Navigating Jewellery Choices: Fashion vs. Piercing Jewellery in 2023

Jewellery is an integral part of human culture and has been for thousands of years. Nowadays, there is an abundance of jewellery to choose from, with two categories standing out: fashion jewellery and piercing jewellery.

Although these might seem similar at first, there are significant differences that impact factors such as style, comfort, and safety.

Fashion jewellery is created to be both budget-friendly and fashionable, allowing for effortless coordination with a variety of outfits and events. It tends to be made from materials such as glass, plastic, or base metals, making it easily accessible. Fashion jewellery often features bright colours, bold patterns, and intricate designs.

In contrast, piercing jewellery is crafted to be worn within the piercing hole consistently and is made of high-quality materials such as surgical steel, titanium, or gold to ensure its safety for the wearer's body.

So why is this distinction so important? Well, selecting the right jewellery for your piercing is crucial. It is important for piercing jewellery to not only be compatible with the surrounding skin but also align with your lifestyle and personal style.

Piercing jewellery is designed specifically for use in piercings, ensuring that it is safe to wear. Conversely, fashion jewellery isn't created for piercings and can be worn as necklaces, rings, bangles, or bracelets in materials that don't go into the piercing hole. As piercing jewellery goes inside the body, it needs to be comfortable and made of safer materials, whereas fashion jewellery is made for decorative purposes. It is imperative for our customers to comprehend the distinction.

Some of the popular materials used for fashion jewellery include:

• Plastic: This versatile material is often used for playful items like earrings, necklaces, and bangles. It is inexpensive, lightweight, and easily shaped into different shapes and sizes.
• Glass: Glass is another common material used for creating decorative beads and pendants. It comes in various finishes and colours, ranging from faceted to moulded shapes.
• Base Metals: Fashion jewellery uses materials such as copper, nickel, and brass because they are durable and affordable. These metals can also be plated with other finishes like silver or gold, leading to various styles and designs.

Piercing jewellery is made from different materials that include:

• Surgical Steel: Known for its durability and biocompatibility, surgical steel is often used for initial piercings because of its corrosion resistance.
• Titanium: Highly regarded for its hypoallergenic properties and resistance to corrosion, titanium is a preferred material for sensitive piercings.
• Gold: It is a luxurious, durable, and hypoallergenic metal often used in high-end piercing jewellery. It can be alloyed with other metals for different colours and finishes.
• Bioplast: This versatile material is biocompatible and flexible, making it ideal for oral piercings and other sensitive areas. It is hypoallergenic, lightweight, and can be sterilised, ensuring safe and secure usage.

Fashion jewellery types include necklaces, bracelets, earrings, body chains, rings and anklets; on the other hand, piercing jewellery types include barbells, captive bead rings, circular barbells, labret studs, nose rings, plugs and tunnels.

When assessing the durability and comfort of jewellery, materials and product quality play a crucial role. For example, gold, silver, and platinum can be durable when used in fashion jewellery, while materials like plastic or wood wear down more quickly.

Moreover, some fashion jewellery might not be suitable for extended wear, while the size or weight creates discomfort or irritation. For piercing jewellery, selecting high-quality materials that are safe for your skin is vital. Due to their hypoallergenic properties and long-lasting ability, surgical-grade stainless steel, titanium, and gold are commonly advised materials.

In conclusion, choosing the right jewellery material and product can be critical to ensure comfort, durability, and safety. Choosing high-quality, safe materials and adhering to proper care instructions is crucial. Whether you choose fashion or piercing jewellery, if you take good care of it, you can wear your jewellery comfortably and stylishly for years to come!