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Metals selected for use in the body jewelry
industry are chosen because of their body friendly qualities and
durability. Different metals can be considered to be more
hypoallergenic than others. Each metal possesses certain traits
that can appeal to some and not to others. For these reasons, it
is a good idea to know and have a basic understanding of the
metals used in this industry. On this page you will find the
most common metals used for body jewelry in the U.S. |
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SURGICAL STAINLESS STEEL |
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Surgical Stainless Steel is the grade of steel used in surgical
implants and is the most common metal used for body piercing
jewelry. Surgical Stainless Steel jewelry is very dependable,
relatively inexpensive and few people have adverse reactions to
it. For these reasons it has become the metal of choice in the
body jewelry industry and is used in approximately 95% of
initial piercings. |
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Surgical Stainless Steel 316L |
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Surgical Stainless Steel 316L is a form of steel used in the
body piercing industry. The 316L refers to the steel being of
the low carbon variety. 316L is considered to be an
austenitic steel meaning it is generally non-magnetic even when
annealed. The non-magnetic property of this metal is very useful
since in most instances it cannot be detected by electromagnetic
sensing and therefore cannot be detected by standard metal
detectors such as ones found in airports. Surgical Stainless
Steel 316 can be anodized
resulting in a wide array of available colors. |
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Surgical Stainless Steel 316LVM |
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Surgical Stainless Steel 316LVM is a form of the low carbon 316L
that has additionally undergone vacuum melting. The vacuum melting
process prevents airborne contaminates from attaching to the
steel molecules providing a more consistent steel. For most
people it is not necessary to purchase 316LVM in order to have a
healthy piercing. |
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TITANIUM |
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Titanium is a very lightweight elemental metal similar to
Niobium. Due to the low weight
of Titanium it is ideal for people who wear larger gauges. The
difference in weight can be easily felt when comparing to other
metals. Titanium comes in many different alloys with the alloy
6AL4V being the most common in the body jewelry industry. The
6AL4V abbreviation represents the 60% Aluminum and 40% Vanadium
ratio used to produce the Titanium. Titanium is the most human
compatible of all metals due to its total resistance to attack
by the body. The human body accepts Titanium because of its
non-reactive qualities. Also as an added benefit of Titanium,
the Titanium along with its Oxides are harder than
Niobium and therefore when
anodized, the color will last
longer than that of Niobium. Anodized Titanium can keep its
color for over a year depending on use. |
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NIOBIUM |
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Niobium is an elemental metal and is strong but relatively
flexible. Niobium does not react chemically. Few people have
Sensitivities to Niobium. Niobium is also heavier than Surgical
Steel and in larger gauges the difference can be felt. Like all
other metals Niobium can be
anodized
to produce a wide array of color choices. |
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GOLD |
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The purity of gold is determined by a
Karat. |
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1 Karat = 1/24th of the alloy is pure Gold |
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10 Karat = 10/24th – 41.6% Gold, 58.4%
Nickel+Silver+Zinc+Copper+Others |
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14 Karat = 14/24th – 58.3% Gold, 41.7%
Nickel+Silver+Zinc+Copper+Others |
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18 Karat = 18/24th – 75% Gold, 25%
Nickel+Silver+Zinc+Copper+Others |
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24 Karat = 24/24th – 100% Gold |
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Due to the ratio of Gold to other alloys, it is recommended that
only jewelry made of at least 14 Karat Gold be used in healed
piercing and only jewelry made from 18 Karat or higher be used
in a unhealed piercing. |
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Jewelry that is gold plated can be used only in healed piercing. |
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In
contradiction to some beliefs, Karat Gold contains many other
alloys and for some people the presence of these other alloys
allows for an adverse reaction to the metal. Alloys present in
Karat Gold include Nickel, Silver, Zinc and Copper. |
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If
you are sensitive to any of the above alloys it is best not to
wear gold. |
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White Gold |
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White Gold is achieved by using a higher amount of Nickel in the
creation of the Karat Gold and therefore can often times cause
more adverse reactions then Yellow Gold. Some Karat Gold
manufacturers use Platinum instead of nickel to produce the
White Gold. |
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Colored
Gold |
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Although seldom seen, other color Gold is achieved by increasing
certain alloys in the Karat Gold. Green Gold will contain a
higher ratio of Zinc and Pink Gold will contain a higher ratio
of copper. Colored Gold is ill suited for wearers with these
alloy sensitivities. |
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Gold Care |
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Due to the high concentration of other alloys present in Karat
gold it has been found that acidic perspiration is enough to
corrode the non gold alloys which can produce a discoloration on
the skin and the tarnishing of the jewelry. Also gold that is
exposed to urine may develop a rough surface due to the acidic
corrosion of the alloys. Daily cleaning and polishing of the
jewelry can prevent this occurrence. |
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ACRYLIC |
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Acrylic is an impact resistant plastic half the weight of glass
or steel, which can easily be made into bright colors and
designs. Due to being lightweight Acrylic is most often used in
enlarged piercing where minimal weight is desired. Acrylic
Jewelry should not be used in fresh or unhealed piercing.
Acrylic Jewelry cannot be autoclaved. Acrylic jewelry can be
brittle and can fracture when exposed to stress. |
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ANODIZING |
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Anodizing begins by submerging the jewelry in a specific
electrolyte solution. Voltage is then applied into the solution,
which creates an oxide layer on the jewelry. The different
colors are obtained by the varying degrees of voltage applied
during the process resulting in a different thickness of
oxidation. The different thickness of the oxide layer results in
the different colors by the light refracting through this layer.
The anodized layer of oxide will eventually wear away and the
jewelry will return to its native color. How long it takes to
wear away depends on many variables such as how thick the oxide
layer is and also based on the friction the jewelry is subject
to. Some anodized colors fade at a faster rate than others due
to the thinner oxide layer. Some colors can begin the fading
process in as little as 4 to 6 months. |
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