Materials Guide
Body Jewelry Materials: What's Safe & What to Avoid
The material matters more than the style. Here is every body jewelry material, its safety status, and when to use it — based on APP member standards.
✓ APP Position: The Association of Professional Piercers recommends implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136) as the primary material for initial jewelry, followed by solid 14k or 18k gold, implant-grade steel (ASTM F138), and niobium. All other materials are not recommended for healing piercings.
Safe Materials
These are the only materials recommended for healing piercings. All healed piercings can use any of these.
✓ APP Primary Choice
Implant-Grade Titanium
ASTM F136 • Ti-6Al-4V ELI
The APP's top recommendation for all body jewelry, especially initial piercings. Used in surgical implants and bone screws. Completely nickel-free, lightest body jewelry metal.
Properties- Zero nickel content
- Lightest metal option
- Anodizable (any colour)
- Mirror polish stable
- Widest availability
Limitations- No warmth of gold
- Anodized colour can fade
✓ APP Approved
Solid Gold
14k (58.5%) or 18k (75%) — max 18k
Safe for both healing and healed piercings. Beautiful and long-lasting. The APP specifies maximum 18k — higher karats are too soft for secure threaded connections.
Properties- Permanent, investment piece
- Warm aesthetic
- Yellow, white, rose gold
- Long-term value
Limitations- Heavier than titanium
- More expensive
- 14k contains alloys
✓ APP Approved
Implant-Grade Steel
ASTM F138 • 316LVM Surgical Steel
Safe for most people in healed piercings. Contains trace nickel bound in the alloy — safe unless you have confirmed nickel allergy. Not recommended for fresh piercings if nickel-sensitive.
Properties- Affordable
- Extremely durable
- Wide availability
Limitations- Trace nickel content
- Heavier than titanium
✓ APP Approved
Niobium
Nb • Pure elemental niobium
Nearly identical biocompatibility to titanium. Can be anodized. The go-to choice for anyone who reacts to titanium (extremely rare). More expensive and harder to source.
Properties- Titanium-level safe
- Anodizable
- For titanium reactors
Limitations- Harder to find
- More expensive
✓ Healed Piercings Only
Borosilicate Glass
Non-porous • Perfectly smooth
Non-porous, perfectly smooth surface, beautiful for healed stretched ears. Not suitable for fresh piercings — fragile. Gorilla Glass, Pyrex. Avoid soda-lime glass.
Properties- Non-porous
- Perfectly smooth
- Unique aesthetics
What to Avoid
These materials cause reactions, infections, or long-term damage. Never use them in a healing piercing, and use caution even in healed ones.
Gold-Plated / Gold-Filled
Base metal (usually brass) causes reactions. Coating chips and contaminates the channel.
Acrylic / Plastic
Porous — harbours bacteria. Releases chemical leachates. Never in a healing piercing.
Sterling Silver (925)
Tarnishes, oxidises, and the copper content causes reactions in healing tissue.
Mystery Metal / Costume
Unknown alloys — nickel, lead, cadmium all common. No certifications possible.
Silicone
Only safe in fully stable stretched ears. Never for fresh stretches or healing piercings.
Organic Materials (for healing)
Wood, bone, horn — porous and can't be sterilised. Healed piercings only.
Not sure what you have?
Upload a photo to ID My Piercing, or ask Helix to find the right implant-grade replacement.