Hypoallergenic earwires

Jewelry Discussion
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There isn’t much in the archives lately on this subject. I have a customer who needs non-reactive or hypoallergenic earwires. I have both niobium and titanium wire. I don’t have any stainless steel wire. Does it make sense to offer niobium or titanium as a substitute? Thanks…Rob

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Most stainless contain Nickel, Chromium or both.
As far as I know Titanium is one of few metals that have no reaction in the body together with Platinum and Palladium.

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Another thing to notice is that hypoallergenic do not indicate, nor say that it is allergy,
free just less prone to cause allergies.
One site stressed that they used the term bio compatible in stead for allergen free products.

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Thanks! I discovered that I have a package of 100 titanium ear wires. I also have a lot of titanium and niobium wire, so I guess that this proble is solved. Thanks again…Rob

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Will you weld the titanium to the earring?

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No, stand alone earwires…Rob

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I’m not a scientist, but aren’t surgical grade stainless steel ear wires fine to use? There’s lots of stainless alloys for different industrial applications, but surgical grade stainless steel is supposed to be hypoallergenic.

Jeff

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Titanium and Niobium are both hypoallergenic to even the most sensitive wearers so they are both good choices. We carry a full line of titanium and niobium earring wires, posts and clutches to keep peoples ears happy!

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I have both niobium and titanium wire that I purchased from you (RM) and titanium ear wires that I purchased somewhere else, probably Rio. I will see what my customer would like. Thanks…Rob

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Argentium claims to be hypoallergenic.

Bernie

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I wonder about that since it still contains 6% copper.

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The Germanium in the alloy creates an oxide that creates a hypoallergenic surface and is why it is pretty much tarnish resistant. Neither the copper or silver is on the surface.
Judy H

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Ebaldinger, copper is not an allergen. What it does that people do not like is turns the skin green with prolonged wearing. It is reactive if exposed to acid, but not to the human skin. Think of all the people in the world who drink whiskey. Are they allergic to whiskey? Copper piping has been used in many industries and water supplies for a very long time. Copper pipes get replaced because over time they do deteriorate. Don’t worry about the copper content, worry about nickel and other metals that are added.

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Thanks to both of you for setting me straight!

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She took the titanium. I will have to buy some argentum and make wires out of it…Rob

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Somewhere between 17% and 27% of women in the US are allergic to nickel. Some sterling silver does contain nickel in addition to copper. It is the nickel that people usually are allergic to. I became allergic to the nickel in the back of my Apple Watch.
Now I have a fully stainless steel Apple Watch.

I work entirely in Argentium for jewelry. If I have a client who claims to be allergic to sterling silver, I always tell them they can return the earrings for a full refund. No one ever has.

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