is dedicated to bringing you the latest styles of body jewelry. We are committed to the highest quality materials and workmanship that makes our jewelry.ASTM - American Society for Testing and Materials www.astm.org ISO - International Organization of Standardization www.iso.ch The ASTM and ISO are standardization organizations that are made up of representatives from government, academia and the private sector. They develop procedures, specifications and criteria to be applied to materials, the manufacture of products and the testing and analysis of those materials and products. These organizations exist to benefit society as a whole and to promote health and safety. 316L ASTM F-138-03 - 99% of our jewelry is manufactured using 316L IMPLANT GRADE steel unless otherwise noted. 316L is the most widely used because it is affordable, durable and non-corrosive. All of our steel jewelry is precision machined, gently tapered and mirror polished. 316L(VM) ASTM F-138-03 * ISO:5832-1 - VM stands for Vacum Melting. It is not part of the ASTM F-138 specification. Vacum Melting means that the metal has been melted or alloyed in a vacuum, thereby limiting outside contaminants and reducing includions within the metal. This makes the metal more pure. VM is not required for 316L to pass implant standards. There isn't a lab test that can be performed to determine whether or not a metal has been vacum melted. There is no definitive, ASTM method to test for vacuum melting. Be sure you are getting 316LVM, buy from reputable dealers. TITANIUM 6ALV-ELI ASTM F-136-02 (Grade 23) - We use 6AL4V-ELi IMPLANT GRADE titanium in all of our titanium body jewelry. Titanium is becoming the metal of choice for most piercers. Because of its superior machinability and lighter weight (45% lighter than steel) and almost completely hypo-allergenic, Titanium is most ideal for individuals sensitive to other materials. TITANIUM 6AL4V ASTM F-136-02 (Grade 5) The essential difference between Ti6Al4V ELI (grade 23) and Ti6Al4V (grade 5) is the reduction of oxygen content to 0.13% (maximum) in grade 23. This confers improved ductility and fracture toughness, with some reduction in strength. * Titainum can be polished to a high luster resembling that of 316L Implant Grade Stainless Steel. It can also be coloured by a process called ANODIZATION. Anodizing is a process whereby an electrical current is passed through the metal. Oxides build on the surface of the metal, and as light is refracted through this film, a wide specturm of vivid metallic colours are seen. NIOBIUM - Niobium is a pure element- not an alloy. In this Natural state it is completely hypoallergenic and easy to bend making it ideal for use in jewelry applications. READ MORE INFO ABOUT GLASS HERE!!!! - GLASS INFORMATION LOTS MORE INFORMATION ON GLASS GLASS - Glass is a group of materials that are non-organic, super-cooled liquids. Glass is odorless, impermeable, physically and chemically stable, acid and alkali resistant, transparent, easy to clean and hygienic. Different glass types have different chemical compositions and working characteristics. Colorants are added in the form of metal oxides and generally consist of less than 1% of the glass composition. Gorilla Glass uses three types of glass in production. SODA LIME GLASS - The most common glass type with a wide variety of everyday uses, including food and beverage containers, window panes, and art glass. Soda Lime glass comes in a wide range of opaque and transparent colors, and can be autoclaved without problems. Soda Lime Glass is 60-70% silica, 12-18% Soda, and 5-12% lime. BOROSILICATE GLASS - Borosilicate is a specialty glass that has a high resistance to thermal shock and good chemical stability, making it ideal for bake ware and laboratory equipment. Brand names of borosilicate include Pyrex, Kimax, Simax, and Schott-Duran. Borosilicate glass types contain minimum of 5% boric oxide. OBSIDIAN - Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass. Obsidian is usually black, but can also be very dark red, green, or gray. Gorilla Glass uses JET BLACK obsidian from Central Mexico.
STERLING SILVER - Sterling Silvers chemical composition doesn't allow it to be used for components that are inserted into the body. All of our sterling silver jewelry has a surgical steel shaft which it is attached to. Our Silver carries the hallmark .925 stamp which you can actually see on the silver designs. Unlike imposters out there who only do a silver coating, our Silver designs are truely Sterling Silver. |