Distinguishing between titanium and stainless steel is important, both for aesthetic and health reasons. Here are some basic criteria to differentiate between these two popular metals:
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Weight : Titanium is remarkably lightweight compared to stainless steel. This lightness provides superior comfort, especially important for body jewelry worn for long periods of time. If you hold a titanium piercing in one hand, with a very similar size to a stainless steel piercing in the other hand, you will notice a slight difference in weight.
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Appearance : While both metals are aesthetically pleasing with their metallic sheen and mirror finish, titanium offers a wider range of finishes. Titanium will, however, be slightly duller than a steel piece of jewelry.
Titanium jewelry can feature a variety of iridescent colors achieved through anodizing, while stainless steel typically sports a shiny silver hue.
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Magnetic Properties : Stainless steel can exhibit mild magnetic properties, depending on its composition. Titanium, on the other hand, is completely non-magnetic, which can be an advantage in environments where magnetic interference must be avoided (scanners, MRIs, airports, etc.)
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Corrosion Resistance : Titanium excels in its exceptional resistance to corrosion, virtually never rusting, even in humid or salty environments. Stainless steel is also resistant to corrosion, but can, in some cases, under extreme conditions, show signs of degradation and begin to rust.
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Initial and replacement jewelry
First pose
The first pose refers to the jewelry used when making a new piercing. For a jewel to be implantable, it is important to choose hypoallergenic and corrosion-resistant materials, such as surgical steel compliant with ASTM F138 or titanium compliant with ASTM F136. It is also ideal to have a jewel with an internal screw thread in order to eliminate any irritation that could be caused by the friction of it in the canal. This is in no way an obligation, it is a plus, whether it is for the healing of your ear, or any part of the body (tongue, nose, navel, etc.)
Titanium is often considered the best choice for initial jewelry fittings due to its hypoallergenicity and corrosion resistance in addition to being incredibly lightweight and comfortable.
There are more materials for your piercing such as silver, gold, platinum, acrylic or silicone, glass, stone and wood. However, each material is not implantable and are generally reserved for specific products. Wood, glass, silicone, acrylic or stone are generally reserved for expanders. As for silver, gold or platinum, they are more used for very well healed piercings but rarely as fitting jewelry.

Replacement
Once the piercing has healed, you can choose replacement jewelry based on your aesthetic preferences and tolerance to different materials. Surgical steel and titanium jewelry are still great options, but you can also consider other materials like gold, silver, plastic, acrylic, silicone, or wood, depending on your taste and how your body reacts to these materials.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing piercing jewelry, whether it’s for your belly button, nose, or ears, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each material. Surgical steel and titanium are two popular options due to their resistance to corrosion and compatibility with the human body. Titanium is often considered the best choice for initial piercing jewelry, while surgical steel can be a more economical option for replacement jewelry. No matter which material you choose, be sure to consider quality standards and how your body reacts to different materials.
To go further:
Titanium Piercing: Why Does Quality Make All the Difference?