ASTM F136 Titanium vs. 14K Gold: Which Is Right for You?

The two metals we recommend most often for piercings are implant-grade titanium and solid 14K gold. Both are safe, comfortable choices for a fresh or healed piercing. The right one for you comes down to your skin, your style and your budget.

ASTM F136 titanium

ASTM F136 is the international standard for titanium used in surgical implants. Titanium made to this standard has a controlled composition and finish, so you know exactly what is going into your body.

• Nickel-free, which makes it a safe choice for sensitive skin and nickel allergies.
• Lightweight, so it stays comfortable on cartilage and in a full ear stack.
• Won't tarnish or rust, even with daily wear, sweat and showers.
• Can be anodised in gold and other colours without affecting its safety. Anodised colours can soften over time with friction. This is not harmful.
• More affordable than solid gold, so it's easy to build a stack piece by piece.

Solid 14K gold

14K gold is 58.5% pure gold, alloyed with other metals for strength. Pure 24K gold is too soft to hold its shape in a piercing, so 14K is the standard for fine body jewelry.

• Solid, not plated. The colour goes all the way through, so it won't wear off or flake.
• A warm, rich colour that you can't quite get from anodised titanium.
• Heavier than titanium, which many people love for the feel of fine jewelry.
• Suitable for fresh piercings when it's solid, high-quality gold made for body jewelry.
• An investment piece. Gold costs more, but it's made to be worn for years.

If you have a known metal sensitivity, tell your piercer before choosing gold, so we can recommend the safest option for you.

Quick comparison

• Sensitive skin: titanium is the safest choice.
• Colour: titanium is silver, or anodised gold; 14K gold is true yellow, rose or white gold.
• Weight: titanium is lighter; gold has a weightier, fine-jewelry feel.
• Price: titanium is more affordable; gold is an investment.

What about surgical steel?

Surgical steel is also used for piercings and is fine for fresh piercings on non-sensitive skin. It contains a small amount of nickel, so if your skin is sensitive or you have reacted to metal before, choose titanium or solid gold instead.

Not sure which to choose?

Every product page lists its metal, so you always know what you're wearing. Browse titanium or 14K gold, or ask our team on WhatsApp and we'll help you choose.