---
url: https://www.star-piercing.ch/eng/Materials
type: blog
published: 2025-03-17T08:28:36+01:00
categories: Wiki Piercing, Wiki Jewelry
---

# Materials

> As there are many different materials for piercings and costume jewelry, we have created an overview of the different material properties...

![Materials](https://www.star-piercing.ch/media/image/news/22/xl/wiki_materialien_preview.jpg)

Different piercing materials and their properties:

**Titanium G23**

- **Material composition**Titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V ELI (titanium with 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium, Extra Low Interstitials)
- **Advantages**Highly biocompatible, hypoallergenic, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant. Nickel-free and well-tolerated.
- **Disadvantages**Higher price compared to surgical steel.
- **Suitability**Ideal for first-time piercings, very sensitive skin, and for everyday wear.

**Titanium ASTM F-136**

- **Material composition**Ti-6Al-4V ELI titanium alloy (equivalent to G23 titanium) in accordance with the ASTM F-136 Implant Standard
- **Advantages**High, certified purity; material quality that meets industry standards; maximally biocompatible; hypoallergenic; lightweight and corrosion-resistant. Complies with medical implant standards.
- **Disadvantages**Higher price compared to surgical steel.
- **Suitability**Ideal for first-time piercings, very sensitive skin, and for everyday wear.

**316L surgical steel**

- **Material composition**Iron (main component), chromium and nickel.
- **Advantages**Robust, cost-effective, widely used.
- **Disadvantages**Contains nickel, may cause allergies.
- **Suitability**Suitable for healed piercings, not for fresh ones.

**Brass**

- **Material composition**Alloy of copper and zinc.
- **Advantages**Malleable, cost-effective, gold-like appearance.
- **Disadvantages**Contains nickel, can cause allergies. Tends to oxidize as it reacts with moisture and oxygen (similar to sterling silver). This can result in a dark patina (discoloration) on the piercing jewelry.
- **Suitability**Suitable for healed piercings, not for fresh ones. More suitable as decorative piercing jewelry than for permanent piercing jewelry.

**Sterling silver 925**

- **Material composition**92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (mostly copper)
- **Advantages**Lighter than titanium or surgical steel, cheaper than 14k/18k gold, high-quality and shiny silver finish
- **Disadvantages**Contains nickel, can cause allergies. Tends to oxidize as it reacts with moisture, oxygen and sulphur. This can result in a dark patina (discoloration) on the piercing jewelry.
- **Suitability**Suitable for healed piercings, not for fresh ones.

**Gold (14K/18K)**

- **Material composition**Gold (main component), silver, copper and zinc.
- **Advantages**Noble material, durable, well tolerated.
- **Disadvantages**High-priced, should not be gold-plated (no gold-plated metal). Otherwise it may flake off.
- **Suitability**Safe for healed piercings, ideal for jewelry lovers.

**Bioflex / Bioplast**

- **Material composition**PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)
- **Advantages**Flexible, biocompatible, nickel-free, non-metallic (ideal for MRI/CT).
- **Disadvantages**May wear out or discolor more quickly.
- **Suitability**Good for sensitive skin, healing phases, tooth protection for tongue piercings, pregnancy piercings and medical applications.

**Acrylic**

- **Material composition**PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate)
- **Advantages**Lightweight, inexpensive, metal-free and nickel-free.
- **Disadvantages**May break on impact, not suitable for fresh piercings.
- **Suitability**Only for short wearing times or stretched piercings.

**Organic (wood, horn and stone)**

- **Material composition**Natural materials (wood, horn, stone)
- **Advantages**Natural, breathable, lightweight.
- **Disadvantages**Sensitive to moisture, cannot be sterilized.
- **Suitability**Only for healed, stretched piercings, not for fresh piercings.

**Conclusion**

Titanium or Bioflex are ideal for initial piercings. All other materials are suitable for healed piercings. The choice of the right material depends on compatibility, wearing comfort and personal style.

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Kanonische Seite: https://www.star-piercing.ch/eng/Materials
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