Frequently Asked Questions

ASTM F136 Implant-Grade Titanium is the gold standard for initial piercings. It is completely nickel-free, fully biocompatible (the same alloy used in surgical implants), and will not cause allergic reactions. Titanium is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and can be anodized to various colors without coatings that could flake. We strongly recommend titanium for all initial piercings and the full healing period.

All three of our nickel-free materials are safe: ASTM F136 Titanium (0% nickel — the safest choice), 14K Yellow and Rose Gold (nickel-free by alloy composition), and 925 Sterling Silver (nickel-free, though not recommended for initial piercings or moist environments). Our white gold also uses palladium instead of nickel. We do not recommend ASTM F138 Surgical Steel for known nickel allergies, as it contains 12–14% nickel in its alloy structure.

Standard piercing gauges vary by location: Ear lobes are typically 20G–16G (0.8–1.2mm), cartilage and nostril are 18G–16G (1.0–1.2mm), navel and eyebrow are 14G (1.6mm), nipple is 14G–12G (1.6–2.0mm), septum is 16G–14G (1.2–1.6mm), and tongue is 14G (1.6mm). Always confirm your current gauge with your piercer before purchasing new jewelry — stretching to a larger gauge should be done gradually by a professional.

Healing times vary significantly by location and individual factors. Ear lobes: 6–8 weeks. Cartilage (helix, conch, daith): 6–12 months. Nostril: 4–6 months. Septum: 6–8 weeks. Lip/Labret: 6–12 weeks. Navel: 6–12 months. Nipple: 6–12 months (can take up to 18 months for full maturation). These are guidelines only — your actual healing time depends on aftercare consistency, general health, and whether you experience any complications.

We strongly advise against changing jewelry during the healing period unless medically necessary (downsizing by a piercer to prevent snagging is the exception). Removing jewelry before the fistula (piercing channel) has fully formed can cause the hole to close within hours — sometimes minutes for newer piercings. Wait until your piercing is fully healed and has been assessed by a professional piercer before changing jewelry.

Threadless (push-pin) jewelry uses a tension-fit mechanism: a slightly bent pin on the decorative top inserts into a hollow post and is held by spring tension — no threads at all. This means nothing to cross-thread, strip, or trap bacteria. Internally-threaded jewelry has the threads machined into the inside of the bar/post, with the decorative end screwing in. This eliminates exposed external threads that can irritate the piercing channel. Both are superior to externally-threaded jewelry, which has exposed threads on the bar that can damage tissue during insertion and harbor bacteria.

While both ASTM F136 titanium and ASTM F138 surgical steel are implant-grade materials, titanium has three key advantages: (1) Titanium is completely nickel-free, while surgical steel contains 12–14% nickel — safe for most people but not those with nickel sensitivity; (2) Titanium is ~45% lighter than steel, making it more comfortable for long-term wear; (3) Titanium can be anodized to create vibrant colors (blue, purple, gold, rose, teal) through electrochemical oxide layer formation — no coatings, no plating, no risk of flaking. Steel requires PVD coating for color, which can wear over time.

Daily care: Clean your jewelry with warm water and mild, fragrance-free soap. Dry thoroughly with a lint-free cloth. For healing piercings: Use sterile saline spray (0.9% sodium chloride) twice daily — no DIY salt solutions, no alcohol, no hydrogen peroxide. Storage: Store jewelry separately to prevent scratching. Titanium and gold pieces can be stored together. Silver should be kept in an anti-tarnish bag. Professional cleaning: 14K gold can be ultrasonically cleaned. Titanium should not be ultrasonically cleaned if anodized. Visit your piercer for professional jewelry assessment and cleaning every 6 months.

PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) is a vacuum coating process that deposits a thin layer of material — typically titanium nitride or zirconium nitride — onto jewelry to create gold, rose gold, or black finishes on surgical steel. PVD is considered body-safe when done properly: the coating is inert and does not react with tissue. However, PVD coatings can wear or scratch over time (typically 1–3 years with daily wear), revealing the base material underneath. For permanent color, we recommend anodized titanium — the color is created by altering the oxide layer of the titanium itself, so there is no coating to wear off.

Yes. Piercova ships worldwide from our fulfillment center in Yiwu, Zhejiang, China. Standard international shipping takes 10–20 business days. Express shipping (DHL/FedEx) takes 3–7 business days. All orders include tracking. Customs duties and import taxes are the responsibility of the buyer and vary by destination country. Please check your local regulations before ordering, as some countries have restrictions on jewelry imports.

For hygiene reasons, body jewelry cannot be returned once opened, as we cannot verify it has not been worn or contaminated. This is standard industry practice. We offer returns on unopened, sealed items within 30 days of delivery. If you receive a defective item, contact us at [email protected] within 7 days with photos, and we will replace it at no cost. We strongly recommend confirming your gauge size and piercing type before ordering.