There are a variety of metals used for jewelry making, some are fantastic quality with very little risk of an allergic reaction occurring, but others are not recommended for regular wear!
Kiki Lee Studio works to source the highest quality materials for making jewelry that is not only gorgeous and fun, but also comfortable and safe! Read more about my metal preferences here!
Metal Allergies
What does Hypoallergenic Mean?
Well, for starters, this is kind of a deceptive term.
Hypoallergenic really just means "unlikely to cause a reaction." The term itself, however, carries no weight in the medical world, nor does it have any real regulations.
For instance, stainless steel is considered a hypoallergenic metal; however, there are many individuals who are sensitive to it!
#1 Metal Allergy
What's the deal with Nickel?
Nickel is a white metal that’s commonly used in alloys to add strength and color to other metals.
More than 18% of individuals are allergic to nickel, so when a metal is marked hypoallergenic, it is considered to be devoid of nickel and safe to wear. Because of this, many people use the words hypoallergenic and nickel-free interchangeably.
Grade 1 Titanium
What is the safest metal for piercing jewelry?
Though most people are going to answer this question with "Surgical Stainless Steel" that's actually not necessarily true.
Due to its name, people often think Surgical Stainless Steel (316L) is considered safe to be inside the body, however its actually just safe to be used within surgery (think tools, like a scalpel).
There are; however, 3 metals that are considered the safest to use; Titanium, Niobium, and Platinum. These three metals are strong and highly pure, and do not corrode or discolor easily.
Kiki Lee Studio uses Grade 1 Titanium for most styles.
Precious Metals
What about gold & silver?
Anything above 14k Gold is safe to wear for most people.
That being said, generally most gold and silver jewelry are actually another metal or alloy that is plated in the gold or silver. This exterior layer of plating can wear off or chip away easily in most cases, revealing whatever may be beneath.
Most plated jewelry does not use safe metals beneath the gold or silver, so this could cause an issue in the long run.
There is the option to go with gold or silver filled jewelry. Filled jewelry will definitely hold up much longer as that exterior layer is thicker. But this option tends to cost a lot more, making it not so budget friendly.
See what my jewelry is made of!
What does Kiki Lee Studio use?
For a vast majority of my styles, I use Grade 1 Titanium posts. This is a highly pure grade of Titanium in which less than 1% of the population has the potential to be allergic to!
For specialty style posts and hoops, I am currently using a variety of Surgical Stainless Steel, Stainless Steel, Silver Plating, and Gold Plating. There is a section tab under every listing detailing which material is used for each style of earring, but if your ever unsure just reach out!
I have personally tested all of the materials I use for comfort and longevity. For folks with extra sensitive skin, I recommend sticking to the Titanium Post styles, as they will give the best result.
As I continue to learn, grow, and find new material sources, I will work towards changing all of our materials to titanium or platinum!