Felicia

Body jewelry guide

Choosing Titanium and Steel Body Jewelry

Body jewelry is more than decoration. Material, dimensions, finish, threading, placement, and whether the piercing is healed all affect what may be suitable.

By Felicia · Tattooist & piercerUpdated August 8, 2026

The short answer

Choose for the piercing first, then for the look.

Felicia's selection is mainly titanium and steel. The right piece must fit the placement and your anatomy, and jewelry for a fresh piercing has stricter requirements than jewelry for a fully healed one.

“Titanium” and “steel” are not complete specifications

Those names describe broad material categories. For a fresh or healing piercing, the exact grade and documentation matter. Surface finish, construction, dimensions, and sterilization suitability also affect whether a piece is appropriate.

Ask before assuming

Felicia can confirm the material, available sizes, style, price, and whether a specific piece is intended for a fresh or healed piercing. The website does not label any item “implant-grade” unless its specification has been verified.

Four things to get right

  1. MaterialThe exact metal specification matters, particularly for a fresh piercing or known sensitivity.
  2. FitLength, diameter, and gauge need to suit both your anatomy and the piercing placement.
  3. FinishThe wearable surface should be smooth and free from damage that could irritate tissue or collect debris.
  4. ConstructionThreadless and internally threaded designs keep exposed threading away from the piercing channel during insertion.

Titanium or steel?

Titanium

Lightweight and versatile

Certified titanium is commonly selected for initial and long-term piercing jewelry. It can also be anodized into different colors without adding a surface coating.

Steel

Specification matters

“Surgical steel” can refer to different alloys. Only particular documented grades are considered appropriate for initial piercings, so the label alone is not enough.

What to include in a jewelry inquiry

  • The piercing placement
  • Whether the piercing is new, healing, or fully healed
  • Your current jewelry size, if known
  • The material, style, and color you are looking for
  • Any known metal sensitivity or recurring irritation
  • A clear photo only if Felicia asks for one through an agreed channel

Do not remove a healing piercing simply to measure it. Ask Felicia how to confirm the size safely.

Sources and further reading

Available inventory and product specifications must be confirmed directly. This guide does not diagnose metal allergy or piercing complications.