Whether you’re new to earrings or a seasoned wearer, you may not be familiar with earring materials. Generally, people with no allergies don't notice the earring materials. They do not have strict requirements for materials.
But if itching or even swelling occurs, it may be because of an allergic reaction to the material. This is a matter of individual constitution. When choosing earrings, people with sensitive ears should opt for materials less likely to cause allergies.
What are the common earring materials available on the market? Which earring material is safer and more suitable for you? This guide will teach you how to choose high quality earrings that are right for you.
Plastic Earrings
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| Fashion Rating: | 🌟 |
| Safety Rating: | 🌟 🌟 |
| Suitable for: | People who are allergic to metals. |
| Pros: |
- Price friendly.
- Hypoallergenic.
- Invisible.
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| Cons: | - The quality of raw materials is difficult to guarantee. |
Unlike regular plastic, plastic earrings are typically made from medical-grade resin plastic. Resin plastic is a synthetic material known for its lightweight, softness, and hypoallergenic properties.
Individuals with sensitive skin who are allergic to conventional metal materials often opt for resin plastic earrings. However, poor-quality resin plastic can potentially be harmful to the body. Make sure to purchase resin plastic earrings through reliable channels.
Please remember that not to wear plastic earrings or studs in ear piercings that have not fully healed. This material easily adheres to the flesh around ear piercings.
Gold Plated / Silver Plated
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| Fashion Rating: | 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 |
| Safety Rating: | 🌟 🌟 |
| Suitable for: | People with non-sensitive skin. |
| Pros: |
- Price friendly.
- Many different styles.
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| Cons: | - The plating maybe easy to peeling, corrosion, or fading. |
Gold or silver plated refers to a thin layer of gold or silver plated on the surface of other alloys. Because of low material requirements, this type of material usually offers many style options. People who enjoy changing their earrings frequently can consider gold plated or silver plated earrings. If you don't have allergies, this is also a great choice because of its affordable price and wide variety of styles.
However, since it's a surface plating, it may wear off over time and reveal the original material. Once you notice that the paint on the earrings' pin is peeling off, you should stop using it. Exposure to raw materials can lead to allergic reactions.
Silver
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925 Sterling Silver
| Fashion Rating: | 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 |
| Safety Rating: | 🌟 🌟 🌟 |
| Suitable for: | Most people. |
| Pros: |
- High cost-effectiveness.
- Many different styles.
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| Cons: | - Silver tends to oxidize and turn black over time. |
925 sterling silver refers to a material containing 92.5% silver, with the rest being alloy elements, usually copper. This material is one of the most common jewelry materials, often seen marked as S925 on earrings' pin. Be cautious of extremely cheap 925 silver jewelry because it may not necessarily be genuine 925 silver.
If not stated otherwise, when a seller says earrings are S925 silver, they usually mean the pin, not the whole earring. S925 is suitable for most people as it's less likely to cause allergies. However, prolonged exposure to air and water can cause oxidation and blackening.
999 Sterling Silver (Pure Silver)
| Fashion Rating: | 🌟 🌟 🌟 |
| Safety Rating: | 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 |
| Suitable for: | Most people. |
| Pros: |
- High cost-effectiveness.
- Many different styles.
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| Cons: |
- Cheap ones are often counterfeit.
- Silver needles may be easy to deform.
- Prolonged use can cause oxidation and blackening.
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999 sterling silver refers to a material containing 99.9% silver and 0.01% trace impurities. Because of its high purity, the texture is relatively soft and prone to deformation.
Pure silver is more skin-friendly and less likely to cause allergic reactions, making it suitable for ear piercing care. If it oxidizes and turns black, you can use a silver polishing cloth to restore its brightness. When purchasing sterling silver jewelry, also pay attention to the price. If it is extremely cheap, it may not be genuine sterling silver.
Gold
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18k Gold
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| Safety Rating: | 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 |
| Suitable for: | Most people. |
| Pros: |
- Stable material.
- Less likely to cause adverse chemical reactions.
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| Cons: |
- Higher price.
- Prone to deformation.
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18k gold consists of 75% gold and 25% other precious metals such as platinum, nickel, silver, or palladium. There are different types of 18k gold, such as yellow, white, and rose gold. Compared to pure gold, 18k gold is harder, less prone to deformation, and has a brighter luster.
However, 18k gold jewelry does not retain its value. We do not recommend people concerned about jewelry depreciation to buy 18k gold.
24k Pure Gold
| Fashion Rating: | 🌟 🌟 🌟 |
| Safety Rating: | 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 |
| Suitable for: | Most people. |
| Pros: |
- Stable material.
- Less likely to cause adverse chemical reactions.
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| Cons: |
- Expensive.
- Prone to deformation.
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Theoretically, 24k gold is 100% pure gold, but because of current refining technology, it typically contains 99.9% gold. Pure gold jewelry is allergy-friendly but prone to deformation. Because of 24k pure gold is not suitable for making jewelry, it offers limited style choices. Additionally, most gold earrings' pin are thicker, which may not be ideal for small ear holes or first-time wearers.
Platinum
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| Fashion Rating: | 🌟 🌟 🌟 |
| Safety Rating: | 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 |
| Suitable for: | Most people. |
| Pros: |
- Stable material.
- Less likely to cause adverse chemical reactions.
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| Cons: |
- Expensive.
- Risk of buying counterfeit items.
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Platinum is a shiny, strong metal that is resistant to heat, acid, and corrosion. It is durable and white in color. Platinum earrings are less likely to bend compared to gold or silver earrings, even if worn while sleeping. Good hypoallergenic earrings material like platinum is suitable for sensitive ears and inflamed ear holes.
Titanium
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| Fashion Rating: | 🌟 🌟 |
| Safety Rating: | 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 |
| Suitable for: | People with non-sensitive skin. |
| Pros: |
- Fade-resistant.
- Less likely to cause allergies.
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| Cons: |
- Higher price.
- Limited style options.
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Titanium Steel
Titanium steel is a strong material made from a mix of steel and titanium. It is hard like steel but light like titanium. Titanium steel is safer than regular steel but not suitable for those allergic to alloy components.
Titanium Alloy
Titanium alloy is a lightweight and durable material with excellent strength and corrosion resistance. Titanium Alloy is a medical-grade material, skin-friendly, and less likely to cause allergic reactions. Titanium alloy earrings have smooth surfaces, ideal for new ear piercings. Although style choices are limited, it's the best hypoallergenic earring material for piercing recovery.
After getting your ears pierced, it's crucial to care for them properly, especially during the initial healing phase. Using antiseptic solutions like iodine is common to prevent infections. Titanium earrings are good for healing piercings because they don't rust when in contact with disinfectants, staying clean.
Once your piercings fully heal and if you're not prone to allergies, 925 sterling silver earrings provide the best value for money. If you're looking for a variety of stylish options, you can also consider gold or silver-plated earrings.
Lux Jewels sells many pretty earrings made from hypoallergenic materials like 925 sterling silver, gold-plated, or silver-plated. They are high quality and easy to mix and match with your daily clothes. Visit Lux jewels to discover the latest styles!
