Titanium is the safest material to use for initial piercings. But not just any titanium. It must be specifically titanium that has ASTM F-136 certification, or equivalent ASG certification, to be considered implant-grade.Implant-grade titanium is an extremely biocompatible material (it is widely used in medical implants) and, most importantly, it does not contain nickel. Nickel is an allergen, and many people are allergic without knowing it. By using implant-grade titanium, we immediately rule out any allergic reaction.Titanium is naturally gray, but another positive characteristic is that it can be anodized in a huge palette of colors. This chemical process is simple and transforms the jewellery into a myriad of combinations. The color may fade over time, depending on the person's body and friction, but the jewellery will never chip.Implant-grade titanium is our recommendation for any initial piercing.

Steel is widely used in body jewellery. However, it's important to note that not all steel is suitable for piercings. It's quite common to see jewellery for sale using terms like "surgical steel." This type of steel is frequently used to manufacture surgical instruments because it is sterilizable and corrosion-resistant. However, it is not, by itself, a biocompatible material nor is it suitable for use in body jewellery or medical implants.For steel to meet the right conditions for permanent contact with the body, it must achieve implant-grade quality. This is only possible if you have ASTM F-138 certification, or equivalent ASG certification. However, there is a major caveat with this type of jewellery. Despite having all the certifications, the jewellery is never 100% nickel-free. For this reason, sensitive individuals may still experience allergic reactions.That being said, while implant-grade steel is technically appropriate for use in initial piercings, titanium is preferable. The price doesn't vary much, and it's guaranteed that there will be no allergic reaction to nickel.

Gold has been used in jewellery since the dawn of civilization. It is a biocompatible and inert material. In its purest state (24K gold), it is quite malleable and, as a consequence, very easy to scratch and dent. For this reason, 24K gold is not suitable for piercings.For piercings, it is recommended to use 18K gold (75% gold, 25% other materials) or 14K gold (58% gold, 42% other materials). It is also important that the jewellery does not contain nickel to avoid allergic reactions. The more gold the jewellery has, the more biocompatible it is, but it becomes less resistant. For this reason, for initial piercings, it is recommended to use 18K gold. 14K gold is reserved for healed piercings.If you want to have a gold piece of jewellery in an initial piercing, we recommend using a titanium post, anodized in yellow, and a gold top.White gold is traditionally made with a mixture of gold and nickel to give it its white color. However, to avoid allergic reactions, quality body jewellery uses palladium.

Glass is another material that is biocompatible and inert in its natural form. Glass is widely used in large gauge piercings or in stretching piercings because it is a lightweight material. It is also used in more conventional piercings due to its transparent color, when you want to keep the piercing but conceal it.The types of glass most frequently used in the manufacture of body jewellery are borosilicate glass and fused quartz. Borosilicate glass is more commonly used in large gauge jewelry and allows for a wide selection of colors. Fused quartz is more commonly used in conventional diameter piercings due to its strength and transparent color.

Niobium is a rarer and less commonly used material than titanium, but it is extremely biocompatible and contains no nickel. Niobium can also be anodized and, unlike titanium, it can be anodized to a black color. Naturally, niobium is gray.