Materials
TITANIUM 6AL-4V-ELI, ASTM F-13
Titanium, which we use for our own fleXternal production, is ideal for initial use and healed piercings, as it is compliant with the EU Nickel Directive introduced in Europe in 2001. Because of its virtually 'Nickel Free' content Titanium has become one of the preferred materials used in piercing jewellery within the borders of the European Union.
Grade Ti6AL-4V, ASTM F-136 is the specification for the alloy to be used for surgical implants. It is available in Highly Polished or Anodised Colours.
Titanium is only half the weight of steel and twice as strong. Titanium can be sterilized in an autoclave.
fleXternal - TITANIUM 6AL-4V-ELI (ASTM F 136)
The unique titanium 6AL-4V-ELI (ASTM F 136), which we use for our fleXternal production, fulfils all the requirements of the piercing industry and is therefore ideal for initial use. It goes without saying that we can guarantee traceability through batches; material tests are carried out for each individual batch, for which precise protocols and certificates are available on request. FleXternal titanium can be anodised extremely well in every conceivable colour of the rainbow.
It is nickel-free and can therefore be used in accordance with the EU Nickel Directive, which was introduced in 2001.
The fleXternal titanium has been proven to meet all APP requirements for titanium piercing jewellery.
SURGICAL STEEL 316L
SS316L is a surgical implant grade, which is the most used material for Body Jewellery. The two most common standards that apply to body jewellery made of steel are ASTM F138 and ISO 5832-1 which describe the quality of steel for surgical implants.
The element in stainless steel that very rarely causes allergic reactions to some people is nickel. Polishing the jewellery to a mirror like lustre results in a protective layer of chromium oxide, which reduces the release of the Nickel content into the tissue. Surgical Steel can be sterilized in an autoclave.
GOLD
Gold is considered as one of the most precious metals in the world and is appropriate for initial piercings if it is 14k or 18k. Gold higher than 18k is too soft for body jewellery because it can easily be scratched.
G - stands for 18 karat (750 Gold) yellow gold.
RG - stands for 18 karat (750 Gold) rose gold.
WG - stands for 18 karat (750 Gold) white gold, which is rhodium plated.
We mark all our solid items with 750 (for 18 karat). On small items you might need to use a jeweller loupe to be able to see the tiny laser marking. Additionally, we also mark our Swiss Responsibility Mark ("Verantwortlichkeitsmarke"), which guarantees the gold contet of our products.
What if your real gold items get tarnished
Tarnish is a thin layer of corrosion on metals resulting from a reaction to moisture, air, or chemical compounds on its surface. This will appear as a dark discolouration to your jewellery. We use an 18 karat gold alloy containing other metals which can tarnish (pure 24k Gold will not tarnish but it is too soft to be used for Body Jewellery).
Usually it is easy to remove the tarnish from solid gold pieces by using a widely available silver polishing cloth, which is impregnated with an anti-tarnishing agent. Simply rub the cloth on the piece of jewellery and you’ll see the tarnish begin to disappear. In cases of bad tarnishing, you can use a silver cleaner to wash the piece or search the web for additional methods and hacks.
GOLD PVD (BG)
18K or 24K real Gold is coated using a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) process.
During this process, the jewellery is placed in a heated chamber under a high vacuum. An electric voltage is applied, creating plasma within the chamber. Introduction of various gases leads to ion bombardment, which atomizes the cathode material (18K or 24K real gold) into tiny particles. These particles are then deposited onto the jewellery, resulting in a durable and biocompatible layer.
This gold coating provides both aesthetic appeal and durability. Additionally, it is safe for autoclaving, ensuring hygiene and longevity for our piercing jewellery.
Our surgical steel items are coated with 24K real gold, while our titanium and nickel free items are coated with 18K real gold.
BLACK PVD (BK)
Black PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) is a thin, abrasion-resistant coating on jewellery made of titanium and surgical steel.
ZIRCONIA-GOLD PVD (BZ)
Zirconium PVD gold (Physical Vapour Deposition) is a thin, abrasion-resistant coating on jewellery made of titanium and surgical steel. The coating has a very subtle effect here.
ROSE GOLD PVD (RG)
Rose PVD Gold (Physical Vapour Deposition) is a thin, abrasion-resistant coating on jewellery made of titanium and surgical steel.
Bioplast ®
Bioplast ® is biocompatible, i.e. it is fully tolerated by the body's own tissue. Bioplast ® is flexible and adapts to body contours. Bioplast ® can be shortened to any desired length. In addition, a thread can be created through any steel or titanium ball by simply screwing it on. Bioplast is also available as a separate plug-in system, not compatible with other push pin systems from other manufacturers.
Bioplast ® causes less swelling and inflammation during the healing process of a piercing than titanium, for example. Bioplast ® shortens the healing process compared to other materials. Allergic reactions to Bioplast ® are currently unknown.
Bioplast ® is available in many trendy colours and can be combined with surgical steel, titanium, silver or gold.
Bioplast ® is a suitable material for the initial use of body jewellery and is considered suitable for new piercings by the APP (see also www.bioplast.com). However, care should be taken to ensure that it is changed from time to time, as wear and tear can occur on the material depending on how the customer uses it.
NICKELFREE / COBALT CHROMIUM ALLOY (CoCr NF)
Cobalt Chromium Alloys possess high corrosion resistance and amazing strength. It is very hard to break, bend, deform or even scratch. For these characteristics, it is the perfect material for tiny items like Hinged Clickers and others.
At the same time, it has an appealing white colour and shine that resembles precious metals like White Gold, Rhodium or Platinum. All this without plating or coating. Even titanium with its high image in the Piercing Industry, can't compete in colour.
It is widely used in the dental industry and for medical implants, like knee and hip joints.
The alloy we use is Nickel, Cadmium and Lead free, which makes it REACH compliant.
With a smooth and shiny surface, the price is higher than Surgical Steel but lower than Titanium.
EO STERILIZATION
E.O. (Ethylene Oxide) Gas sterilization has a high sterility assurance level and penetrates very well. Piercing Jewellery sterilized with E.0. will stay sterile for at least 5 years when kept away from light.
We clean and QC every item before the sterilization process. Piercings are packaged unassembled as it assures the sterilization of the threading as well.
SILVER
Sterling Silver does not require much explanation. We use 925 Sterling silver. Most of our items are rhodium plated, which protects the silver from tarnish and makes it shinier.
ORGANICS
Organic body jewellery is made from various natural materials like water buffalo horn, water buffalo bone and different kinds of wood. Organic materials were used historically by many cultures.
Natural materials are not suitable for unhealed piercings or for wear while stretching existing ones. They are sensitive to changes in heat and humidity. Thus autoclaving, use in saunas or hot display cases (light) is not recommended.
Natural materials can absorb oils and sweat from the skin and therefore reduce odors.
PYREX GLASS BY GLASSWEAR STUDIOS
Medical grade Pyrex (borosilicate) is completely non-porous. It is completely hypoallergenic, lead and barium free. It is an extremely strong glass. It maintains a comfortable temperature even in extreme weather conditions and will not freeze or crack on the ear.
SILICONE BY STEVE HAWORTH
This silicone can be autoclaved (with the exception of the magnet).
BRASS
Brass is used for its bright gold-like appearance and is popular in piercings for its tribal look. Brass Piercings are used by nature tribes all around the world. We use a brass alloy from copper, zinc and silver which is free of any toxic elements such as nickel, lead and cadmium. We do not recommend brass for initial piercings, and they may cause irritation for some people.
PREMIUM ZIRCONIA
The stones we use under this name are CUBIC ZIRCONIA cut and polished to perfection. They have all the characteristics of a real diamond with its exceptional cut and sheer brilliance. All stones for our Piercings are set by hand and items are polished by hand.
Cubic Zirconia material is relatively cheap and the biggest aspect of the price difference to regular Zirconia lies in the extra cutting and polishing effort and machinery used to make those Premium quality Zirconias. The more precise the facets are cut, the better the light reflects (sparkle).
The previously long-standing and well-known supplier of cubic zirconia and crystals no longer allows the use of its own name, and so our supplier also had to look for alternatives for body jewellery production.
Our supplier has found the best alternatives that do not compromise the quality of the jewellery and can even offer added value in comparison, without focusing on the branding of the stone, but rather on the overall quality of the jewellery and the art of adorning the ear and body.
Please take the opportunity to strengthen confidence in craftsmanship and in the quality and artistry of design.
Additional information on Zirconia: As mentioned above, Zirconia is currently the most popular substitute for a diamond as they look identical to the untrained eye. Zirconia, or CZ as it is known, is made of zirconium dioxide, a different material to diamonds, which although it has a different chemical composition to any other jewel, matches the properties of a diamond. Natural CZ was first discovered in 1899, but it was not until the late 1970s that CZ was produced by humans for jewellery purposes. CZ at first impression looks like a diamond, but under close observation there are differences, it has a gravity between 5.6 and 6.0, which means it is 1.6 times that of a diamond. It has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, a refractive index of 2.176 and a dispersive force of 0.060 which means it is not as hard as a diamond, it is slightly less sparkly. Another point to note is that natural diamonds have impurities that the CZ does not have, but is also colourless, which most diamonds are not, but they can be coloured by adding metal oxides in the production process. Unlike diamonds, CZ are good thermal insulators, which means they get warm but can't withstand the same kind of heat that a diamond can, which is a test used to differentiate diamonds from CZ. Care for CZ is important because they are more brittle than diamonds and susceptible to wear and tear such as chipping and scratching over time.
PREMIUM CRYSTALS
Crystals are man-made. Crystal glass, made from quartz, sand and minerals, is cut like a gemstone. As with Premium Zirconia, Premium Crystals indicate the higher precision of the cutting process which leads to a higher price compared to other crystals in the market.
As the light doesn't break and reflect (sparkle) in the same way as in Gemstones or Zirconias, Crystals have a foil in the back to reflect the light (mirror effect). Crystal's biggest advantages are the variety of shapes and colors. The foiled back enables the flat shape of crystals which make relatively low size attachments possible. On the other hand, the foiling of the crystals can turn into greenish color from residues like shampoo, shaving foam, toothpaste or similar products.
SAPPHIRES
Few gems have held our attention over millennia as well as sapphire. The pure blue colors and excellent durability of this gem-quality member of the corundum family make for an exceptional gemstone. However, not all sapphires are blue. The September birthstone comes in every color of the rainbow. Except red.
Long associated with royalty, sapphires are some of the most popular (and expensive) gems in the world.
PINK SAPPHIRE
After blue, pink is the most highly valued sapphire color. As Sapphires and also Rubies are simply a variety of Corundum, the pink is the boundary line between rubies and sapphires since pink is commonly considered a light tone of red. It is more common today to call them Pink Sapphires instead of Pink Rubies.
SONGEA SAPPHIRE
Songea Sapphires are named after a location Songea in Tanzania, which is the place of the origin of this gemstone. The sapphires found here are generally in the shades of yellow, orange and red.
SYNTHETIC SAPPHIRE
Synthetic Sapphire, also known as synthetic corundum, is primarily composed of aluminum oxide. With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, it is one of the hardest materials available, second only to diamonds. While the chemical composition of natural and synthetic sapphires is the same, the controlled production process of synthetic sapphires ensures more uniform and potentially higher-quality crystals.
LAB CREATED DIAMOND
Lab Created Diamonds are 100% diamonds. The only difference is that the origin is a laboratory and not the Earth. Lab Created Diamonds are identical to mined diamonds possessing the same chemical composition, hardness, brilliance and fire – just as a greenhouse-grown orchid is identical to one found in nature.
Lab Created Diamonds are less expensive if compared to mined Diamonds. Moreover, they are a responsible and environmentally friendly choice, which is another great selling point.
You can tell that it is a Lab Created Diamond by the ‘CD’ stamp on the real gold top itself.
CITRIN
As the yellow to reddish orange variety of quartz, this gem is available in many sizes and is a durable choice for any jewelry setting. The rise of “earth tone” fashions have made this readily available gem a popular jewelry stone in recent years.
Citrine’s affordable autumn hues make it a great option for trendy jewelry. Recently declared a November birthstone alternative to topaz, this stone is becoming even more popular.
LAB CREATED OPALS
Lab Created Opal (GIA: Polymer Impregnated synthetic opal) is impregnated in the laboratory in around a year and has similar properties as that of natural opal. The main difference with natural opal is that the naturally occurring process has been sped up in the laboratory.
TOPAZ
The traditional November birthstone, Topaz is a popular gem. Although frequently associated with golden yellow as well as blue, it can be found in a variety of colors, including colorless. The rarest are natural pink, red, and fine golden orange, sometimes with a pink tone.
Naturally occurring blue topaz is quite rare. Typically, colorless, gray, or pale yellow and blue material is heat treated and irradiated to produce a more desired darker blue.
REACH
The European Regulation for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) aims to ensure that the risks resulting from the use of substances that may have serious and often irreversible effects on human health are controlled and that the substances are replaced where possible.
We ensure to our customers that our products comply with legal requirements and quality expectations. The certificate of compliance contains all product groups from our assortment being compliant with the REACH regulation 1907/2006/EC.
Click here for the certificate: REACH certificate