Bellypiercing out of Surgical Steel 316L and Silver 925 with Enamel. Thread:1,6mm. Bar length:11mm. Width:3mm.

Surgical steel 316L, originally used in medical implants (e.g. artificial joints), has now become the most important material for piercings. It is characterized by its extremely shiny surface with practically no uneven traces. Surgical steel is also very scratch-resistant.However, it is not advisable to use surgical steel for first-time piercings since its nickel component as part of the alloy may become active when in contact with the sore salt of a newly pierced skin (we recommend to use Titanium G23 or Bioplast instead). Surgical steel can be worn without any trouble once the piercing hole is healed because Nickel cannot be absorbed by the body anymore. Allergies to surgical steel 316L are rare.

Enamel is a silicate glass mass made out of quartz sand, potash, natron and chalk. This mass is used as glaze on metals and ceramic surfaces and is fuzed at a very high temperature. Colours, level of transparency and surface gloss can vary depending on the additives used. This is why enamel jewels may be opaque or transparent. It is impossible to see the metal surface on opaque enamels. On transparent enamels, on the other hand, the metal under the enamel glaze is visible.

Silver 925, also known as Sterling Silver, contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Pure silver is not used in jewelry making, as it is too soft. Silver has a seductive look with its warm color-temperature and has been used in jewelry making since ancient times. The disadvantage of silver is: It can react to sulfur in the air (depending on air quality and skin type). This is commonly known as ´tarnishing´ or ´oxidation´. The best way to remove these dark spots is the following: polishing cloth boil water in a pan and add some salt and a piece of uncoated aluminium foil. Then put your piece of jewel into the pan and "pickle" it wait for a while. Effective are also polish products especially made for silver-cleaning.