Materials

Materials you will find on TongueStud.com:

316LVM   ASTM F-138   Implant Grade Stainless Steel
The only stainless steels approved for implant use in the US are the designations 316L ASTM F-138 and 316LVM ASTM F-138. These are also the only two stainless steels approved by The Association of Professional Piercers. While the only difference between these two steels is the "VM" designation, the 316L rarely meets the ASTM F-138 standard for implant use. All of our stainless steel items are 316LVM ASTM F-138.

6AL4V ELI   ASTM F-136   Implant Grade Titanium
While Titanium is an elemental metal, its use in body jewelry is in an alloy form: 6AL4V ELI ASTM F-136. Titanium is about half the weight of stainless steel, remarkably strong, astonishingly biocompatible, and can be anodized into a stunning array of colors. While holding its color better than niobium, titanium is known to fade. Results will vary greatly depending on the jewelry's use and your body chemistry.

Niobium
Niobium is used for body jewelry in its pure elemental form. It is shiny, white, soft, ductile, and slightly heavier than stainless steel. Like titanium, niobium can be anodized to a rainbow of various colors. Unfortunately, these colors can and do fade to varying degrees, depending on where they are worn and your personal body chemistry. The most significant advantage to niobium is its ability to be blackened. Blackened niobium does not fade or chip.

14kt & 18kt Gold
Gold is a staple in traditional jewelry and is becoming more requested in body jewelry.

Borosilicate and Soda Lime Glass
Lead-free, heat and chemical resistant glasses. Glass has become quite popular for body jewelry items, and why not? It is both beautiful and hypoallergenic.

FDA Approved Acrylic
Acrylic make an inexpensive and stylish material for body piercing jewelry. Plugs, retainers, tapers, talons and much more can be made from Acrylic. Acrylic should be used in healed piercings.