What’s the Difference Between Piercing Jewellery and Regular Fashion Jewellery?
At first glance, piercing jewellery and regular fashion jewellery might look similar. Both come in countless designs, metals, and styles, and both can be used to enhance your personal look. But when it comes to safety and comfort—especially for body piercings—there are important differences between the two. Understanding these differences helps you choose jewellery that won’t just look good but will also protect your skin and piercings.
What is Piercing Jewellery?
Piercing jewellery is specifically designed for use in body piercings. It’s made from high-quality, biocompatible materials that are safe for the body, particularly during the healing process. Examples include surgical steel barbells, titanium labrets, and implant-grade nose studs. The focus is on durability, hypoallergenic properties, and comfort for everyday wear.
What is Regular Fashion Jewellery?
Fashion jewellery is created for style and affordability rather than medical safety. It includes everything from costume earrings to plated rings and necklaces. While fashion jewellery is a great way to accessorise, it’s not designed to be worn in fresh piercings, as it often contains alloys and coatings that can cause irritation or allergic reactions.
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Key Differences Between Piercing Jewellery and Fashion Jewellery
1. Materials
Piercing jewellery is made from safe metals such as titanium, surgical steel, and bioplast, all chosen for their hypoallergenic qualities. Regular fashion jewellery often contains nickel, brass, or copper, which can trigger allergies or skin irritation. For a reliable range of high-quality piercing jewellery, it’s important to choose options specifically designed for body piercings.
2. Purpose & Design
Piercing jewellery is designed with healing and long-term wear in mind. Smooth finishes, accurate sizing, and skin-safe materials make it suitable for sensitive piercings. Fashion jewellery, on the other hand, prioritises appearance and is not intended for use in healing piercings.
3. Safety Standards
Professional piercing jewellery is manufactured to meet strict safety standards, often used by licensed piercers. Fashion jewellery usually lacks the same level of testing, as it isn’t intended for use inside the body.
4. Longevity & Durability
Piercing jewellery is resistant to tarnishing, corrosion, and wear. Fashion jewellery may fade, peel, or tarnish quickly, particularly when exposed to water, sweat, or skincare products.
Risks of Using Fashion Jewellery in Piercings
Wearing regular fashion jewellery in piercings—especially new ones—can lead to problems such as:
- Nickel allergy or skin irritation.
- Higher risk of infection.
- Slower healing or rejection of the piercing.
- Jewellery breakage or coating flaking inside the piercing.
When to Choose Piercing Jewellery Over Fashion Jewellery
Piercing jewellery is always the better choice in the following situations:
- Fresh piercings – essential for safe healing.
- Sensitive skin – hypoallergenic materials reduce the chance of allergic reactions.
- Everyday wear – durable, comfortable, and safe for long-term use.
Fashion jewellery can be a fun addition once your piercing is fully healed, but it should never replace professional-grade jewellery for health and safety.
In Closing
The main differences between piercing jewellery and regular fashion jewellery come down to safety, materials, and purpose. Piercing jewellery is crafted to be biocompatible, durable, and comfortable for everyday wear, while fashion jewellery is designed purely for style. If you’re investing in a new piercing—or want to keep an existing one healthy—always opt for professional-grade piercing jewellery.
