Piercing jewelry
In the early modern era, piercing jewelry was limited to women wearing round earrings. This outlook has changed dramatically since the 1960's when more and more men and women started wearing a variety of piercing jewelry. Unlike before, piercing jewelry today is not only limited to round earrings but there is an abundant variety of products that cater to the needs of different body piercings and they not only come in a variety of shapes and sizes but also in different metals and other materials.
Let's take a look at the different materials that are used to make piercing jewelry today.
Gold:
Gold is by far the most famous material among millions of piercing lovers. Gold has not only hypnotized modern era piercers but from ancient times gold has been a symbol of prosperity. Today, gold used for piercing jewelry is usually 14 or 18 carats in purity. People who want to use gold piercing jewelry should remember to not use gold in healing piercings.
Silver:
Silver is only second to gold in popularity, but it's used by more people as it is cheaper than gold. Piercing jewelry made out of silver can be either look silver or it can also be made to look black with some treatment, this adds a unique look to some designs that mix the silver and black combination. Remember to avoid using silver jewelry for new piercings as certain body fluids can discolor the metal.
Bronze:
Many Asian countries use bronze to make big ear piercing jewelry that showcase ethnic designs. Remember to buy your bronze jewelry from authorized dealers as some bronze piercing jewelry contains arsenic which is not good for your skin.
Surgical Steel:
First used in 1666 for fixing fractures, surgical steel is one of the most common and preferred piercing jewelry material around the world. There are different grades of surgical steel but the most commonly used grades for piercing jewelry is 316L or 316LVM.
Titanium:
Piercing jewelry made from Titanium is extremely light and very strong. Jewelry made from this material is immune to scratches or other imperfections, however, it is very expensive but it's always worth the money. In addition, titanium jewelry can be anodized and made in a wide array of colors.
Niobium:
Similar to Titanium, Niobium jewelry is a little heavier. Piercing jewelry is usually made with 99.9% Niobium and is also referred to as '999 Niobium.'
Glass:
This is one of the oldest and cheapest piercing jewelry materials. They are usually comfortable and can be made in a variety of colors. The only drawback is that they break very easily.
Plastic:
Initially, plastic piercing jewelry was used for healing piercings. Today, they offer some of the cheapest options of piercing jewelry in the market.
Wood:
Many ancient civilizations used wood for piercing various body parts. Nowadays, wood piercings can be found in a variety of colors and shapes. Though, wood piercing jewelry is normally safe, it is not preferred for new or healing piercings.
Precious Stones:
These are usually heavy and their price varies depending on the weight and type of stone. They come in a wide variety of colors that can compliment one's dress, skin or eye color, etc.
Let's take a look at the different materials that are used to make piercing jewelry today.
Gold:
Gold is by far the most famous material among millions of piercing lovers. Gold has not only hypnotized modern era piercers but from ancient times gold has been a symbol of prosperity. Today, gold used for piercing jewelry is usually 14 or 18 carats in purity. People who want to use gold piercing jewelry should remember to not use gold in healing piercings.
Silver:
Silver is only second to gold in popularity, but it's used by more people as it is cheaper than gold. Piercing jewelry made out of silver can be either look silver or it can also be made to look black with some treatment, this adds a unique look to some designs that mix the silver and black combination. Remember to avoid using silver jewelry for new piercings as certain body fluids can discolor the metal.
Bronze:
Many Asian countries use bronze to make big ear piercing jewelry that showcase ethnic designs. Remember to buy your bronze jewelry from authorized dealers as some bronze piercing jewelry contains arsenic which is not good for your skin.
Surgical Steel:
First used in 1666 for fixing fractures, surgical steel is one of the most common and preferred piercing jewelry material around the world. There are different grades of surgical steel but the most commonly used grades for piercing jewelry is 316L or 316LVM.
Titanium:
Piercing jewelry made from Titanium is extremely light and very strong. Jewelry made from this material is immune to scratches or other imperfections, however, it is very expensive but it's always worth the money. In addition, titanium jewelry can be anodized and made in a wide array of colors.
Niobium:
Similar to Titanium, Niobium jewelry is a little heavier. Piercing jewelry is usually made with 99.9% Niobium and is also referred to as '999 Niobium.'
Glass:
This is one of the oldest and cheapest piercing jewelry materials. They are usually comfortable and can be made in a variety of colors. The only drawback is that they break very easily.
Plastic:
Initially, plastic piercing jewelry was used for healing piercings. Today, they offer some of the cheapest options of piercing jewelry in the market.
Wood:
Many ancient civilizations used wood for piercing various body parts. Nowadays, wood piercings can be found in a variety of colors and shapes. Though, wood piercing jewelry is normally safe, it is not preferred for new or healing piercings.
Precious Stones:
These are usually heavy and their price varies depending on the weight and type of stone. They come in a wide variety of colors that can compliment one's dress, skin or eye color, etc.
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