Can I wear silver jewelry in a new piercing?

ZKZ Editorial TeamMain answer · Product & gemmology desk

Do not put sterling silver jewelry in a fresh piercing. Professional piercer bodies list specific materials for initial piercings, and sterling silver is not among them. This is a health question, so ask the piercer who did the piercing what to wear during healing, and what to do if the area becomes sore, swollen or red.

What piercer guidance says

Fact The Association of Professional Piercers (APP) says jewelry worn in a fresh piercing sits inside a wound in contact with internal tissue, so only certain products are suitable, and the look of the jewelry must come second to safety and compatibility. It lists these materials as appropriate for initial piercings: certain grades of surgical steel, implant-grade titanium, niobium, gold of 14 karat or higher that is nickel- and cadmium-free, platinum, and certain glass.

Fact The APP states that gold-plated, gold-filled, gold overlay and vermeil jewelry is not acceptable for fresh piercings, because the thin gold layer over a base metal can wear or chip off.

Fact The APP also says that surfaces must be free of nicks, scratches, burrs and polishing compounds, that gemstone settings must be of high quality, and that if a stone falls out, the whole piece needs to be replaced, because the hole can harbour bacteria.

Uncertain Sterling silver is not on the APP list. We cannot give medical advice, and we do not claim a specific reaction in each person, so the safe course is to follow your piercer's instructions for the initial jewelry.

What this means in practice

• Leave the jewelry that the piercer fitted in place for the healing period they advise.
• Do not change it early to a decorative piece, because the piercing can close or become irritated.
• After the piercing has healed, ask the piercer whether and when a silver or diamond piece is suitable.

When to get help

Our advice If a piercing is very red, hot, painful, swollen, has discharge or you have a fever, contact a doctor. Do not remove the jewelry on your own without advice, because it may trap an infection, and a piercer or doctor can advise.

Choosing diamond jewelry once healed

It depends When the piercer says the piercing is healed, choose posts and backs that suit the thickness of the piercing. A fine silver post can be softer and thinner than the piercing, so ask about the post gauge.

Our advice Choose a flat-back or secure back that does not press on the ear. Take the jewelry out and clean it regularly, and watch for itching or redness, which can signal a metal reaction.

Related reading: How to Stop Silver Earrings From Irritating Your Ears · Silver Earrings for Sensitive Ears: Studs, Hoops and Hypoallergenic Options · Diamond Earrings for Sensitive Ears: Metal and Back Choices

Sources

• Association of Professional Piercers, Jewelry for initial piercings
• Association of Professional Piercers, jewelry standards
• ECHA, REACH restriction on nickel in articles intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin (entry 27)

Fact = stated by the cited source. Our advice = editorial recommendation. Uncertain / it depends = limits of what can be said in general.