copper or silver is not suitable for healing piercings, and white gold must be nickel-free.

Niobium

Very similar to titanium but denser, used extensively for medical implant components. Like titanium it can be anodized for color; polished black niobium is acceptable, but matte black niobium has a rough finish and is not suitable for fresh piercings.

Glass

Fused quartz, lead-free soda-lime, and lead-free borosilicate glass are autoclavable and very biocompatible — though fragile in smaller sizes.

Not safe for a healing piercing

  • Gold-plated, gold-filled, or sterling silver jewelry — never appropriate for a new or unhealed piercing.
  • Acrylic — it can't be autoclaved, sensitivities can develop suddenly even after years of comfortable wear, and it can crack, shatter, or cloud.
  • Externally threaded jewelry — the exposed threads damage tissue on every insertion and removal.
  • Earring studs — never appropriate for anything other than healed earlobes.
  • Mystery metal — if a studio can't tell you the maker and show a mill certificate, you don't know what's in your body.

Standards change as the science does — check the Association of Professional Piercers (safepiercing.org) for the current list. Everything in our cases meets it, and we'll happily show you the certification for any piece we carry.