Shopping for earrings used to be easy. You
chose either yellow gold, silver, white gold with a diamond or colored
gemstone. Now it seems that so many women and girls have allergic reactions to earring
metal, it’s gotten a lot more complicated. According to Dermatitis
Journal – 4.3% of total cases were reported between the 1960s and 1990s,
31.3% between 2000 and 2009, and 64.3% were reported between 2010 and 2015.
This is the main reason why you should go
one step further to ensure you can wear or give as a gift, earrings that won’t
cause an allergic reaction to nickel or other metal. Buy nickel-free, “Medical
grade” earrings.
What Does “Medical Grade” Mean?
When you see the term “medical grade,” it
means that the material has been tested for bio-compatibility. Bio-compatibility implies
the content is biologically compatible. It will not react to living tissue. In
other words, it won’t give you a rash or allergic reaction.
The materials undergo testing that follows
the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) standards. The FDA enforces these
standards, and they are recognized in over 140 countries.
Another testing for medical grade earring
materials follows the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
guidelines, ISO 10993 or medical grade materials.
Any earrings that want the medical grade
title must pass a bio-compatibility test. Jewelry containing nickel can never be
medical grade.
Types of Medical Grade Materials for Earrings
Although the FDA does not have an approved
“list” of medical grade materials, here are the safe alternatives to buy when
selecting earrings:
- Titanium
- Plastic
- Stainless Steel – Grades 440
and 420 - Gold
When shopping
for hypoallergenic or nickel-free jewelry, you will see stainless steel listed
as medical grade. However, there are different alloys. Alloy 316 is a standard
metal in earrings and other jewelry. Unfortunately, it contains up to 11%
nickel and may cause allergies.
Gold plating
over a mixed base metal is another option. Look for gold 24k (pure) as the
plating for any parts that touch the skin.
To be sure your
jewelry is 100% nickel-free, buy one of these two excellent choices for
earrings, medical grade plastic, and titanium.
About Medical grade Plastic Earrings
Medical grade plastic has unique
characteristics that make it suitable for medical devices and perfect for
earrings. It is naturally corrosion resistant, easy to clean and sterilize,
temperature resistant, and does not harbor bacteria.
Medical grade plastic earrings are very
durable and so lightweight that you’ll forget you are wearing them.
Nickel-Free Medical grade Titanium Earrings
There are four commercially pure grades of
titanium. Grade 1 is the most maleable and the right choice for earring makers.
Titanium is corrosion resistant and extremely strong. It has a silver color
that polishes well. Its high strength means it will hold stones, pearls, and
diamonds securely.
Best Source for Medical grade Earrings
Not all hypoallergenic jewelry is skin
friendly. Hypoallergenic means there is a reduced chance of allergy. It does
not eliminate it because hypoallergenic jewelry may still contain enough nickel
to cause contact dermatitis.
Your best source for medical grade earrings
is Blomdahl USA. We are the leader in 100% nickel-free earrings, medical grade
plastic earrings, and medical grade titanium earrings. We use top designers to
fashion beautiful jewelry highlighted with Swarovski Crystals that make you
look and feel beautiful.
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