Everyone has different ideas of what looks good. Everyone's body has different ideas of what it will accept or reject. Buying body jewelry is a little more complicated than just picking what looks nice. You need to choose the correct gauge, size and material. This will help you to choose the jewelry material best suited to your own needs.

Surgical Stainless Steel
Surgical Stainless Steel (SSS) is by far the most common, most readily available and least expensive body jewelry metal. Unfortunately, many people experience allergic intolerance to this metal because of its nickel content. If you don't have any trouble wearing SSS, there are a lot of places you can find it.

• Top SSS Body Jewelry Retailers

Niobium
Niobium, although naturally occurring, is usually anodized when made into body jewelry, which gives it the wide spectrum of colors. Although it tends to have a lower risk of allergy than SSS, it is not recommended for initial piercings. Niobium jewelry should be reserved for healed piercings.

• Top Niobium Jewelry Retailers

Titanium
Titanium has been heralded as the most effective metal used in body jewelry due to its biocompatibility. With virtually nickel-free properties, titanium has less incidences of skin allergy than any other metal. It is also more durable and almost indestructible. Most titanium jewelry goes through a process called anodizing, which creates the different colors. Titanium jewelry is more expensive than others, but is certainly worth it for those with nickel allergies.

• Top Titanium Jewelry Retailers

Glass (Pyrex)
Glass body jewelry is somewhat rare and a very attractive form of adornment. Although it has little to no allergy occurrance rate, glass can be heavy to wear for long periods of time and may cause mild discomfort. Pyrex jewelry can come in a wide variety of colors and shapes.

• Top Glass Jewelry Retailers

Wood & Other Natural Elements
Body jewelry made from natural products is very beautiful and comes in a wide variety of colors and styles. However, this jewelry should be reserved for well-healed piercings only. Even natural things can sometimes irritate a wound.

• Top Natural Jewelry Retailers

Acrylic
Acrylic is obviously also nickel-free and is virtually allergy resistant. However, some wearers report that acrylic should only be worn for short periods of time. Acrylic tends to "suffocate" the skin and cause sweating which can result in discomfort and an unpleasant odor.

• Top Acrylic Jewelry Retailers