Frequently Asked Questions

316L GRADE SURGICAL STEEL

316L surgical steel is one of the most common materials used for body piercing in the United States and is considered implant grade. It is a man-made material that is made by mixing iron with other metals to achieve greater strength. The alloying process involves melting various metals together, to produce a "new" metal. Depending on the specific recipe used, each variety of steel gets a grade designation. It is a strong and durable metal that is very easy to clean, which is important for body piercings - especially new ones. It is also corrosion-resistant, so it won’t rust or tarnish. Polishing the steel to a mirror finish results in a protective layer of chromium oxide that helps keep the nickel content trapped inside. There is a risk for people with extreme nickel allergies, in which case, titanium should be used.

The number 316 has to do with the recipe of metals used when creating the steel.316L surgical steel is a very high grade of steel. The L designation means that the steel is of a "low carbon" variety, which is also very low in nickel content, making it a safe choice for people with nickel allergies. There are many different grades of surgical steel, but the only body-friendly grades are 316L and 316LVM surgical steel.

925 STERLING SILVER NOSE JEWELRY

925 sterling silver is a very soft metal. It tarnishes easily, and is difficult to clean, so it should not be used for long periods of time. However, to form sterling silver charms and designs on the jewelry it is a desirable metal. 925 sterling silver should never be used for a fresh piercing. It is most found in nose jewelry.

ACRYLIC/LUCITE

Acrylic body jewelry is a lightweight and flexible material that many find comfortable. Most of our acrylic jewelry is ultraviolet light reactive or glows in the dark. Acrylic is a colorful option that many piercing enthusiasts enjoy wearing - in healed piercings only. It should never be used to stretch, or in newly stretched piercings. It is important to know that acrylic cannot be autoclaved, nor can it be boiled or left in heat and direct sunlight. It can, however, be washed with antibacterial soap and warm water. Cleaning acrylic with chemicals like alcohol or other chemicals will ruin the jewelry.

BIO-PIERCE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

It is one of the most biocompatible materials available and it is recommended for people with metal allergies or particularly sensitive skin. Bio-pierce is biocompatible and safe, as well as flexible and can be cut to any length - as well as worn with metal ball ends or tops. There is no nickel in Bio-pierce, which can be sterilized (autoclaved) and is an excellent choice for people who have metal allergies.

The Tradition of Bone and Horn

Bone and horn are relatively lightweight and can be easily carved into a variety of shapes for a natural look. Both have a very smooth surface. They usually come in natural shades of white and black. Bone and horn are sourced from deceased animals whereas no animals were killed for their byproduct - so they are an eco-friendly option. The bone and horn are polished and carved to ensure they are safe to wear, though they should not be used for stretching or new piercings, but because they absorb moisture, they help eliminate any smell from stretched piercings. They should not be worn in the shower or when swimming for the same reason.

ORGANICS

Organic body jewelry is made from various natural materials like water buffalo horn, water buffalo bone and different kinds of wood. Organic materials were used historically by many cultures, throughout the long history of piercing and body modification.

Natural materials are not suitable for unhealed piercings or for wear while stretching existing ones. They are sensitive to changes in heat and humidity. Thus autoclaving, use in saunas or hot display cases (light) is not recommended.

Natural materials can absorb oils and sweat from the skin and therefore reduce odors.

GLASS

Glass is an excellent material for body jewelry. It is bio-compatible, so therefore, it is 100% hypo-allergenic. Glass may be sterilized in a steam-autoclave, but heat may cause cracking in cheaper glass products. Glass is one of the best things you can use to stretch a piercing or wear newly stretched piercings. Be careful not to break if dropped, as glass is a fragile substance.

PYREX

Borosilicate Glass, which is commonly known as Pyrex, is commonly used in glassware. This type of glass can withstand much more stress than ordinary glass and should it break, it tends to crack instead of shattering dangerously. This comes in a huge variety of colors and designs. It also can be autoclaved and is a suitable choice for fresh piercings.

Quartz

Quartz (Silicone Dioxide) is one of the most common minerals found on the earth's surface. It is 99.98% Pure silica (SiO2) and is made from the purest sand on earth.

Quartz has a unique hexagonal structure, and it is corrosion resistant. Like Borosilicate glass, Quartz can endure different temperatures well. Quartz is often used to make retainers, which are used to disguise piercings when one needs or wants to. Quartz glass is like Pyrex with a few differences. It is stronger, it has a higher melting temperature, it has a higher resistance to thermal cracking, it refracts light better. Quartz is only available in a clear color and cannot be easily forced to bend, without breaking the piece of jewelry. It is not recommended for sports activities. Because it is 100% Hypoallergenic, quartz jewelry can be autoclaved.

To care for quartz jewelry, simply wash with antibacterial soap and warm water before inserting it into a piercing. Be careful not to drop it on the floor or on a hard surface, as it is a type of glass.

Titanium (Ti-6AL-4V-ELI)

Our titanium (Ti-6AL-4V-ELI) is ASTM F136 compliant and is a metal that is nearly 100% hypoallergenic. It can be worn by people who are sensitive to other metals without issue, almost all the time - this is why many piercers favor titanium for fresh piercings. Titanium is stronger than steel, but approximately 45% lighter. The thickness of the layer determines the resulting color. Titanium can be sterilized in an autoclave. As stated, titanium is ideal for customers who are sensitive or even allergic to other metals. It will not oxidize, corrode, react to sunlight, or rust under normal use. It can also be left in piercings long-term.

Those with hypersensitivity to different metals, such as nickel, should use titanium instead of surgical steel. It is also an ideal choice to have a piercer change the jewelry if a body is having trouble healing a piercing done with surgical steel.

Additionally, titanium can also be used in a process called anodization, which enables the piercer to create a wide variety of surface colors such bright pink, bright purple and even a rainbow mix. Anodizing is a process where the jewelry is submerged in an electrolyte solution before voltage is applied, creating layers of colors. The thickness of the layer determines the color of the finished jewelry.

WOOD

Wood jewelry is lightweight, natural, and comes in a variety of types/colors. the surface is sanded/polished very smooth, it should be comfortable to wear. It is porous and does absorb moisture from the skin so keeping it oiled with natural oils (jojoba, vitamin E) will help - and prevent the wood from cracking or splintering. It is also important to keep wood jewelry from getting wet (such as in a shower, or when swimming). Wood jewelry cannot be sterilized or autoclaved.

Popular types of wood are as follows:

Carbon Wood: "Arang kayo" translates to Charcoal wood or Carbon wood depending on what parts of Indonesia you're in. This naturally black wood or two tone black and brown wood is a difficult wood to come by and takes years for farmers to grow. The Carbon wood that we use for our organic jewelry is recycled and handmade by craftsmen in Indonesia.

Crocodile Wood: This subtle, light-colored wood is easy to carve due to its medium hardness, creating amazing organic jewelry, resulting in an amazingly smooth finish. The name "Crocodile Wood" comes from the tooth-shaped, knobby protrusions on the trunk of the tree, replicating the armor of a crocodile. Crocodile wood grows natively in subtropical areas all over the world. We only use cultivated Crocodile wood for our organic jewelry collection.

Sawo Wood: Commonly known as "saba wood", Sawo wood is a reddish/orange, easy to carve wood that comes from South America and is being cultivated in Southeast Asia. Its softness makes it easy to carve delicate, yet intricate designs- creating stunning organic jewelry products.

Teak Wood: The wood in Indonesia known as "Amboyna", is commonly called Teak Wood or Burmese Teak. It is a gold/purplish, rose-scented, termite resistant, hard wood. Teak wood is easy to work with and has straight grain, though it can occasionally be wavy or interlocked. Teak has been considered by many to be the gold standard and it has grown into a worldwide favorite, due to its superb stability and outstanding resistance to decay and rot.

Narra Wood: Narra wood has the same strengths and durability as the world-famous Ebony wood but is not endangered as Ebony. Narra wood, on the other hand, is cultivated in many parts of Indonesia. It's wide variety of colors, including a dark chocolate brown, exquisite dark brown and black with a black matte finish are all handcrafted and made into an assortment of organic jewelry. This wood is lead and toxic free, making it easy and safe to wear.

Olive Wood: This is one of our most popular types of wood, one of the most suitable woods for piercing jewelry. Olive wood has a very fine, smooth texture to it and is a light creamy-beige color with black grains weaving through it. Olive wood also has a very distinctive, yet pleasant smell. The odor projects a recognizable odor, making it easy to detect. Another great characteristic of this wood has natural oils in it, that keeps it from drying out and makes it easier to carve and shape without any additional lubricants. This is just about as good as it gets as a material to use for organic jewelry.

BLACK PVD STEEL

Black PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) involves a coating applied onto SS316L body jewelry. To create the black look, the jewelry is placed in a heated, high vacuum chamber, where electric voltage is applied. This process creates gases that produce ions, which are bonded to the jewelry. When the process is completed, the jewelry will have a hard layer that is both biocompatible and can be autoclaved. Black steel PVD should only be worn in fully healed piercings. The finish can come in either high polish or matte.

GOLD PVD

Genuine 24K gold is used as a coating on jewelry using the PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) process- which places it onto SS316L body jewelry. To create the gold look, the jewelry is placed in a heated, high vacuum chamber, where electric voltage is applied. When the process is completed, the jewelry will have a hard layer that is both biocompatible and can be autoclaved. Gold PVD should only be worn in fully healed piercings.

ROSE GOLD PVD

Genuine rose gold alloy is bonded onto SS316L body jewelry. To create a rose gold alloy look, the jewelry is placed in a heated, high vacuum chamber, where electric voltage is applied. This process creates gases that produce ions, which are bonded to the jewelry. When the process is completed, the jewelry will have a hard layer that is both biocompatible and can be autoclaved. Rose gold PVD should only be worn in fully healed piercings.

COLORLINE PVD

PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) is used to create a myriad of colored jewelry, including rainbow, purple, blue, green, and pink. A coating is bonded onto SS316L body jewelry, and the jewelry is placed in a heated, high vacuum chamber, where different voltages of electricity are applied to achieve the color desired. This process creates gasses that produce colored ions, which are bonded to the jewelry. The completed jewelry will have a hard layer that is both biocompatible and can be autoclaved.

BRASS

Brass is used for its darker, yet gold-like appearance and is popular in piercings for its tribal look. Brass piercing jewelry is used by nature tribes all around the world.

We use a brass alloy from copper, zinc and silver which is free of any toxic elements such as nickel, lead, and cadmium. We do not recommend brass for initial piercings and brass may cause irritation for some people.

STONE

Stone jewelry comes in a variety of colors and the weight varies depending on what type of stone is used. It should only be worn in healed piercings, as it cannot be sterilized. Just use a mild soap and warm water to clean the jewelry, being careful not to drop it, as stone is fragile. It is most commonly used for plugs.

SILICONE

Implant grade silicone is entirely safe for body piercing and is an excellent choice for people who are sensitive or allergic to metals typically found in many types of jewelry (titanium excepted). It should be washed with antibacterial soap and warm water before being inserted into any piercing. Never use harsh chemicals such as alcohol or peroxide to clean jewelry.

It is advisable to use lubricant before inserting or removing silicone eyelets and plugs. This helps prevent tearing. It is important to note that silicone is not recommended for stretching piercings. Silicone is favored by many pierced people because it is soft, comfortable, and available in a variety of colors.