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I want my navel pierced but I am allergic to copper and nickel

My 18th birthday is coming up and I have my heart set on getting a navel ring. The only problem is that I am allergic to nickel and copper. What kind of metal if any can I use to get my navel pierced.

Chauntae R.
student - Springdale, Maryland, USA
2004

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Surgical stainless steel is probably okay; titanium is probably okay.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2004

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Try 24K gold, but it MUST BE 24K. Expensive but "tres chic".

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2004

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Pure silver (or very high percentage .98 or so) would also work well, stop by a good jewelry store and see what they can do for you. Nickel and copper alergies are common enough that there are reasonable alternatives available, just be sure that you TRUST the people who you buy it off of.

Marc Banks
- Elizabeth City, North Carolina
2004

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2004

Just make sure you go to a reputable piercing studio and explain your allergies..it won't be a problem for them to get jewelry for you. Or you can locate the jewelry yourself. The vast majority of body piercing jewelry is 316L stainless...you should not have a problem with this material. Titanium body jewelry is usually CP or 6al4v...you won't have a problem with this jewelry either. Gold also works well. If you search around you can find any of the above for decent prices. For a 14guage(normal naval piercing size) CBR expect to pay about under $1 for 316l, $2 for titanium and $4-10 for gold. This is if you go straight to the jewelry dealers. If you go to a studio expect prices to be much higher.

Do a net search for "b rush apple" for a good supplier to start with.

and please make sure you keep the piercing clean...I've seen sooo many piercings go bad because the person doesn't care for it properly...then they end up with a nasty scar.

Jason Aube
- Flint, Michigan