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 Vacuum Melting. It is not part of the ASTM F-138 specification. Vacuum 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 vacuum melted. There is no definitive, ASTM method to test for vacuum melting.

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.

* Titanium can be polished to a high luster resembling that of 316L Implant Grade Stainless Steel. It can also be colored 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 spectrum of vivid metallic colors 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.

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 most of the silver designs. Unlike imposters out there who only do a silver coating, our Silver designs are truly Sterling Silver.

Teflon (PTFE, polytetrafluoroethylene) - Teflon is an inert wear-resistant, slippery and flexible plastic, and has been used extensively as a component of permanent and temporary surgical implants.

Benefits of PTFE:
1) Can be Sterilized with Autoclave
2) Totally Flexible - It will bend with your body tissues unlike all metal Jewelry.
3) Hypo-allergenic - Being one of the least allergic materials, P.T.F.E. is used in the medical industry to make Heart Valves and other surgical implants. Should there be a problem of allergic reaction or rejection to conventional metal jewelry, it is likely that PTFE Body Jewelry is now a practical choice for that person under any circumstances.
4) Fully Adjustable- A razorblade is all that is needed to adjust the bar to the exact size of your piercing!
5) Self Threading - PTFE bars will fit all threaded accessories that you may already own! Simply screw-on your accessory (balls, spikes, etc...) on to a PTFE bar. It will create a thread on the bar and will hold strongly.

NYLON POLYMIDE MONOFILAMENT - Monofilament is used in medical applications, in wig making and most commonly known, fishing line. Monofilament is a single strand (hence... mono) of nylon. There is nothing to fragment or splinter. The type of monofilament we use is called monofilament nylon polyamide. It is strong flexible and non-biodegradable (will not break down even with prolonged wear in the human body). This is the same material used in non-absorbable suture material. Monofilament nylon polymide is listed with the FDA as 'non-absorbable suture materials' under nylon - listing no - A 100568.