The material of your nose jewellery isn't just about aesthetics—it's crucial for your health, comfort, and the longevity of your piercing. Choosing the wrong material can lead to allergic reactions, delayed healing, and chronic irritation. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about piercing-safe materials to help you make the best choice for your body.
Why Material Matters
When jewellery sits inside a healing or even a healed piercing, it's in constant contact with your body's internal tissues. Unlike wearing a necklace or bracelet where skin forms a barrier, piercing jewellery interfaces directly with living tissue. This means any impurities, reactive metals, or poor-quality alloys can cause significant problems.
The most common issue is nickel sensitivity. Nickel is present in many jewellery alloys because it's inexpensive and helps create harder, more durable pieces. However, it's also one of the most common contact allergens, with studies suggesting up to 15% of the population has some degree of nickel sensitivity.
Implant-Grade Titanium: The Gold Standard
If there's one material that every piercing professional recommends above all others, it's implant-grade titanium. This isn't regular titanium—it's specifically ASTM F136 certified, the same grade used for surgical implants and medical devices.
Benefits of Titanium
- 100% Nickel-Free: Contains no nickel whatsoever, making it safe for everyone including those with severe allergies.
- Extremely Lightweight: Significantly lighter than steel, reducing pressure on healing piercings.
- Biocompatible: Your body essentially ignores it, leading to faster, smoother healing.
- Durable: Resistant to corrosion and won't tarnish over time.
- Anodisable: Can be coloured through an electrical process that creates beautiful rainbow effects without coatings.
When shopping for titanium jewellery, look for "implant-grade" or "ASTM F136" specifications. Regular titanium or "titanium-plated" jewellery doesn't offer the same safety benefits.
Drawbacks of Titanium
- More expensive than surgical steel
- Cannot be soldered, limiting certain designs
- Anodised colours may fade over time with frequent handling
Surgical Stainless Steel: The Budget-Friendly Option
Surgical stainless steel, specifically 316L or 316LVM grade, is the most common material used in body piercing. It's affordable, widely available, and works well for many people.
Benefits of Surgical Steel
- Affordable: Significantly cheaper than titanium or gold.
- Durable: Very strong and resistant to scratching.
- Widely Available: Easy to find in virtually any piercing studio or jewellery shop.
- Polishes Well: Maintains a brilliant shine.
The Nickel Issue
The main drawback of surgical steel is that it contains nickel—typically around 8-12%. While the chromium content creates a protective oxide layer that supposedly prevents nickel from leaching into the skin, this doesn't work for everyone.
If you have known nickel sensitivity, or if you've experienced reactions to costume jewellery, belt buckles, or watch backs in the past, surgical steel may not be suitable for you, especially during healing.
Not all "stainless steel" jewellery is suitable for piercings. Only implant-grade 316L or 316LVM should be used. Generic stainless steel may contain higher nickel levels or other problematic alloys.
Solid Gold: The Premium Choice
Gold has been used in body jewellery for thousands of years, and for good reason. It's beautiful, biocompatible, and makes a statement. However, not all gold is created equal for piercing purposes.
Understanding Gold Purity
- 24K (Pure Gold): Too soft for jewellery; would bend and deform easily.
- 18K (75% Gold): Excellent for piercings. Durable enough for daily wear while maintaining high biocompatibility.
- 14K (58.5% Gold): The most common choice. Harder than 18K, very durable, and more affordable.
- 10K (41.7% Gold): Higher alloy content may cause reactions in sensitive individuals.
For piercing jewellery, 14K or 18K solid gold is recommended. The higher the karat, the softer and more biocompatible the piece, but also the more expensive.
Gold Colour Options
- Yellow Gold: The classic option, warm and traditional.
- White Gold: Typically contains nickel to create the white colour—check for nickel-free options alloyed with palladium instead.
- Rose Gold: Alloyed with copper, which some people may react to. Generally safe once healed.
Key Takeaway
Only use solid gold in piercings—never gold-plated or gold-filled jewellery. Plating can wear away, exposing base metals that may cause reactions.
Niobium: The Underrated Alternative
Niobium is perhaps the most underrated piercing material. It shares many properties with titanium but is even more hypoallergenic. It's an excellent choice for anyone who reacts to everything else.
Benefits of Niobium
- 100% Hypoallergenic: Contains no nickel or other common allergens.
- Anodisable: Can be coloured to beautiful shades of blue, purple, and other hues.
- Softer than Titanium: Easier to bend for custom fits.
- Extremely Biocompatible: Often recommended for people with metal sensitivities.
Drawbacks of Niobium
- Less common and harder to find than titanium or steel
- More expensive due to limited availability
- Softer material means it can scratch more easily
Materials to Avoid
Some materials should never be used in piercings, regardless of marketing claims:
Mystery Metals and Cheap Alloys
Bargain jewellery from markets, dollar stores, or unknown online sellers often contains unknown metal alloys. These may include lead, cadmium, or high nickel content—all of which can cause serious reactions.
Silver (Including Sterling Silver)
Despite its popularity in traditional jewellery, silver oxidises inside piercings, potentially causing permanent discolouration of the skin called argyria. It can also irritate healing piercings. Save silver for fully healed piercings and short-term wear only.
Gold-Plated or Gold-Filled
Plating and filling processes create thin gold layers over base metals. These layers wear away with friction, exposing the underlying metal which is usually nickel-containing alloys.
Acrylic and Low-Quality Plastics
While some plastics like PTFE and bioplast have their uses, cheap acrylic jewellery can harbour bacteria and leach chemicals. Only use plastics specifically designed for body piercing.
Choosing Based on Your Situation
For Healing Piercings
During healing, use only implant-grade titanium, niobium, or solid 14K/18K gold. Your body is most vulnerable during this phase, and any reaction will delay healing significantly.
For Sensitive Skin
If you have a history of metal reactions, stick with implant-grade titanium or niobium. These materials are your safest options.
For Healed Piercings
Once fully healed, you have more flexibility. High-quality surgical steel becomes an option for many people, and you can experiment with different materials to see what your body tolerates.
For Daily Wear
Consider durability alongside biocompatibility. Titanium and surgical steel are excellent for everyday jewellery that needs to withstand regular activities. Save softer materials like high-karat gold for special occasions.
Final Recommendations
When in doubt, choose implant-grade titanium. It's the safest, most universally tolerated material available. While it costs more than surgical steel, the investment pays off in faster healing, fewer complications, and long-term comfort.
Whatever material you choose, always purchase from reputable sources that can verify the quality and grade of their jewellery. Your piercing deserves quality materials that will keep it healthy for years to come.