If a necklace or piercing ever made you itch, the culprit was likely nickel, lead or mystery plating. Sticking to metals certified for medical implants ends that drama and helps new piercings heal faster. Here’s the cheat-sheet.
Top tier, worry-free
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Titanium (ASTM F-136 / F-67) Implant-grade, ultralight, virtually nickel-free, autoclave-safe, and anodises into rainbow hues—gold standard for fresh piercings.
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Niobium Pure element, naturally hypoallergenic, takes vivid colours, perfect for statement pieces.
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14 k + gold & platinum Choose alloys that are nickel- and cadmium-free for off-the-charts biocompatibility.
Safe when specified
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Surgical stainless steel (316L/LVM, ASTM F-138) Tough and budget-friendly; meets EU nickel limits, but trace nickel can still bother ultra-sensitive skin.
Proceed with caution
Sterling silver, brass, or mystery-plated pieces tarnish, leach metals or chip—best for very short wear on fully healed skin.
How to read specs
Look for clear standards—ASTM F-136, F-138, ISO 5832-1—or the phrase APP-compliant. Anything like "surgical-steel-like" is a red flag.
Care basics
Wash gently with fragrance-free soap, dry completely, store in a fabric pouch, and skip harsh cleaners that can pit coloured anodising.
Shop smart on SpiceRack
Every item tagged Body-Safe in our filters meets the standards above. Need help? Launch our Metal-Matcher Quiz; we’ll pre-filter the grid and surface cleaners to keep your new shine flawless.
Tip: If you’ve ever failed a nickel patch test, start with titanium—your skin will thank you.
Ready to sparkle without the itch?
